Hull KR have confirmed utility player Ben Cockayne has left the club by mutual consent.
Utility back leaves by mutual consent
Hull KR have confirmed utility player Ben Cockayne has left the club by mutual consent.
The 27-year-old was suspended a fortnight ago pending a club investigations into an incident involving team-mate Liam Watts. That came just six weeks after he was given a final warning.
The Robins never gave any reason for the latest suspension but it was thought to be connected with a police chase that ended when a car crashed into a wall.
Cockayne, who joined Rovers from Doncaster in 2006, was fined and issued with a final warning in May for comments he made on a social networking site.
He was the subject of a police investigation relating to the alleged racist comments made on Facebook about a taxi driver.
In 2009, he received a 12-month suspended sentence for assault causing actual bodily harm, which resulted in Rovers suspending him for two months.
Rovers say they met with Cockayne's agent David Howes and decided that a clean break would be beneficial to both the club and the player.
Hull KR chief executive Mike Smith said: "We would like to thank Ben for his contribution to the club over the last five years and wish him all the best in his future endeavours."
Clean break
Cockayne, who was out of contract at the end of the year, is now a free agent and likely to seek a Championship club to play out the rest of the season with.
Howes said: "It must be stressed that the police are not taking any action against Ben with regard to the car chase as he was the passenger and thus an innocent party.
"The police previously decided that the well-documented Facebook episode also required no action.
"However, having received a final warning for the Facebook comments on diversity grounds and because of the negativity surrounding this latest incident, it is felt that Ben and the club will both benefit from a clean break.
"The Super League signing deadline passed last Friday so Ben may seek a Championship contract for the rest of this season to maintain his fitness while talking to Super League clubs for the 2012 campaign onwards."
Cockayne, who was a member of Rovers' promotion-winning campaign in 2006, said: "I would like to thank Hull KR and particularly coach Justin Morgan for giving me the opportunity to experience rugby league at the highest level. Also my fellow players for their comradeship and support.
"I am extremely sad to be leaving the club that I have grown to love dearly.
"But I leave with many happy memories, none greater than the National League Grand Final victory which earned promotion to Super League, where Rovers belong.
"Many thanks to the faithful Robins fans who have stuck by me through some turbulent times. The Rovers supporters are the most passionate and loyal in Super League and, above everything else, they are what I will miss most."
The 20-year-old Watts, who has made 15 appearances this season, remains under suspension pending the outcome of the police matter.
