WARRINGTON Wolves are continuing to invest in the future with the signing of a 17-year-old hooker from Wigan St Patrick’s – the former club of Rugby league legends Mike Gregory, Shaun Edwards and Andy Gregory, to name but a few.
Bradley Smith, 17, has joined the Wolves from the renowned amateur club which has also unearthed more recent stars in Sam and Joel Tomkins, and former Wolves player Martin Gleeson, now with Wigan.
With this calibre of players behind the club the signing of Bradley is an exciting one and a great prospect for the future of Warrington Wolves on the field.
Brad is a hooker and a very dynamic player with great potential. He has an added bonus to his game being an excellent goal kicker. The level he has now reached so early in his career comes after the time put in by the coaches whilst at his amateur club including his most recent coach Shaun Selby.
Shaun said: “I started to coach Brad 10 months ago. He stood out as a very talented player. We’ve played to his strengths and let him express himself, just looking at the finer details of his game. It’s brilliant for him to have joined Warrington. There is a history between our clubs and hopefully this move will be a stepping stone to greater things for Brad, to gradually progress into the first team and become an international player of the future.”
Brad added: “It means a lot to me to have joined Warrington. I started playing at Wigan St Pat’s at the age of seven with my dad playing a big part. I’ve already done some training at the Wolves and am settling in. My aim is to play for a top flight club as well as internationally looking up to players like Mickey Higham.”
Ben Lazenby, Player Performance Manager at Warrington Wolves speaks highly of Brad and expects big things from him. “Brad is a very talented young player and that is reflected in the recent success of his community club, Wigan St Patrick’s. However not only is Brad a good player, he is also a good person, and that is very important to us at Warrington Wolves. Our philosophies here at Warrington weigh heavily towards the personal qualities of the player and we look to develop the players as young men as well as footballers.
“A lot of credit must go to Peter Farrell our Head of Talent ID as he initially saw Brad play and introduced him to the club. A lot of work goes into looking after players here at Warrington Wolves both before and after they sign with us, Peter is not only a good judge of talent and character but he really cares about the players, and that is important when developing young men, in any sport”.
Photo: L-R: Shaun Selby, Brad Smith, Ben Lazenby
Wolves swoop for rising star
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About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
