Whitehaven's Martin Gambles set for move to Swinton Lions

By Martin Morgan

Last updated 12:19, Thursday, 03 July 2008

Pint-sized scrum-half Martin Gambles is lining up a move to NL2 Swinton Lions after managing little over 10 minutes of first-team action at Whitehaven.

Martin Gambles

The 28-year-old, who had spent most of his career with Blackpool Panthers, joined Haven in May but featured only once in NL1, off the bench in the defeat at Batley.

And with problems travelling to training, he is seeking a club closer to his Wigan home.

“I have a few options but Swinton are close to where I live,” Gambles said. “It’s just down the motorway.

“I’ve been close to signing for them for the last three years, and a few of my mates are there, so I’ll be able to travel with them.”

He played a handful of matches for Haven’s high-flying reserve-grade, though the emergence of teenager Gregg McNally and the success of Tane Manihera, recruited around the same time as Gambles, limited his chances at NL1 level. But the No 7 insists there are no hard feelings over his departure.

“Ged Stokes is a good coach and a good bloke.” he added. “The club is on good hands.

“They have some really talented kids, and hopefully they can hold on to them.

“I imagine a few clubs are sniffing around them, but they are Whitehaven lads and want the club to do well.”

Haven’s first-team have no match this weekend, but the reserves host Hunslet on Saturday.

Yesterday’s Pride of Five £100 winner was M Griffin, of Central Avenue, Egremont, with ticket number 3,559.