Graham in demand

Press, 26 January 1988, Page 28

Graham in demand

NZPA Sydney British clubs have expressed interest in gaining the services of the former Riwi rugby league captain, Mark Graham, his manager, Ron Carroll, said yesterday.

Graham has had discussions with Widnes, but the club is understood to have baulked at paying him the £45,000 ($121,000) signing fee sought.

“As far as Widnes is concerned, it appears it has closed the door,” Mr Carroll said.

“But we have had inquiries from two or three other clubs. “Now that they are aware Mark could be interested in playing out the rest of his career in England, the expressions of interest have come forward.” He declined to name the clubs, but said they were among “the top echelon.” Graham, the captain of North Sydney, is contracted to play for the club for the 1988 season, with an option for 1989. Mr Carroll said the club’s board would decide Mark’s future at a meeting on Thursday. “They have two options,” he said. “They could take up the opportunity for Mark to complete his career with Norths in 1989. “In the event that they don’t want to do that, we would ask them that, in consideration of Mark’s services to the club over the past seven years, they give him a free transfer.”