By Gary Skentelbery

WARRINGTON Wolves have today confirmed that they have parted company with Head Coach Paul Cullen by "mutual consent."
In a statement Wolves Chairman Lord Hoyle said:“On behalf of Warrington Wolves I wish to thank Paul for all of his services to the club. Paul is Warringtonian through and through and no one could have been more proud wearing the ‘primrose and blue’ than Paul.
"He served the club with distinction for twenty five years as a player, Assistant Coach and finally as Head Coach from  August 2002. We wish Paul well for the future.”
Assistant Coach James Lowes has been appointed as acting Head Coach until a permanent successor is in place.
Cullen's fate was sealed following a run of poor performances, just one league win in the last seven outings,
culminating in the 28-36 home defeat by basement club Castleford Tigers.
Although Cullen tendered his resignation following the game it was no secret that it was a "must win match" if he was to keep his contract.
His existing contract was due for review later this year and it is believed the club will honour it.
The club is now looking to line up a successor.
One name being linked to the club is Graham Murray, ex-Leeds, who recently resigned as Head Coach of North Queensland in Australia, although the Wolves are adament no one has been selected for the role as yet.
A source close to the club said: "I don't think we will be short of applicants as Warrington is a big club with a bright future."
Cullen appeared anxious before the match and realised he had little choice but to tender his resignation after watching his team of big name stars crumble to a patched up Castleford outfit who had not won away from home for two years!

Aussie in frame

By Gary Skentelbery


AUSTRALIAN based Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes has expressed an interest in the coaching job at Warrington following the departure of head coach Paul Cullen following the 28-36 defeat by Castleford on Monday.
Folkes' agent John Fordham, who has close links with Warrington's owner Simon Moran through the Andrew Johns signing of 2005, has made contact with the Wolves and put forward Folkes, (pictured right) who is happy to move to the UK to continue his career.
The Bulldogs have severed ties with Folkes who will leave the club at the end of 2008. The former player has coached the Bulldogs from 1998 and won a grand final with them in 2004, but little success since.
Fordham registered  his interest on behalf of Folkes with Moran by email who says he was looking at another
option initially but would certainly get back to them.
That option is believed to be caretaker coach James Lowes, a former British Test hooker who has been Cullen's assistant.
Meanwhile Cullen has spoken for the first time on Sky Sports about his decision to part company by mutual consent which took 'less than 60 seconds' when he met with chairman Doug Hoyle and benefactor Simon Moran.
He says the meeting was simply a case of "shaking hands and moving on."
Cullen said he felt for the duo because he understood they wanted him to succeed and had not wanted to be in that position.
Cullen said he had "had a hoot" during his six years in charge and expressed no bitterness or regrets.

Morley - season not over yet!

by Gary Skentelbery picture George Thornton

WARRINGTON Wolves captain Adrian Morley says the players must shoulder some of the responsibility for Head Coach Paul Cullen losing his job but has issued a rallying cry saying the season is "not over yet!"
Morley said he had known Cullen for many years, even before joining Warrington and believed he was a "top guy" and was disappointed to see him go.
"But we have got to take the emotion away and get on with the job and get back on the horse and get back to winning ways.
"The players have got to shoulder some of the responsibility. No one has had an outstanding season but it is not over yet."
To see an extended video interview with Morley log on tomorrow.
Picture shows Morley in action against Castleford - the night Cullen lost his job