Bradford swoop for Scruton

Prop leaving Leeds for West Yorkshire rivals

Last updated: 4th September 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Bradford swoop for Scruton

Scruton: three-year contract at Bradford

We were talking with Leeds for a long time to try and come up with a deal but at the end of the day I have to sign the right deal for me.

Nick Scruton
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Bradford Bulls have signed Nick Scruton from local rivals Leeds Rhinos.

The England international prop, 23, will head to Grattan Odsal at the end of the season on a three-year deal.

"Nick has been playing in a very strong Leeds side for the last three or four years and he has gone very well," said Bradford coach Steve McNamara.

"I'm really pleased to be able to bring him to the Bulls and also by the fact that he wanted to come here to Bradford as well.

"Nick's young, English and has got a great deal of ambition whilst he still has plenty of improvement in him. He is tough and fit and a very vocal player who will add a lot to our pack next year and I'm looking forward to working with him.

"He's someone who bases his game on his sheer love and enthusiasm for the sport and he is a great addition to our squad."

Hard decision

Scruton admitted that the decision was the hardest of his life.

He was out of contract at the end of the season but hopes to bow out of Headingley with a Grand Final ring.

"I have been having sleepless nights trying to come up with the right decision," said Scruton.

"It is something I have thought long and hard about and spoke to my family about. We were talking with Leeds for a long time to try and come up with a deal but at the end of the day I have to sign the right deal for me.

"I love Leeds Rhinos and I have got lifelong friends at Leeds. I will be giving everything to try and retain that Grand Final and go out on a high."

Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington said that Scruton, who has made 72 appearances for the club since his debut in 2002, was a victim of the salary cap.

"It is always disappointing to lose someone we wished to keep and especially Nick, a local lad who has come through our academy," said Hetherington.

"But we are now in an age of freedom of contract and players' choice. We have evolved a pay structure at the Rhinos which everyone understands and recognises but it is inevitable from time to time we will miss out."

Comments (12)

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Carl Linley says...

he wasn't that good nor was he that badi like the guy but to be honest idon't think he willbe missed although he could do jimmy lowes! and for the bradford fans saying gone to a bigger club, get a grip your living in leeds shadows in every sport.

Posted 18:14 5th September 2008

Reece Needham says...

scruton will be a great addition to bradford, but i hope steve mcnamara reads this lol, as bulls need to buy more players if they are going to challenge saints and leeds next. they need 1 or 2 more good signings and they will have a great chance. bulls have one of the best sides in super league if everyone stayed fit but they need strong backup as well as a good side.

Posted 17:49 5th September 2008

David Ferguson says...

Scruton will definitely bolster the Bulls forward pack. I do understand that the "Eeee I Nooo" supporters are slating his move to the better club, its simply because he is a quality forward. The 2009 season will see the likes of leeds have a change in fortune....................Come on you BULLS. I am also related to the lad, connections near Harrogate I believe, but Im not bias.

Posted 10:55 5th September 2008

Carl Hobson says...

Sorry to see Nick go, he's a good hard player and will be missed. Bradford have got a great deal, just unfortunate Leeds couldn't give him the same. Good luck Nick, hope you have plenty of success, but not aginst the RHINOS!!!

Posted 10:19 5th September 2008

Richard Smith says...

Nick Scruton wasn't a bad player but is NOWHERE near as good as Peacock, Kylie or Luke Burgess, so he will not be missed much at all.

Posted 19:49 4th September 2008

Phil Mcrevis says...

Leeds aren't slagging the player off, they're slagging the bulls off! Nick isn't an amazing player but can't be faulted for his hard work and effort. Rhino's aren't going to break the salary cap for a work horse. He will however be one of the top players in a very average Bulls side, thats why they are willing to pay him what he wants. Good luck to him but he'll always be a leeds lad and a Rhinos fan!

Posted 16:27 4th September 2008

Brian Ba says...

Why are the Leeds supporters slagging off a player who as given good service to their club? Remember Jimmy Lowes - he came back and bit hard and Nick could just do the same.

Posted 12:43 4th September 2008

Andrew Birbeck says...

Scruton will be an excellent addition to the Bulls squad for next season. He has youth on his side and will form part of a much improved Bulls team ready to put forward a serious challenge to Saints next season. Leeds 0 Bradford1!!

Posted 12:07 4th September 2008

Trev Barnes says...

Great signing hes a good player and was great when was on loan at us a couple of years back

Posted 12:05 4th September 2008

John Bickers says...

Best of luck NICK and many thanks for your hard work to the Rhinos cause,and may you have an injury free run in the future. But please dont play too well against us.

Posted 11:52 4th September 2008

Eric Hunt says...

Scruton is not good enough for Leeds but will be good enough for the Bulls. Scruton will be on the wrong end of a few hammerings next season but this time by the Rhinos. Well done Hetherington!

Posted 11:27 4th September 2008

Steve Kelly says...

What a shame. Nick is Leeds through and through.

Posted 10:05 4th September 2008
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