Only full time Rugby League will cement Sheffield Eagles' future

Eagles are currently involved in discussions with potential new investors following the decision by chairman Ian Swire to step aside. The withdrawal of funds from a previous investor, plus Swire’s departure, have cast a shadow over several areas, including whether Eagles can remain a full-time operation.

With director Ian Anniss confirming that talks are at an advanced stage, Aston is adamant that the club have to do everything they can to stay full-time as he looks develop the youngsters. “We have started something here and we need to build on it,” Aston said. “We have to stay full-time. We have found it tough, the transition was always going to be difficult, but now we need to stick with the plan because we will see the benefits in a couple of years.”

With Eagles beating Featherstone on Friday, Aston’s side gave their chances of retaining Championship status a boost.

Whilst the full-time plan hasn’t worked out the way he would have liked, Aston has relished the opportunity to work with his squad on a daily basis.

With a batch of players in their teens and early 20s, Aston is confident that given the right direction his squad can only get better, but a big factor in their development would be remaining full-time. “When you look at the likes of Garry Lo, Ben Blackmore, Cory Aston, George Tyson, Matty Fozard, Dave Hewitt and Keal Carlile – there is plenty of potential there,” he added.

“We need to keep hold of these players and bring them on whilst adding a couple of quality people around them. I have been delighted with the response of the boys recently because they’ve taken a lot of hard stuff from me. There has been a lot of soul searching from some of these young lads, but the culture of the place is much better at the moment.”