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Dave Hadfield

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Dave Hadfield

Dave Hadfield was a schoolboy convert to rugby league, the game which, one way or another, has dominated his life ever since. After working for newspapers in Shropshire and Blackpool (where he covered the fortunes of Blackpool Borough) he travelled the world, working mainly in Hong Kong and Sydney. He became The Independent's rugby league man in 1990 and has written five books on the game and broadcast extensively for Sky and the BBC. Dave played his last game at the age of 53 and would have set up a try if anyone could have been bothered supporting his break. When not blogging on the sport, he now limits himself to a bit of tick and pass with his local club, the Bolton Mets. Family includes supporters - of varying degrees of dedication - of Salford, Wigan, Sheffield Eagles and St George Illawarra.

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Rugby League: Joel Monaghan let off the leash, Sport

Rugby League: Joel Monaghan let off the leash

You might have expected Warrington to try to muzzle Joel Monaghan this week – but not a bit of it.
In case you missed it, Monaghan is the Australian player whose spot of bother with a dog has seen him depart those shores for a new lease of life over here.
It was brave on his part [...]

By | Sport | Wednesday, 19 January 2011 at 5:30 pm

Rugby League: When does a player become too old?, Sport

Rugby League: When does a player become too old?

There was much to enjoy at the BARLA Lancashire Cup final last Friday, not least a familiar face proving that rugby league is not always a young man’s game.

By | Sport | Wednesday, 12 January 2011 at 12:49 pm

Rugby League: Overseas recruits are a lottery, Sport

Rugby League: Overseas recruits are a lottery

Bradford’s decision to get rid of Glen Hall one year into a three year contract is a reminder that overseas recruitment is not a precise science.

By | Sport | Thursday, 6 January 2011 at 1:58 pm

Rugby League: New Year wish list, Sport

Rugby League: New Year wish list

Another New Year. No resolutions, just a short wish list.
1. That the lads who recently beat the Australian Schoolboys get the opportunities they deserve in Super League. They aren’t all ready, but several certainly are. Besides, if the price of playing 18 year old Englishmen rather than 33 year old Australians is that Super League [...]

By | Sport | Wednesday, 29 December 2010 at 2:22 pm

Winter rugby’s snow joke, Sport

Winter rugby’s snow joke

Not much chance of any action on the field over Christmas, I’m afraid. Mind you, I suppose it might come as a surprise to you that there was due to be any.

By | Sport | Wednesday, 22 December 2010 at 1:34 pm

Rugby League: Last-minute Christmas gift ideas, Sport

Rugby League: Last-minute Christmas gift ideas

I’ve actually been asked this week for a few last minute Christmas present suggestions.
Well, this doesn’t count as last-minute in my book; that would be next week. But, ignoring that quibble for a moment, there is some good stuff around this year.
If your intended recipient is a St Helens fan, or even uncommitted, the choice [...]

By | Sport | Thursday, 16 December 2010 at 4:06 pm

Rugby League: All roads lead to Leigh

What would rugby league have done without Leigh this last couple of weeks?
Amid the ravages of the early winter, it seems that the A579 corridor has been the only place in the country capable of staging matches.
The Academy international against the Australian Schoolboys was switched there from Barrow, as was the Universities Test from the [...]

By | Sport | Thursday, 9 December 2010 at 12:38 pm

Rugby league: 2013 World Cup draw is contrived, Sport

Rugby league: 2013 World Cup draw is contrived

It was hard yesterday to get your head around a tournament that is almost three years away.

By | Sport | Wednesday, 1 December 2010 at 12:36 pm

Rugby League: Spacemen, Turkeys and The Donkey Derby, Sport

Rugby League: Spacemen, Turkeys and The Donkey Derby

Since last blogging from the town of Lismore in NSW, complaing about the dearth of truly evocative club names in Australian country rugby league, I’ve had word from an old mate, Jim Marr, asking what about the Parkes Spacemen and someone called the pumpkin-pickers.

By | Sport | Wednesday, 24 November 2010 at 5:53 pm

Rugby League: Visiting the Turkeys down under

I’ve bemoaned previously that country rugby league in Australia, whatever its other virtues, is a bit short of imagination in naming its teams.
Generally, they tend to just borrow the Sydney names and call themselves Tigers or Magpies or some such.
That was why I could hardly resist the chance to visit the Kyogle Turkeys, who are [...]

By | Sport | Thursday, 18 November 2010 at 1:24 pm

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