Whitley Warriors are pleased to announce that stalwarts Callum Watson and Ryan Sample are back for another season in the maroon and gold. Both players are products of the Whitley Bay junior system and have played exclusively for Warriors at senior club level.
27-year-old Callum Watson first iced for Warriors in 2006-07, playing four games and bagging his first senior goal in the playoffs while still icing for the Under 16 and Under 18 sides. He also represented Great Britain at Under 18 level, scoring three points from five games. As he enters his thirteenth consecutive season, Callum told us, “I’m delighted to be signing again and feel excited about the season ahead. I missed a lot last season but hoping to be around more this year!
“The standard of the league was a lot higher last year and it looks as though it will be tougher again, but I think we will be able to step up again and hopefully be competing each week.”
Ryan Sample, 32, made his Warriors debut in 2002-03 and was a prolific talent in the roster until he took time out from the game at the end of the 2010-11 season. He briefly came back to Warriors in 2013-14, playing four games before hanging up his skates for a second time. However, you can’t keep a true Warrior away and last season he returned to the game again.
“I signed back as I really enjoyed myself last season after six years out the game,” Ryan said. “I’m signing again as both my kids really enjoy coming to watch the games now they are old enough.”
And were there any other reasons? “I really missed the craic in the dressing room too – I can feel the old Rysie coming back next season as last season knocked the cobwebs off me boots!”
Welcome back Callum and Ryan!