JOE McLOCKLAN could well line up for South Wales Scorpions against York City Knights next month after making a controversial switch from Huntington Stadium which highlights a potential problem for clubs in the Championships.

McLocklan was sacked by the Knights last month after failing to turn up for training and a reserves match, thus breaking the terms of his contract.

But, while the Knights thought they still owned the players’ registration and could demand a fee for him, in actual fact it meant he was free to find another club.

Knights general manager Ian Wilson explained: “We terminated his employment but not his contract and there is an issue about whether we should still hold his registration.

“According to the RFL, we don’t – they’ve said terminating the employment is the same thing as terminating the contract and cancelling the registration – but I think there needs to be some more guidance on this issue.

“It seems to me, under those circumstances, that if a player doesn’t want to be at a club any more, all he has to do is not turn up. The club then terminates his employment – leaving him able to sign somewhere else even if the club has not released his registration.

“Therefore, the players, especially those who are on a salary, seem to have all the power and the clubs can’t do anything.

“If the players are on a pay-as-you-play deal it’s a bit different – if they don’t turn up, they don’t get paid.

“But if they are salaried, they still get paid even if they don’t turn up – unless the contract is terminated.

“This issue has in a way opened a legal can of worms and we need clarification from the RFL on what to do if this happens again. It’s an issue than can affect all clubs.”

An RFL spokesman said it concerned employment law over which the governing body had no control, adding: “It’s a contractual matter between the player and the club.”

One potential solution in such circumstances would be for the club to suspend the player without pay, thus keeping his registration.

But this could ultimately lead to costly arguments in court, while a player could effectively fulfil his contract while obviously not giving his all, so the club have to weigh up whether it’s worth the hassle. With the lack of money in Championship One, any fee between clubs would be nominal anyway.

Nevertheless, the situation, unless there is a lot of smallprint in the contract, does seem to put power in salaried players’ hands.

McLocklan followed Casey Bromilow from the Knights to the Scorpions and, like another ex-Knight at The Gnoll, Loz Wildbore, will commute from Yorkshire rather than move to the Principality. He made his debut in the Scorpions’ record 70-16 win over Gateshead on Sunday. The Knights go to The Gnoll on August 15.

ONE thing is probably for sure – the Knights are unlikely to have any such issues with big Jack Stearman.

As revealed by The Press this week, the 22-year-old prop has agreed a deal taking him to the end of 2011 and in doing so he reiterated his pride in representing his home-town club, saying he was never going to go anywhere else regardless of money offered.

The Press can also reveal that in cementing a place in the first team over the past few months, he has also fulfilled a prophecy by his old junior coach at New Earswick All Blacks, Gary Divorty, the former Great Britain international and father of ex-Knight Ross Divorty, who is now at Championship high-fliers Featherstone.

He has no doubt also brought pride to the All Blacks ranks in seeing another of their juniors win a contract in the semi-professional arena, even if, in this case, it means he won’t be going back to White Rose Avenue like in previous years over the winter season, due to his winning a first-team contract at Huntington Stadium.

Stearman – whose twin, Joe, likewise previously played for the Knights academy and reserves but without breaking into the first team – told The Press: “When I was 14 I was coached by Gary Divorty and he always said to me and my brother that we could both make it in the game.

“That has always stuck in my mind. My brother has other commitments now but I always wanted to prove Gary right.”

Stearman has also thanked his amateur club for helping him achieve that goal.

“I was disappointed not to get an opportunity (in the Knights’ first team) last year and I wanted to go back to All Blacks in the winter.

“I had an okay season for them, though I could have done better, but it was about getting enjoyment out of playing again.

“If you’re not enjoying it, you’re not likely to play well, but I’m really enjoying it and that time at All Blacks helped.

“They’re pleased I’m doing well. I want to help them get back into the premier division (of the Pennine League) after we were relegated but I’m sure they’ll get back anyway.”


Ross stays on Lee’s coat-tails

IT seems Jack Lee won’t have it all his own way in the Northern Rail/Press Player of the Year stakes.

Lee has soared to the summit after winning two Press Player of the Month awards since joining the Knights, usurping unlucky long-time leader Lee Waterman, who is out injured, last week.

But Jordan Ross is staying on his coat-tails, helped by the three points for being The Press’ man of the match in last week’s loss at Hunslet.

Elsewhere, Luke Hardbottle (2pts) put in another good show and Jack Stearman (1pt) also added to his tally, in a good week for the 22-year-old as he agreed terms to stay at his home-town club next season.

Northern Rail/Press Player of the Year standings: Lee 20pts, Waterman 19, Ross 16, Waller 11, McLocklan 10, Freer 8, Ratcliffe, 8, Hardbottle 7, Thorman 7, Tuffour 7, Benson 6, Blakeway 5, Stearman 4, Lineham 4, Applegarth 4, Stamp 3, Fallon 3, Bromilow 2, Wilson 2, Reittie 2, Hill 2, Lewis 2, Clough 1.

TALKING of last week’s match, can you believe Chris Thorman scored only his first try of the entire season that day?

It didn’t prevent defeat but a silver lining for the player-coach is the fact it means he won’t have to endure the ignominy of the usual end-of-season naked lap of the training pitch for those regulars who fail to cross the whitewash all term.