NCL clubs sign semi-pro players

Steven Hughes

Dale Bloomfield in action for Rochdale in 2020. Photo by Jackie Meredith.

NCL sides Waterhead Warriors and Thatto Heath Crusaders have been announcing their transfer business ahead of the 2022 season, with a couple of semi-pro players making the step down.

Waterhead have signed a trio of players who were at Oldham in the Championship last season. Phil Joy, Gareth Owen and Danny Bridge, who all left the club following their relegation, will now appear in NCL Division Three.

The Oldham-based club have also announced current Roughyeds players Callum Cameron and Brad Jinks will also join the coaching setup at the club.

The Warriors were in eighth place in Division Three in 2020 before the season was voided.

In 2021, the Warriors finished second bottom in League C of the reformed competition. They did not end up playing in the post-season.

Meanwhile, Thatto Heath, the reigning champions of the NCL, have also dipped into the part-time players market for 2022.

Connor Dwyer has returned to the club following a two-year stint with Widnes Vikings. Ex Rochdale Hornets winger Dale Bloomfield has also joined the club.

Former Warrington Wolves and Rochdale Hornets halfback Harry Reardon is also back in the game. He has not played since picking up a drugs ban.

In 2017, he was banned for testing positive for anabolic steroids whilst still at Warrington. His ban expires at the end of this month.

Back to normal for the NCL

The NCL announced the season will start again on 5th March 2022, and will revert back to how it was in 2020 before it was voided.

The fixtures ahead of the new season will be announced in due course.

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