Nickle is on his way

The 29-year-old, who joined the Bulls in 1995 from St Helens in the £500,000-rated deal which took Paul Newlove to Knowsley Road, will become a free agent after reaching agreement on the final year of his contract.

He is joined in the revolving door at Odsal by Wharfedale Rugby Union winger Andy Hodgson who becomes the fourth player to leave this week following hot on the heels of Jon Scales (freed) and Kevin Crouthers who yesterday joined Wakefield on loan for 12 months.

But it is Nickle's departure which will provoke most interest on the Odsal terraces despite a injury ravaged period in Bulls colours.

His direct running style made him a big favourite with the fans, playing in successive Wembley finals and making 23 appearances in their Super League title success.

But problems with a twice broken arm and last term with a whiplash injury which saw him miss the last three months of the campaign have prompted today's parting.

In all he made 64 appearances including twenty as a substitute, scoring 18 tries.

Coach Matthew Elliott, who is poised to complete his final close season signing explained: "We will be working with a squad of twenty three players for next season and we are now at that figure.

"I would like to thank both players for their contribution to the Bulls and I am sure they will be very successful in the future."

Hodgson joined the club full-time in 1997 after a successful trial with the Alliance side but his progress was dented when he shattered an ankle against Paris in August that year on the night the Super League trophy was presented.

He played just five games at the end of last season but is still struggling to regain his confidence with Wharfedale. In all he scored 4 tries and one goal in 14 outings for the Bulls.

Both players have been linked with Wakefield but Nickle in particular could well be a target for other Super League clubs.

Hull Sharks, who will be bringing back their traditional black and white hooped shirts next season, have announced a sponsorship deal with JWE Telecom plc for the 1999 Super League campaign.

The Pocklington-based firm have been an associate sponsor at the Bulls in recent years.

Nickle is on his way

l Huddersfield Giants, who finished bottom of Super League in 1998, today completed their fifth close-season signing with the capture of Wigan's former Great Britain Under-21 stand-off Nigel Wright.

The 25-year-old was released by Wigan from his four-year contract earlier this year after sustaining a series of ankle and leg injuries.

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