Rochdale Hornets aiming for one last push to Championship as club continues to grow

Rochdale Hornets continue their play-off push in the 2021 Betfred League 1 season and will be aiming for a return to the Championship in 2022.

Matt Calland’s side recruited strongly ahead of the 2021 campaign, including the signings of rugby league cult hero Fuifui Moimoi, Wales international Gavin Bennion and former Swinton half-back Rob Fairclough.

Add that to the likes of club captain Sean Penkywicz, Shaun Ainscough and Ben Moores who were already signed with the club, Hornets were gaining positive publicity ahead of the season start in a campaign that includes teams like Barrow Raiders, Doncaster and Workington Town.

However, a mixture of long-term injuries and Covid-19 has seen the squad impacted throughout the season and head coach Calland has struggled to name a consistent 17 throughout the campaign, but they remain around the play-offs.

Injuries have seen chairman Andy Mazey, who took over the club alongside his board of directors through the 2020 season, bring in the likes of former England international Rangi Chase, winger Shaun Robinson and experienced forward Paul Brearley into the mix.

Sat in sixth spot in the League 1 table, Hornets have just four games (at time of print) to cement a place in the top five to keep their Championship hopes alive and that continues this weekend at North Wales Crusaders.

"The comeback against Hunslet was a strong show of character from the group to come back from 32-16," said Mazey.

"We now need a big week as we head to League 1’s form team in North Wales Crusaders this weekend.

"We have had some good results recently, especially the 44-8 home victory over Doncaster, and we’re now having some key players return to the squad as we push for the play-offs. "Rob Fairclough has shown his skills and leadership since returning from injury and we’re still yet to see Rangi Chase return since breaking his arm in his Hornets debut against Crusaders. We’re hoping to have him back and fit for our play-off push, alongside powerful forward Fuifui Moimoi."

While on the field results seem to be improving, off the field the club and its Foundation has been working hard to spread the game of rugby league while also keeping kids active during the summer holidays.

The Foundation team hosted two full capacity summer camps at the beginning of the summer holidays with more than 100 children attend across the two weeks, including the supply of food and kit thanks to the club’s partners.

"We remain excited and incredibly focused on forward planning to ensure progression on and off the field" added Mazey.

"The Foundation team have been doing some incredible work while the club also has strong women and wheelchair teams representing Hornets.

"The club had officially announced that it would host England’s only warm-up test match ahead of the Rugby League World Cup 2021 against Fiji, as part of the club’s 150th anniversary celebrations.

"While that game is in current discussions due to the postponement of the World Cup until 2022, I believe it shows the progression being made by the club.

"The board came to the club excited, and that excitement remains, and we are all looking to grow and develop with the massive help from our coaching staff, team, the board, key stakeholders, sponsors and just as importantly, the fans."

Josh McAllister

Images: JMSportPix