Rugby League: Wigan Reveal Ashton Transfer Details
To try to placate fans, Wigan have revealed the financial reasons for Chris Ashton's move to union.
Wigan's chairman Maurice Lindsay yesterday took the unusual step of revealing the financial details of Chris Ashton's move to rugby union in an effort to placate the Warriors supporters ahead of the loss of another local youngster.
Lindsay announced on the club's website, before a shareholders' meeting yesterday morning, that the 19-year-old full-back will join Northampton at the end of the 2007 Super League season on a contract worth £140,000 per year - more than twice the figure that Wigan could allocate him out of their £1.6m salary cap.
"We like Chris a lot and did not want him to go to rugby union," said Lindsay, revealing that Wigan had offered him a two-year deal higher than those negotiated with the club captain Sean O'Loughlin and fellow Great Britain international Gareth Hock at a comparable stage of their careers.
"[But] to make Chris one of the highest earners in the club would have been difficult to explain to some of the other players who are at least playing for Great Britain. We think he is making a mistake, and knowing rugby union as I do they will put unfair pressure on him."
Wigan's coach Brian Noble also questioned Ashton's move , but admitted that his departure, which follows those of Karl Pryce and Chev Walker to union last year and Brian Carney's move to Munster only last week, is a blow to the code.
Warrington will discover today the extent of the latest facial injury suffered by the Great Britain prop Adrian Morley in Sunday's 30-12 win over Hull Kingston Rovers. Rovers are relieved though with news their Australian captain James Webster has been cleared of a suspected broken ankle. He will still miss Friday's trip to St Helens and a Challenge Cup rematch at Warrington on Saturday week, but hopes to return for the derby against Hull FC on Easter Monday - officially declared a 23,000 sell-out yesterday. Hull's centre Sid Domic will appear at a disciplinary hearing today on a charge of striking in Saturday's 24-12 win against St Helens.
Lindsay announced on the club's website, before a shareholders' meeting yesterday morning, that the 19-year-old full-back will join Northampton at the end of the 2007 Super League season on a contract worth £140,000 per year - more than twice the figure that Wigan could allocate him out of their £1.6m salary cap.
"We like Chris a lot and did not want him to go to rugby union," said Lindsay, revealing that Wigan had offered him a two-year deal higher than those negotiated with the club captain Sean O'Loughlin and fellow Great Britain international Gareth Hock at a comparable stage of their careers.
"[But] to make Chris one of the highest earners in the club would have been difficult to explain to some of the other players who are at least playing for Great Britain. We think he is making a mistake, and knowing rugby union as I do they will put unfair pressure on him."
Wigan's coach Brian Noble also questioned Ashton's move , but admitted that his departure, which follows those of Karl Pryce and Chev Walker to union last year and Brian Carney's move to Munster only last week, is a blow to the code.
Warrington will discover today the extent of the latest facial injury suffered by the Great Britain prop Adrian Morley in Sunday's 30-12 win over Hull Kingston Rovers. Rovers are relieved though with news their Australian captain James Webster has been cleared of a suspected broken ankle. He will still miss Friday's trip to St Helens and a Challenge Cup rematch at Warrington on Saturday week, but hopes to return for the derby against Hull FC on Easter Monday - officially declared a 23,000 sell-out yesterday. Hull's centre Sid Domic will appear at a disciplinary hearing today on a charge of striking in Saturday's 24-12 win against St Helens.
Use the feedback form below to submit your comments.
Use the form below to email this article to your friends.
- Warriors Delay Game for United Visit to Jjb
- Wigan Cast Around As Barrett Seeks a Way Out
- Bruce Begins to Clear Wigan Decks
- Buoyant Pompey Need Defoe Alternative at Wembley
- Wigan Heal Good Friday Wounds
- Bentley Drives Rovers With Timely Display
- Death of Ashton Will Unite Saints and Wigan in Mourning
- Wigan See Best of Reformed King of Bling
- Ireland Line Up Richards for World Cup Duty
- Warriors Plan Jjb Switch As Whelan Moves to Relay Pitch
- Penny May Be Dropped But the Star of Wolves Youngster is on the Rise
- Wigan Game Top Priority - Megson
- Bailey Out of Bradford Game for Dangerous Throw
- Judgment of Jewell in Doubt After Derby's Woes Deepen
- Bosc Puts the Boot Into Cas
- Reid Helps Sunderland's Learner Drivers Steer Clear of Relegation
- Lenagan Curses the Luck of a Quick Return to Quins
- Paleaaesina to Play As Trial Looms
- Pitch Battles Show Wigan an Obvious Route to Safety
- Wigan Athletic 0 - 2 Everton