Hudgell promises mid-season recruitment for Hull KR

Hull KR chairman Neil Hudgell has outlined some of his club’s recruitment strategy for the 2017 season.

The Robins chief outlined that the club have split the coming season into two parts – the regular season and the Middle Eights – and will recruit again before the vital second part of the campaign.

“One thing we won’t do is panic,” Hudgell wrote in a blog on the Hull KR official website.

“There are two challenges to conquer. The league, and then the Super Eights Qualifiers.

“We expect to be in the Qualifiers and intend to significantly strengthen around the mid-season mark.

“What we won’t do is over spend now, and pay the price later. Twenty-five years ago the club did that and it nearly went out of existence.

“Until we understand the full ramifications of relegation we will be cautious with the finances, but without restricting our ambition to bounce back straight off.

“The fact we are able to maintain a full time squad of a very good quality is down to a few reasons.

“It is true that the owners have committed a level of investment but a significant factor is the response from fans and sponsors alike with their renewals, together with some one-off events due at the stadium in the next few months.”

There have been departues from the Robins since the club’s relegation was confirmed, but some have also recommitted to the club.

Hudgell anticipates that more players will do so in the coming weeks too.

“As expected some players are sticking with us, some are not,” he added.

“We’ve seen the likes of Albert Kelly, Terry Campese and Ken Sio all move on, and several more are still up in the air as Tim Sheens looks to assemble his squad.

“Some players have verbally committed to the cause and we will announce those as soon as the ink is dry on the contracts.

“Others may stay, or they may go, the offers are on the table and the ball is really in their court.”