He's from Wigan i beleive.

Prescott/St Helens i think

How long has he been in our academy for? 3 years makes him a Vikings product if I'm right?

If he's been brought from an amateur club and put through our academy before entering our senior side, I'd say that would qualify him as one of ours. So I'd definitely include Paddy and Houghton as being discovered and brought through the professional ranks by us. Obviously, if Houghton came here via the Wigan Warriors academy side, that's different.

Don't they have to be at the club at least three years before their 21st birthday regardless of where they come from.

Exactly right - think they refer to it as club trained. What is stupid about the rules us that you could have a brilliant young talent like Myler, come thorugh, but if he signs for someone else before the age of 18 then he would count as their player (if he stays there for 3 years).

Just a few bits from the RFL website:

CLUB TRAINED
B1:11A This Clause is subject to Clause B1:11C in Seasons 2008-10. At the time of notification of the Provisional First Team Squad and First Team Squad and at all times, a Club’s First Team Squad, where that Club is in Super League, must consist of:
(a) a maximum of 5 players who satisfy none of the definitions of Club Trained Players, Federation Trained Player from the Club’s own federation or Academy Junior.
(b) a minimum of 8 Club Trained Players or Academy Juniors
(c) the remainder being made up of Federation Trained Players from the Club’s own federation or Academy Juniors.

............................... Otherwise, and again for the avoidance of doubt, from the 2010 Season onwards a player must satisfy the requirement to have been on the Club’s register for 3 full Seasons before his 21st birthday in order to qualify as a ‘Club Trained Player’

B1:11C In the following seasons the numbers in B1:11A above shall be amended to:
(a) Season 2008: a maximum of 10 players who satisfy none of the definitions of Club Trained Players, Federation Trained Players from the Club’s own federation or Academy Junior and a minimum of 5 Club Trained Players or Academy Juniors;
(b) Season 2009: a maximum of 8 players who satisfy none of the definitions of Club Trained Players, Federation Trained Players from the Club’s own federation or Academy Junior and a minimum of 6 Club Trained Players or Academy Juniors
(c) Season 2010: a maximum of 6 players who satisfy none of the definitions of Club Trained Players, Federation Trained Players from the Club’s own federation or Academy Junior and a minimum of 7 Club Trained Players or Academy Juniors.

So if the rules don't change we're looking at needing a minimum of 8 'Club trained' or academy players in the 1st team squad.

Going back to Houghton, he looked in the game earlier in the season -Blackpool was it? surprised he hasn't been given more of a chance.

So what happens if he then moves on to another at 19, where he can then only spend a total of 2 years before he reaches 21?

Does this then mean that no-one brought him through?


What a complete load of b0llocks

Surely must say once you've fit that criteria at one club - Widnes, then you can't do it at another?

David Houghton has nothing to do with Celtic Crusaders.