Rochdale Hornets confirm departure list

Rochdale Hornets can confirm our departures as the club prepares for the 2022 Betfred League 1 campaign.

Rochdale Hornets can confirm the departure of half-back Rob Fairclough by mutual consent due to an ACL injury.

Fairclough joined the club from Swinton Lions ahead of the 2021 season, but suffered a long-term injury in the away trip at Coventry.

The former St Helens academy player featured in a handful of games towards the end of the season, but is awaiting surgery on the injury. 

Fairclough is also expecting the birth of his first child with his partner, and the club would like to wish him and his partner all the best in parenthood and for the future.

The club can also confirm the departure of 13 players in total from the 2021 squad.

Current longest-serving player Ben Moores has not re-signed for 2022 due to family and work commitments.

The experienced hooker originally signed ahead of the 2016 season, and established himself as a fans’ favourite at the club during his time.

Everyone at the club would like to wish Ben and his partner, Lizzie, their best wishes in the future, with the recent births of their twins, Arthur and Edward. We would also like to thank Ben for all his efforts for the club across the years.

Winger Shaun Ainscough will also depart the club, who has been a great character around the Crown Oil Arena. 

Our thanks continue to all departing players, and we would like to wish them all the best for the future in and away from the sport.

Full released list:

Rob Fairclough

Jordan Syme - Hunslet 

Josh Jordan-Roberts - Hunslet

Jack Higginson

Callum Ogden

Shaun Ainscough

Sam Freeman

Declan Sheridan

Danny Yates

Adam Hesketh

Ben Moores

Lee Registe

Shaun Robinson

On the departures, head coach Matt Calland said: “It’s part of sport, as each season players move on or are forced to retire through injury.

“We have lost two great players to Hunslet, who are both great kids and I wish them well.

“Last season we lost Callum Ogden, Jack Higginson, Sam Freeman and Rob Fairclough all to career-threatening injuries. They are all great players and have represented the club to the best of their abilities and were a pleasure to coach.

“I’d like to thank all departing players and wish them well for the future. 

“Our attention now turns to preparations for the exciting 2022 League 1 campaign, with the recent positive news of the re-signings of captain Sean Penkywicz, Rangi Chase and Fuifui Moimoi, while also adding experienced players such as Gregg McNally.

“We have also added very talented, young, hungry players such as Connor Aspey, Fin Stewart, Joe Howe and Ben Killan to our squad.

“We look forward to 2022 and returning to the Crown Oil Arena.”

On his departure, Moores said: “Firstly I’d just like thank to Rochdale for giving me the opportunity to represent this great club.

“Thank you to all the fans, coaches and staff that I’ve met along the way and to all the boys that I have played with. I’ve met some friends for life playing here!

“The birth of my twin boys Arthur and Edward and growing work commitments are my reasons for stepping away from the game. I won’t call it a retirement as you never know, but for now I’m looking forward to getting stuck into parenthood.

“The club is in a really good place since the arrival of Andy and co in the boardroom and it’s an exciting time to be a Hornets fan. I’d like to wish Matt, Penky and all the boys the best of luck 2022. I’ll 100% be down to watch a few games next season.”

On the departures, chairman Andy Mazey commented: “It was well documented our terrible luck with injuries this year and nothing summed up our poor fortune more than losing Rob Fairclough early in the season. 

“I know the man and player and know he would have been the difference for us but it sadly wasn’t to be. I wish Rob and his family all the best and the door is always open. 

“Ben Moores rightly will be recognised as a true club legend at Hornets and I can say hand on my heart he’s a real gentleman and a top professional who will be sorely missed. 

“On behalf of the board I would like to thank all the boys who are departing and wish them all well for the future.”