Richie won't be with us next season after refusing to take up the one year option on his contract

I think we all knew this was to be the outcome.

Good luck to him, and thanks for the help over the last 12 months. Especially the Challenge Cup final.

Nice guy, hope he does well wherever he ends up.

Erm Link?

What, the club have now offered it to him and he's declined it ?

That would make sense to me, he's fearing the same scenario next year, the uncertainty, whereas he'll now have offers on the table from the likes of Castleford that come with the security of a 2/3 year deal.

Would a 2/3 year contract from cas actually offer security, bearing in mind we're at the 11th hour for new SL licences.

Should the rfl actually get some balls this time over clubs with crap grounds.

Yeah, I know what you're saying. Leeds Tykes was mooted (does Powell still coach them ??) also. I just think this year has shook him up somewhat and he'll be keen to avoid this again like.

It's a shame, but I think Smith will look at it and think that he can only offer Richie year to year terms as at some point Rhys Evans is just going to kick the door down and almost demand selection, then having Mathers tied to a long term deal would be bad business, in a way a bit like the Clarke situation is panning out with Monas, which you couldn't forsee at the time.

Article in Warrington guardian

good luck to him great servant..on current form i'd ave him over brett...

Bad news if true IMO, I'd have loved to see him still wearing a Wire shirt next season.

Can understand why he would want to go somewhere else, for more stability etc but as Cat pointed out, there are lots of clubs with uncertain futures at the moment.

Interesting the way the article is worded

"we offered him the extra year, he turned it down, we could have forced it on him"

Personally, i'd have said balls to it and stay here as part of the team.

Yeah first team and regular playing time is important to a player but how about staying and being a player in a progressing 'SQUAD' potentially on the verge of greatness.

Compare that to kicking about at cas or wakey, or salford.

I know what i'd choose.

Its just a job at the end of the day and id pick the one that offers me better pay and job security, especially if i have a family to provide for.

Its a little different for players that have come through the Academy or been at the club for a long period, mathers most probably has no allegiance to warrington nor any other club making his decision easier

Sad to see him go and taking into account Brett Hodgson's form this year it doesn't look a brilliant bit of business on the face of it. Richie's agent has obviously been busy and I wish him luck wherever he goes. (unless it's back to pieland - not likely though). ISWT

Rumour has it he is going to Huddersfield.... If true wouldnt a part ex for Hodgson make more sense? And yes its one of those my mates mums aunties cats rumour... No link

can't be part ex, its not a transfer, its 2 out of contract players.


THAT SAID

if it were true, and the clubs wanted to do something this season, i suppose it could be worked out, not likely though.

Both players are cup tied. Ok it would not effect Hudds but we would not have Mathers for the semi and possibly Wembley, therefore its a non starter!