Last updated at 09:21, Friday, 27 November 2009

EXPECTATIONS have been high at Whitehaven in recent years, occasionally making a mockery of realism, and it could be said that at times Haven have overachieved compared to rivals with more resources.

My impression is that expectations for 2010, on the field at least, are perhaps a little lower due largely to the departure of some key personnel and doubts over whether replacements will prove like for like.

But if there is any pessimism among the fans, it is certainly not shared by club officials. Nor, moreover, by the major sponsors, and their continued support is paramount as I imagine finances are still on a sticky wicket.

Most of the significant happenings just now are behind the scenes with a big eye on what we all hope will be a golden egg future and what news there is this week is definitely good; major sponsors Nuclear Management Partners announce a substantial, increased sponsorship deal for next season.

Sellafield’s overlords intend to play an integral part in the planned Recre renaissance and I, for one, won’t be at all surprised if an even bigger nuclear windfall isn’t too far away as the Pow Beck regeneration scheme begins to take real shape – at last.

And, of course, there’s the little matter of the £500,000 erstwhile BNFL pledged towards a new 1,000-seater grandstand to help meet Super League criteria but with the proviso that it must be linked to the overall project. It won’t be forgotten, I’m sure!

But what’s encouraging is that the “mighty atom” sponsors are looking forward to “another entertaining and exciting year on the pitch and, like the club, we hope this year is a turning point off the field as well as on.”

Haven chairman Dick Raaz, who wears the nuclear badge himself, fully shares and drives the optimism infectiously. The American boss expects Whitehaven players to back the club to the hilt and wear the NMP logo on their shirts with some pride.

How justified or realistic is the optimism on the playing side? If the club’s normally busy fans forums are any barometer, there doesn’t seem to be too many pre-season talking points. Yet Whitehaven has gone about its important business of recruitment carefully and painstakingly without breaking the bank. Which, of course, it can ill afford to do and under the present “recovery regime” will never do.

Sam Thompson, Dylan Skee, Soni Radovanovic, youngsters Scott George, Mark Watson, the return of centre John Patrick, and most recently Mick Govin, are the new names; none of them household with the possible exception of Mr Govin.

Could the man from Halifax prove to be another of the Ged Stokes’ masterstrokes? Quite possibly. Govin played his part in getting Halifax to the 2009 Championship Grand Final, scoring a memorable try in the final loss to Barrow, and he’s still only 25.

Halifax have released the half-back dynamo, not because he’s not good enough but because they have snapped up someone they believe to be better in the shape of well-known Aussie star Luke Branighan. Fax’s loss may well be Haven’s gain.

Stokes says teak-tough Mick is “just the type of player we want” and certainly fills the bill in the competition stakes, hopefully compensating for the loss of Huddersfield-bound Gregg McNally, though there’s still a chance that the Giants might loan him back for another spell.

There are some big boots to fill following the departures of Edmondson, Amor and JT up front, along with McNally and winger Ballard in the backs.

But the new recruits have a great chance to prove their worth, not forgetting lads such as the Fox boys already on the club’s books – and this is what it’s all about for Whitehaven with that eye to the future.

The jury is still out on the new boys but opportunity knocks and who’s to say the verdict won’t be the right one and Ged won’t come up trumps once again?

First published at 15:35, Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Published by http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk