Cookson completes Kilshaw’s 2016 squad

Cookson completes Kilshaw’s 2016 squad

Alan Kilshaw has completed his final signing ahead of the 2016 season as Rochdale born forward David Cookson joins Rochdale Hornets’ next generation.

Cookson is a former Oldham player who can play both second row and centre and was on the losing side in Rochdale’s play-off final triumph in 2013.

After a year out of the game he is now raring to go and is ready to hit the ground running.

“It is brilliant to be back,” he said. “Having a year off has brought back my enthusiasm for the game and I just can’t wait to get stuck in now.”

Cookson is a local lad who also played for amateur outfit Oldham St Anne’s, but now he is excited about the prospect of walking out at Spotland to represent his home town team.

“It is good to sign for Rochdale. I was born here and I have lived here all my life so it will feel good to put on a Rochdale Hornets shirt.

“It will be a really proud moment to be playing in Rochdale for Rochdale and I am looking forward to it.”

With a number of local players in the 2016 squad Cookson felt comfortable signing and linking up with some familiar faces.

The club’s new dual registration agreement with Super League club Warrington Wolves was also a factor which led to Kilshaw securing his signature.

“I know a few of the lads so it is good to be part of a group with lads I know that are local so that was definitely a factor in me signing.

“Also having paired with Warrington now it means that the facilities that are on offer are top class.”

Having played in the Oldham side which was beaten 32-18 by Rochdale in the 2013 play-off final he is determined to be on the right side of the celebrations next time out.

“They want to be pushing for promotion this year and I played against Rochdale in the final in 2013 when they were promoted, but this time I want to win it with them.”

Cookson returned to training after a year out on Friday night and was feeling the effects of his first session back, as the new coaching staff put him through his paces.

He is confident that having Ryan Gibney, Jason Viller, Paul Berry and Dave Ramsbottom on board this season will help the players improve over the coming months.

“It was a good first session with the lads. I’m still a bit stiff though with it being my first training session in a year.

“The coaching set up will definitely help us this season. It is good to have that professional advice from people who know the things you should be doing in and outside of the gym.”

Head coach Kilshaw has made it clear over the last month that he wants to build a side filled with local talent, and he has now assembled a squad with a number of Rochdale based players.

He says he is delighted to have captured the sought after Cookson and felt it was important that he came to Spotland despite interest from elsewhere.

“I’m very happy to have secured David’s signature,” commented Kilshaw. “There was a lot of interest in him but as a local Rochdale lad it was important we got him over the line and gave him the opportunity to play for his home town club.”