Craig Aikman joins Fylde
12:04pm Wednesday 16th January 2008
England Counties, Lancashire & Halifax scrum-half Craig Aikman has agreed to join Fylde RFC. The 29 year old former Waterloo player has been recruited as cover for Penrith-based club captain Paul Newton who has been advised by the Club to take a well earned rest from the game.
Fylde's Director of Rugby Matt Emmerson said: "We've become increasingly concerned about Paul's injuries. He's played through continuing knee and groin problems in the last two seasons and, on the grounds of player welfare, we feel that he should take a break from the game in order to prolong his rugby career.
"His business and personal circumstances are also changing and the burden of travelling to and fro from Penrith is extremely onerous.
"'Newts' has been a great servant to Fylde in his three and a half seasons here. He's a very talented scrum-half of great bravery and skill. His two superb tries at the Woodlands against Rugby Lions in November exemplified his ability.
"Everyone at the Club wishes him well - as club captain for the past two seasons he's set a great example, on and off the field. The door is open to him to return to the Club in due course if his fitness and other circumstances allow. In the meanwhile we have to consider the Club's interests and have recruited Craig Aikman to cover the critical scrum-half position."
Newton joined Fylde from Orrell ahead of the 2004/5 season and has played 77 matches to date in four seasons, scoring 8 tries in the process.
Roger Banks takes over the role of Club Captain.
Craig Aikman is an ideal replacement for Newton. He spent six seasons at Blundelsands, gaining substantial National One & Two experience, before moving to National Two club Halifax ahead of the 2006/7 season.
Aikman, who works at Burnley law firm Donald, Rice and Newton Solicitors, started his rugby career at Caldervale (now Burnley RUFC) and played for Blackburn before joining Waterloo in 2000.
He played for England Counties in 2006 and again in September 2007 in the FIRA/AER Tournament in France when he was a team mate of Fylde winger Nick Royle.
One of his main attributes is his pace - he's quick enough to have been selected on the wing for both Waterloo and Halifax, although his favoured position is scrum-half.
He's proved a crowd favourite at 'Fax and leads their player rankings this season.
He made his Lancashire County Championship debut in 2007.
Craig Aikman said: "I'm delighted to be joining Fylde. It's a famous club and I hope to be able to help it improve its league status.
"I know coach Mark Nelson well and I'm looking forward to working with him again - and getting to know all the 1st team squad players."