Bulldogs’ joy at Mennell deal

BATLEY Bulldogs have received the ideal boost ahead of tomorrow’s eagerly awaited presentation evening with confirmation that popular scrum-half Paul Mennell has agreed to return next season.

Mennell had an outstanding season in 2009, scoring 10 tries and landing 51 goals, before opting to take a year away from the English game to play with the Ipswich Jets in Queensland, Australia.

Although Mennell is due to return from Down Under in November he has delighted Batley bosses by agreeing a new deal for next season.

Bulldogs general manager Paul Harrison said: “Mennell was top of our list and the deal was completed at the beginning of the week and he is a great signing for us.

“We hope that he will return with more experience and as a better player than when he left.”

The news will provide the ideal tonic for Batley supporters, who are invited to The Frontier nightclub tomorrow evening to celebrate a wonderful season for the Bulldogs.

Following the success of the celebrations after Batley’s 25-24 over Widnes Vikings in the Northern Rail Cup final, The Frontier management have again agreed to admit all Batley supporters free of charge, while children will be allowed into the club until 11pm.

Doors will open at 7pm, with the presentation to start around 8pm and this will be followed by a band, The Solicitors.

“We would urge all Batley supporters to come down and show their support in what should be another great night of celebration for the club,” Paul Harrison added.

The majority of last season’s squad will be attending and the Northern Rail Cup will also be there.

Awards up for grabs include player of the year, coach’s player of the year, clubman and the ever popular rear of the year.

It promises to be another week of celebrations for the Mount Pleasant club, as next Tuesday Batley will be represented at the Co-operative Championship awards ceremony in Manchester.

Karl Harrison has been shortlisted in the coach of the year category, alongside Dewsbury’s Warren Jowitt and Daryl Powell, who has guided Featherstone Rovers to the Championship Grand Final at the end of this month.

Gareth Moore has been nominated in the young player of the year, and he will be up against Featherstone duo Zak Hardaker and Sam Smeaton, while Rovers trio Kyle Briggs, Stuart Dickens and Liam Finn are on the shortlist for player of the year.

Paul Harrison added: “To have Batley recognised in these awards is great.

“We are up against Featherstone in every category, and you can’t argue with that as they have been invincible this season, but it is great that Batley have been recognised and has rounded off a fantastic year for us.”

Karl Harrison and Moore will be joined at the ceremony in Manchester by Sean Hasketh and Jonny Campbell, who were both named in the Co-operative Championship team of the year.

Campbell, Moore and Jason Walton have all attracted the attention from Super League clubs but Batley remain in talks with all three in the hope of securing their services for next season.

Meanwhile the club have had an added boost as Ash Lindsay has re-signed this week, while Batley are also in talks with other players with a view to bringing more new faces to Mount Pleasant.

“Karl is still not happy, he is striving for a top six finish and is determined to strengthen the squad further,” Paul Harrison added.

Tickets, priced £25 each, remain available for the president’s celebration dinner at Zucchinis on October 8 – call the club on 01924 470062 for more details.