Henderson signs : Tue Sep 28, 2010 9:37 am
Good quality signing!!!Hooker Harrison in two year Eagles deal
2010
By James Collins
Rugby League
HOOKER Andrew Henderson is to stay at Sheffield Eagles after agreeing a two-year playing and coaching contract.
The dual role will see Henderson join Eagles' coaching staff with responsibility for the Academy teams.
Henderson was signed by Eagles on the transfer deadline from Barrow Raiders and helped the club to make the Championship play-off semi-finals.
Head coach Mark Aston said: "Andrew is a player that we value and he will be very good working within our full-time Academy."
It is an ideal move for Henderson, 31, who was sidelined for nearly four months before his move to Sheffield following a contract dispute with Barrow.
"I'm happy. I feel that at this level I can still play for another two years. Luckily for me the club has been impressed enough by me on the field and rewarded me with a two year deal," he said.
"I feel pretty good and have been durable during my career, maybe only missing three or four games through injury."
The Henderson deal puts a question mark over the future of Craig Cook at the Eagles. The former Doncaster player has been first choice number 9 last season and finished as the club's top try scorer with 20. Aston says he still has to have talks with Cook, who is out of contract.
Scottish international Henderson has also played in Australia, in the Super League with Castleford Tigers and was at Gateshead before moving to Barrow at the start of last season.
Soon after joining Eagles Henderson is believed to have been offered the player-coach job at Gateshead but the could not agree terms. In his new role Henderson will be working with the Eagles under 17 and 18 Academy squads based at All Saints School. One of the graduates of the scheme Corey Hanson, 18, was awarded a first team contract recently.
Henderson said: "I am getting the opportunity to get a feel for coaching by working with these young kids. Coaching is something I have thought about and what better opportunity than still be playing and to coach – it's a great package."
He added: "I have been really impressed by the set up at Sheffield, with Mark and his team and what they have delivered. I'm looking forward to be part of that in the future."
