I was a bit sceptical at first about this partnership but last night at the Workington Town Vice Presidents evening Justin Morgan attended, with Chris Chester and four of the younger players, and he outlined what both sides were looking for from the partnership.

Town are starting up an Under 18 team this year in the hope that we can discover another Shaun Lunt and more and Justin said that HKR would give any young player a chance to go down to Hull and sample life in a full-time environment training with the professionals. He also extended the invitation to all our coaching staff to spend time with HKR to hopefully pick up good practices, etc. Justin also said that he would have no qualms about sending up a couple of HKR's younger players to gain experience in Championship 1.

For our part obviously any good youngsters we have or find HKR will be informed about and given the chance to look at and speak with the players. It all sounding promising and I know that at board level there is a genuine feeling of trust and commitment to the partnership.

I think the friendly against your junior and fringe players, that was unfortunately called off very late today, will become an annual event from what was said last night.

great idea

I know when we were in the NL's the sheer thought of having feeder teams was a none starter with us. However with the pretty much closed shop that is the Super League and thinking of players' futures not just a clubs success you have to ask is it the best idea all round to have partnerships? Obviously if all the young talent was immediately thrust from your ranks into ours it would really defeat the object however if with this dual contract scheme it can work from that perspective it deffinately seems like a great idea.

Only problem I can see is will the "big club" just let the other do all the running around or will both parties work equally hard at keeping the partnership going for years to come?! Only time will tell I guess.