Houston quits Knights

Newcastle second rower Chris Houston has quit the club after he was arrested and charged with drugs offences.

The 25-year-old former St George player voluntarily terminated his own contract yesterday after he was charged with three counts of supplying ecstasy and one count of supplying cocaine.

Houston follows another former Newcastle player Danny Wicks out of the club after similar charges were laid against him.

In a statement, Houston said that he hoped his decision to leave would help the club in its bid to clean up its reputation with sponsors and supporters.

He said: “I wish to announce that I am voluntarily terminating my playing contract. I have always had and will continue to have high regard for the Knights club, its supporters and its sponsors.

“The Knights have a strict code of conduct which I have always supported. The club has taken enough hits because of these charges.

“Therefore, I feel obligated to disassociate myself from the club until my matter is resolved.

“I hope by resigning and leaving the Knights that these problems will now leave the club and go with me so that my teammates will now be able to focus completely on the 2010 season without distraction, and that the club will remain strong and united.

“I sincerely hope that all sponsors and supporters remain faithful to this great club and region.”

The allegations have already caused reverberations around the club with a number of sponsors apparently considering their position.