Third time lucky!
Thatβs the scenario for Hunslet head coach Gary Thornton and prop Zach Johnson after the latter put pen to paper on a one-year deal with the Betfred League 1 title hopefuls.
Johnson, 28, who will in the side for Sundayβs pre-season hit-out with Bradford Bulls at the South Leeds Stadium (3.00pm) – when every available member of the squad will be granted game-time – has been in Thorntonβs eye-line for some time but, for one reason or another, has never previously come under the wing of the wily Hunslet boss.
He said: βGT and I have spoken regularly over the years. He tried to sign me a few times but nothing came of our previous discussions, when he was at York and I was playing for Swinton and, later, when he was at Doncaster and I was with Dewsbury.
βThis time we had a coffee and a good chat and it all came together. Iβm maybe in my prime right now. Iβve got plenty of experience behind me, Iβve recently enjoyed a spell at Thornhill in the National Conference League, and Iβve got several good years left in the tank.β
He continued: βI bring a lot of go-forward and aggression, plus I can help bring on the younger players in the side.
βThe spirit here is superb. Everyoneβs bought into a collective unit, rather than us being a bunch of 17 super-stars. Weβre hopefully putting in building blocks for the long-term, and weβre aiming to return to the Championship.β
He concluded: βItβs good to be back. I spent four games here on loan a few years ago, under Matt Bramald, when I played through a rib cartilage injury. This time Iβm fully fit and raring to go, and Iβm really looking forward to Sundayβs game. Itβs a match weβre aiming to win; it may be classed as a friendly but the reality is that thereβs no such thing as a friendly in Rugby League, plus weβre all aiming to make in impression in the build-up to the start of the League 1 campaign on February.β
Thornton said: βZach is very experienced, a big strong prop who will complement our younger guys.
βWe have a real mixture in the front row which gives us lots of options.
βHe knows that, having had a spell out of the pro ranks, he has to be on top of his fitness levels to push himself into the team but he has shown a great attitude to pre-season training and heβs chomping at the bit to show what he can do in the warm-up games.
βHe will provide a big challenge to the other front rowers and we now have plenty of competition for places.β
Hunslet have introduced a number of attractive packages to suit all requirements and budgets, ranging from the recently-launched `Spirit of 73β Geoff Gunney Membership (in homage to the all-time great who helped launch New Hunslet following the sale of Parkside in 1973), which costs from Β£5 per month, to the Β£50 per month Frank Watson VIP membership, which secures a season ticket, match-day hospitality and a seat at the directorsβ table at an away match.
The Graham King Gold Membership, at Β£26 per month, secures a season ticket and other benefits, while the Mick Coyle Silver Membership (Β£21 per month) offers a Β£50 discount off a season ticket, plus benefits.
Hunslet have also pegged season tickets at 2019 prices at Β£120 (Β£70 concessions, under 16s free).
All packages can be purchased online by visiting hunsletrlfc.com, by ringing 0113 271 2730, or by calling at the clubβs offices at the South Leeds Stadium.
All the best for the season ahead Zach.