Shackley pens long stay at Haven

Whitehaven have announced the re-signing of prop forward Marc Shackley on a five-year contract.

The deal will see him in the chocolate, blue and gold until the end of the 2022 campaign.

Shackley played a key role in Haven’s 2017 campaign, making 24 appearances after making his debut for the club in the League 1 Cup tie against rivals Workington Town back in February.

And the highly regarded 28-year-old admitted that he was delighted to be staying at the Recreation Ground for five years.

He said: “After last year I didn’t really want to go anywhere with how close this group has become and how close we came to achieving our goal.

“I enjoyed every minute and I thought when I got asked to stay why not make it longer than usual. Hopefully we will go one better this year keeping most of the squad we have and adding quality.”

Whitehaven head coach Carl Forster revealed that he is glad Shackley has decided to stay with the Cumbrian outfit.

“Obviously it’s great to get him on board,” Forster said.

“He’s made a big impression on the team and club in the last 12 months and he’s one of the players we want here for the foreseeable future.

“He’s a leader on the field and that’s what we need with the loss of big players from last year. He’s a great lad and great player so happy his future is with us.”