That's not a very pragmatic approach when you have no money, a short squad, and a potentially very valuable asset (playing wise) drawing several thou a month yet confined to the stiffs and juniors.

And it goes without saying that he wouldn't be allowed near the team unless Franny and the players were happy to do so. Cummins in fact said as much in the press report. It's not long ago that Whitehead wanted to play for the team so much he signed a long extension and it is human nature to kiss'n'make up. I don't believe that he has fallen out with his team-mates so wouldn't expect them to veto a return.

I doubt Cummins will be welcoming him back unless Whitehead is prepared to apologise and provide assurances to him and the squad that he's going to give 100%.

I was talking to someone who is close to Luke Gale the other day and they said the players are all 100% behind Cummins. He got a lot of respect after last year so I doubt Whitehead will be welcomed back unless he's properly committed.

Bothered?



Whitehead made a decision. Whether he has been ill-advised by a greedy agent or has just gotten ideas outwith his station, he should be taught a lesson.

Don't want to play? Fair enough then, we will pick someone who does. He thinks he is the big time, so let's bring him down a peg or two.

I can't see Whitehead playing for Dewsbury, and I would suspect FC will know this. FC's comments are insinuating to Whitehead and his agent that the Bulls are prepared to keep him until an agreement is met.

Whitehead will not play for Dewsbury, in fear of collecting a serious injury, which would scupper any chance of a transfer.

FC just wants all to know what the Bulls are prepared to do if this drags on

I think that if he came back in the right circumstances it shows that the club is big enough to accept that one mistake doesn't make a player persona non grata for ever.

As no-one I've ever met, ever has been known to go through life without making a mistake [indeed, it's from those mistakes that we often learn most, I'd guess the other players would be happy to know they were in a caring environment and not one run by some dictatorial fundamentalist, ready to chop off their fingers for the slightest error.

'course, I could be wrong.

If he returns, FC would have to make sure he just doesn't waltz back into the team at the expense of one of our other 2nd rowers.

He would have to prove his worth to his team mates and the fans again before we can all begin to get behind him.

Interesting choice of terminology there.

Er, well, yes you may [ifeel[/i that way but that is rather out of the Basil Fawlty School of Management. There are ways of dealing with humans in your employ that are more likely to benefit the organisation than a damn good thrashing.



Whitehead, like any player, needs to do whatever his employers reasonably ask him to do. he can't refuse to turn out, he would risk being in breach of his contract.


All as it should be, too, but it would be an easy enough scenario to sort out, if Whitehead had second thoughts. I think such things matter more to fans than the actual players, who all entirely recognise that they are in it mainly for the money, and all do what's best for them, while they can. I don't see any issues. I mean, look at Wayne Rooney; he hands in a transfer request at 4pm most days, but he still seems to be on great terms with his teammmates, and playing well.

Disagree with this - Elliot has a contract to play for the Bulls, no other club. He can also state he is contracted to play in Super League.

If the club forces him to play championship rugby, this could be a sign of being forced out by the current management, and he could claim constructive dismissal. (less convinced with this as he's already stated he wants out)

Employment law is pretty tight when challenged, a player is contracted to do what his contact asks. Any grey area (such as "any other reasonable request made by the employer") will not be enforceable. I can't imagine his contract specifically states being loaned out to a championship club.

IMO, Elliot's management will be advising him not to risk injury.

I doubt Elliot's management could organise an orgy in a brothel TBH.

If Elliott's 'management' are really having difficulty finding another club I'd guess they might actually be suggesting he patches up his differences with the Bulls and puts himself in the 'shop window'. As I suggested earlier, if he were to come back in a motivated frame of mind, it would be to everyone's advantage, even if it were to be only temporarily.