Raynor finally unveiled

By Denise
August 4 2002

After a long wait the signing of Gareth Raynor was officially announced on the first day of August, almost two months after the Super League player had confirmed he had accepted Leicester's offer of a three year contract.

The former postman was set a deadline of 7th June by Hull's Director of Rugby Shaun McRae to decide where his future lie. Surprisingly after reiterating his love of League and Hull to the press Gareth Raynor chose to join Tigers although he was initially far from enthusiastic.

In an interview with the BBC he revealed:

"I'm kind of disappointed in a way because I was expecting to stay at Hull. When I've been dealing with Shaun about me staying here I never ever put a contract to him I just said I'd been offered a contract by Leicester. He asked me to bring the contract in to see it and I just said look I don't expect you to match it just do what you can cos at end of the day I want to stay here"

When asked whether he prefers rugby league to union he replied:

"Definitely, although I did start playing rugby union from 10 to 15. I'd say I'm more of a rugby league than a rugby union player, I love rugby league and I love the game at Hull and I'm just disappointed I'm not staying at the end of the day but that's how things go."

Was he always edging more towards Leicester? Hardly.

"I were positive Hull could come up with the deal I wanted. When I were negotiating like I've not expected owt silly, any silly money or what top players get like 'cause they deserve it and they've been in the game a long time and they deserve the contracts they get. I just wanted, like, a more competitive offer really, no disrespesct to Hull or Shaun McRae I think they've tried their best but at end of the day that's what happened and I'm going to Leicester unfortunately."

He did end the interview in a slightly more positive note:

"It's a good challenge for me and its a challenge I expected and look forward to doing."

And that was that for almost two months, no official word from Tigers, no photo of him with a Tigers shirt on. The other three new signings were announced and still no mention of the enthusiastic Mr Raynor. The wait must have done him good though because he does seem to be a bit more upbeat.

He told the Leicester Mercury:

"I'm looking forward to it. It's a fantastic challenge, a new challenge. I have come to play for one of the best clubs in Europe and I'm excited, I can't wait."

"I was settled in Hull, and I still am. But when you get an opportunity to come to a club like Leicester you forget about how settled and happy you are."

"Leicester are a club of ambition and a club that is going to win things, and that's the reason for me coming here."

"My agent said he had been talking to Dean Richards and he was interested in signing me. My reaction was 'What, Leicester want me?'"

"He said, 'Do you want me to go further' and I said yes, it's Leicester, the best club in Europe."

"If it had been anyone else I'd have thought twice about leaving rugby league."

And in traditional fashion he outlined his ambitions for his career at Tigers:

"When I first started making it at Hull they said I was the next Jason Robinson, but I prefer not to go on that ship. Jason is a class player. I hope to make my own name."

"If I get stuck in, work hard and get myself into the team I'm hoping to do well. You have to set your ambitions high, if you don't there's no point in setting any ambitions at all."

"My first ambition is to establish myself and get in the Leicester team. Once I have done that I'll have an eye on international honours as well. But that's going to be later."

As with most new recruits Deano has high hopes for Gareth and hopefully when he comes to join the rest of the squad after the Super League finishes he will live up to the hype. Going on Leicester's past experiences with Steve Booth and Freddie Tuilagi he should come good.