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HALTON SIGNS FOR THE LIONS

26 October 2018

The club is delighted to announce the signing of prop forward Frankie Halton for the 2019 season.

Credit: Kings Pix

The club is pleased to announce the signing of young prop forward Frankie Halton, who joins the Lions ahead of the 2019 Championship season.

A former Crosfields amateur product, Halton has featured for Leigh Miners this year helping them to earn promotion back to the National Conference Premier Division, plus picked up England Lions U23 representative honours. He also featured briefly for North Wales Crusaders in the early part of the 2016 season on loan from Leigh Centurions.

Halton was also named in England’s 15-man squad for the 2018 Commonwealth Championship in Australia last February, where Alan Coleman’s squad managed to reach the semi-final stage before falling to a 10-8 defeat to Wales. Halton crossed the try line for his country in a group game against Tonga (see below).

Incidentally, all of the games at the tournament were played at Dolphin Stadium, home of Hayden Hansen’s former club before he made the move to the Lions at the start of this year.

On the move, Halton told swintonlionsrlfc.co.uk: “Thanks to Stuart for bringing me to Swinton Lions and for the opportunity.

“I am looking forward to getting stuck into pre-season and proving I can play at Championship level.”

The forward becomes the second new addition to the Lions squad ahead of the 2019 season, alongside former Salford and Batley utility back Daley Williams.

“FRANKIE IS A PLAYER WITH HUGE POTENTIAL”

“Another bright young local prospect, Frankie Halton comes in from Leigh Miners Rangers after a spell at Leigh Reserves,” added Head Coach Stuart Littler, who recently travelled to Ireland to train the international side for their European Championship and 2021 World Cup Qualifiers.

“Frankie is a player with huge potential who is looking for an opportunity to show just what he is about. This pre-season will be massive for Frankie as we aim to bridge the gap between amateur and professional Rugby League.

“When I was at Leigh, Frankie played a big part in the successful reserves set up that was run there. From the disappointment of not earning a first-team contract, Frankie has gone back to grass roots rugby and showed how determined he is and has earned this opportunity with us.

“I am looking forward to working with Frankie who I believe will really develop into a player of significant size and stature.

“Welcome aboard Frankie!”

“I WAS OVER THE MOON WHEN STU TOLD ME HE’D REACHED AN AGREEMENT”

On the latest addition, Chairman Andy Mazey commented: “I was over the moon when Stuart told me he had reached an agreement with Frankie.

“Frankie is a kid Stuart and I both know well from his time at Leigh Centurions and he also spent time with North Wales Crusaders. He is a former Crosfields amateur product and has been going really well at Leigh Miners this year, earning promotion back to the National Conference Premier Division and picking up England Lions U23 representative honours along the way.

“He has spent time with Warrington on scholarship, so is well schooled and is a big unit, standing 6ft2 tall with good ball handling skills and all the traits to become a quality Championship forward once he’s settled in to our environment working under Stuart and Tommy.

“Welcome Frankie!”

You can watch Frankie and the rest of the Lions with 2019 season tickets now ON SALE. 

CONFIRMED 2019 SQUAD

Mike Butt
Ryan Gray
Frankie Halton
Jack Hansen
Rhodri Lloyd
Luke Waterworth
Daley Williams

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