For two members of the Giants camp opportunity knocks – but in very differing circumstances.
For international legend Stuart Fielden he has had to make the tough decision to retire as a player at the age of 33 after being unable to overcome a knee problem, but he now faces the challenge of making his mark as a coach with the Giants.
For 18-year-old Jake Connor, who has taken his first steps at international level with the England Academy set-up, he has been handed a Giants deal until the end of 2016, by which time he will aim to have made the first-team grade – no doubt helped along the way by one Stuart Fielden.
And for the Giants it has to be viewed as a double boost – despite the loss of Fielden’s influence on the field.
Giants managing director Richard Thewlis was delighted to keep Fielden in the camp and said: “No man could have worked harder than Stuart Fielden to shake off his knee infection and it must have been heart-breaking for such a proud man and world class player to have to move on for circumstances beyond his control.
“From first meeting him he has delivered exactly what he promised he would and we are a far better club for his involvement.
“Indeed it was he that took the very first carry of the season and he has been very influential in taking us to a new level and when we have someone of his presence, experience and character who has won consistently at the top level, it made sense to ask him to consider staying with us.
“We are all delighted he has chosen to do so.”
And Thewlis was equally as pleased to have landed Connor adding: “The path to Super League can be a long hard road for a youngster but Jake now has some long-term security and his next goal should be to make his Super League debut.”
Stuart Fielden playing career factfile
Born: September14, 1979 – Halifax
Junior career: Played for Illingworth ARLFC and made his professional debut for Bradford against his hometown club Halifax in May 1998
Club career
Bradford: 1998-06 – Pl 224 Pts 172
Wigan: 2006-12 –Pl 139 Pts 12
Huddersfield: 2013 – Pl 9 Pts 0
Internationals
England: 2000-08 – Pl 10 Pts 0
Great Britain: 2001-06 – Pl 25 Pts 8
