quins have to go

David Hughes has successfully ensured the club's future by ensuring that the Wigan Warriors owner is forced to part with his majority shareholding in Harlequins Rugby League club.

My understanding is that a deal with the RFL has been agreed and is close to being rubber stamped.

It is anticipated that a new owner will be announced within the club on Tuesday but we are yet to uncover whether this is the RFL confiscating and holding the shares prior to a real buyer coming forward or indeed the much more desirable, actual new owner.

Whatever the arrangement it will be communicated to supporters in the middle of next week to ensure that the 2011 season ticket renewal process can start and that Friday is a celebration of the 30 year anniversary rather than the last game ever.

No timescales have been announced in terms of a new manager but there is widespread acceptance within Rugby League that John Kear is the preferred candidate, although compensation for the remaining year of his contract may need resolution.

In terms of the playing squad for next season, we definitely have at least half a decent first team signed up for 2011 including Centres Howell and Clubb, utility player Chris Melling, Luke Gale, the Hookers Randall and Ellis and Prop Oliver Wilkes plus Captain and Loose Forward Robert Purdham. Karl Temata is also under contract, but is rumoured to be considering retirement.

It is widely expected that, with the exception of a few London youngsters, that the rest will be leaving. These include Louie (St Helens), Will Sharp (Hull), Danny Orr (Castleford), Williamson (retirement) and BJB (returning to Leeds) whilst the likes of Ben Jones, Ben Kaye and Ryan Esders have already found Northern clubs.

Of the rest Luke Dorn is supposed to be staying although some commentators have linked him to St Helens, Danny Ward is expected to leave and Jason Golden is unconfirmed either way.

The club is believed to have signed at least one of Gareth Moore and Kyle Briggs for next season.

Of the players on the market during this stand-off between the RFL and Quins RL, a fair number of senior players who would have improved our team have joined Salford including Paleaasina, V.Anderson, Nero and Stephen Wild but David Hughes has been keen to stay clear of signing or re-signing older players this year.

We have also missed out on Kevin Penny, who was enticed by Wakefield earlier in the season and of the other desirable youngsters in a position we have at least one space in we have also missed out on Shaun Ainscough. Rikki Sheriffe is widely tipped to return as one of the wingers.

Still, many other clubs are also full or even morally over the 'cap' with overseas players so I believe we will be able to entice good players for 2011 from the NRL as the competition won't be as fierce as last year for signatures and if we are re-classified as a non-heartlands club that will help.