Titanium_BD1103
08-12-05, 06:40 PM
From Foxsports.com.au
Titans hopeful of British signing
December 8, 2005
THE Christmas shopping list at budding NRL club the Gold Coast Titans just got longer.
Titans managing director Michael Searle and head coach John Cartwright have returned from a 12-day visit of the UK hopeful of pulling off a signing coup that would fill them with ample festive cheer ? Great Britain utility Sean O'Loughlin.
The Wigan backrower was one of seven players approached by the Titans contingent during the recent whirlwind UK trip as they count down to their 2007 NRL arrival.
Searle said O'Loughlin and "another player" were offered deals but would not know their final answer until after Christmas.
Bradford prop Stuart Fielden also spoke with the Titans but he is considered a "long term" prospect as he does not come off contract until 2008.
"We're happy because we've come back with player lists from most of the clubs," Cartwright said.
"We were able to look at a few players and bring back some DVDs so that we can do our homework before making a move."
The Titans duo also used the trip as a fact-finding mission, visiting English Super League clubs Wigan, St Helens, Leeds and Les Catalans "checking out systems, facilities and players".
Cartwright said he focussed on training facilities while Searle looked at the "commercial side" of each club.
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Cartwright said Leeds had the best facilities.
"They were so well run and very modern. I certainly felt they were the best we saw and it's something the Titans can aspire towards," he said.
Cartwright also picked the brain of Les Catalans and former Dragons and British coach David Waite.
New French club Les Catalans join the Super League in 2006.
"Spending time with David Waite was sensational because he has been over here for five years setting up everything," Cartwright said.
"We were able to learn a lot from him about setting up our own club."
The Titans are also hoping to purchase a Surfers Paradise bar to be used as a club home base before their major licensed club is built near Robina by 2008.
Meanwhile, former Test backrower Bryan Fletcher has arrived at new club Wigan for pre-season training.
The ex-NSW Origin forward admitted he nearly joined Wigan earlier this year after the injury to forward Luke Davico ? but his NRL club South Sydney refused the move.
"Wigan came in for me right back at the start of the year after Luke Davico had been injured," Fletcher told the Wigan website.
"(Wigan boss) Maurice Lindsay contacted my agent and to be honest I fancied the move there and then ? but Souths didn't come to the party.
"To be fair to them though, I had a year left on my contract so I stayed on to see it out."
AAP
Titans hopeful of British signing
December 8, 2005
THE Christmas shopping list at budding NRL club the Gold Coast Titans just got longer.
Titans managing director Michael Searle and head coach John Cartwright have returned from a 12-day visit of the UK hopeful of pulling off a signing coup that would fill them with ample festive cheer ? Great Britain utility Sean O'Loughlin.
The Wigan backrower was one of seven players approached by the Titans contingent during the recent whirlwind UK trip as they count down to their 2007 NRL arrival.
Searle said O'Loughlin and "another player" were offered deals but would not know their final answer until after Christmas.
Bradford prop Stuart Fielden also spoke with the Titans but he is considered a "long term" prospect as he does not come off contract until 2008.
"We're happy because we've come back with player lists from most of the clubs," Cartwright said.
"We were able to look at a few players and bring back some DVDs so that we can do our homework before making a move."
The Titans duo also used the trip as a fact-finding mission, visiting English Super League clubs Wigan, St Helens, Leeds and Les Catalans "checking out systems, facilities and players".
Cartwright said he focussed on training facilities while Searle looked at the "commercial side" of each club.
Advertisement:
Cartwright said Leeds had the best facilities.
"They were so well run and very modern. I certainly felt they were the best we saw and it's something the Titans can aspire towards," he said.
Cartwright also picked the brain of Les Catalans and former Dragons and British coach David Waite.
New French club Les Catalans join the Super League in 2006.
"Spending time with David Waite was sensational because he has been over here for five years setting up everything," Cartwright said.
"We were able to learn a lot from him about setting up our own club."
The Titans are also hoping to purchase a Surfers Paradise bar to be used as a club home base before their major licensed club is built near Robina by 2008.
Meanwhile, former Test backrower Bryan Fletcher has arrived at new club Wigan for pre-season training.
The ex-NSW Origin forward admitted he nearly joined Wigan earlier this year after the injury to forward Luke Davico ? but his NRL club South Sydney refused the move.
"Wigan came in for me right back at the start of the year after Luke Davico had been injured," Fletcher told the Wigan website.
"(Wigan boss) Maurice Lindsay contacted my agent and to be honest I fancied the move there and then ? but Souths didn't come to the party.
"To be fair to them though, I had a year left on my contract so I stayed on to see it out."
AAP