UNDERBANK Rangers chief Neil Farrell is backing Darren Hawkyard, Simon Burkinshaw and Richard Flooks to make a success of their switch to Swinton Lions.
All three featured for the famous Manchester side in their 56-28 Championship I win over London Skolars after their transfers from Huddersfield’s Conference National club were pushed through.
Winger Flooks notched two tries and second row Hawkyard, whose brother Richie already plays for Swinton, also crossed.
Burkinshaw, who like the two Hawkyards and Flooks, plays his winter rugby for Slaithwaite Saracens, featured at centre.
The departures leave a hole in the Underbank ranks, but team manager Farrell believes the Holmfirth club, who defeated Liverpool Buccaneers 46-16 without the three, will cope.
“It’s a feather in our cap that a club like Swinton have come in for three of our players,” he said.
“Of course we want to be as successful as possible, but you have to look at the bigger picture.
“If we can provide a platform for players to improve themselves, that’s great.
“We already have (former players) Will Midgeley at Oldham, Joe Worthington at Sheffield and Matt Garside at Gateshead.
“With the three lads now going to Swinton, it shows we are providing a good environment and quality coaching.
“Richard Knight is doing a great job, and I’m sure he’ll rise to the challenge of adapting.”
