Basically learning the game.

As a Saints fan you probably are as aware as any of the short-comings he had in his game awareness when he brilliantly broke through as a teenager. When Smith arrived at our club he recognised that he was some way away from SL level but with his pace there was always something to work with. He was first sent away on loan to Widnes and then to Wakefield (ask their fans what he was like for them - put on a hard hat for the responses).

He then moved away from the full time ranks and went into fulltime employment (as a "speedy" parcel courier - van driver) whilst playing part-time primarily at Swinton and also lower level RU. When we dual-registered with Swinton there was the opportunity to see him playing and training again and obviously Smith saw the improvement, continued commitment and enthusiasm to playing the game and signed him on dual-reg terms. I would think that Swinton fans would speak highly of Penny from his time there.

His contract with us was for last season and an option for this year also. He has obviously matured physically but remains lightening pace. He was unfortunate last year to pick-up quite a serious knee injury just after breaking into the team and never featured for us again (although did play for Swinton backend of the season).

When the club took up the option of the additional year of his contract for this season there was pretty much universal condemnation of the decision from the people posting an opinion on here.

All in all a real "good news" story about a kid who has always played with a smile on his face, he's still a player who will get the crowd on their feet and tingling with excitement.

There is a nice article here about his journey www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/spo ... _hard_way/

Basically learning the game.

As a Saints fan you probably are as aware as any of the short-comings he had in his game awareness when he brilliantly broke through as a teenager. When Smith arrived at our club he recognised that he was some way away from SL level but with his pace there was always something to work with. He was first sent away on loan to Widnes and then to Wakefield (ask their fans what he was like for them - put on a hard hat for the responses).

He then moved away from the full time ranks and went into fulltime employment (as a "speedy" parcel courier - van driver) whilst playing part-time primarily at Swinton and also lower level RU. When we dual-registered with Swinton there was the opportunity to see him playing and training again and obviously Smith saw the improvement, continued commitment and enthusiasm to playing the game and signed him on dual-reg terms. I would think that Swinton fans would speak highly of Penny from his time there.

His contract with us was for last season and an option for this year also. He has obviously matured physically but remains lightening pace. He was unfortunate last year to pick-up quite a serious knee injury just after breaking into the team and never featured for us again (although did play for Swinton backend of the season).

When the club took up the option of the additional year of his contract for this season there was pretty much universal condemnation of the decision from the people posting an opinion on here.

All in all a real "good news" story about a kid who has always played with a smile on his face, he's still a player who will get the crowd on their feet and tingling with excitement.

There is a nice article here about his journey www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/spo ... _hard_way/