Wolves swoop for 'Bobby dazzler'

WARRINGTON Wolves have secured the signature of the highly rated stand off, Bobby Goulding – the son of the former Great Britain and St Helens namesake.
Fifteen-year-old Goulding joins the Wolves academy set up after graduating from the Wolves Scholarship programme, which he joined as a 13-year-old.
After making his first move into the professional game, Goulding said: “I chose Warrington as they have looked after me since I joined the Scholarship programme, it’s a great stadium here and I love working with all the coaches at the Wolves ”
Goulding, Head Boy at Fairfield High School, Widnes, said watching his father was a big driver in his decision to follow his famous dad’s footsteps:
“I started playing rugby league when I was six. I always watched my dad play from as far back as I can remember, so soon as I could I signed up with my first club Halton Hornets.”
“It was mainly my dad that got me involved in rugby and he pushes me to make sure I always push myself. He gives me some great advice that I always take on board.”
His father, Bobby Goulding snr, the former Super League and Challenge Cup winning scrum half with St Helens and Great Britain international, was pleased his son chose the Wolves to continue his development into the professional game.
Goulding snr said: “He came to Warrington on scholarship at 13 years of age. The club have shown fantastic loyalty to him under Peter Farrell and John Bastian. I think the loyalty shown by both parties has been instrumental in him coming here.
“I have been impressed with Warrington for a long, long time. Everyone always says if I hadn’t signed for Wigan I would of gone to Widnes my home town club, but I wouldn’t of, I would of come straight to Warrington.”
He added: “I think for a hell of a lot of years the junior development has come through at this club, but in the past Warrington have never seemed to be able to keep hold on to them. However with the plans John Bastian and Peter Farrell now have, they can only go forward.”
Goulding snr admitted expectations will be placed on Bobby, but he’s sure his son has got the right characteristics to grow into a first team player in the future.
“I’m not only impressed with him as a rugby player but as a person as well. He’s not a bad kid, all of us in the family are very proud of him. He’s got to go out and be his own man and I’m sure he will.”
Wolves’ Director of Youth Development John Bastian, echoed Goulding snr’s comments, he added: “First and foremost Bobby is a really good young person. I have enjoyed coaching him over the last three or four months. Peter Farrell has done enormous amount of work in recruiting Bobby Goulding as well as several other players of high quality. Bobby is just one of many that we see a bright future in. Obviously he has to live up to his potential and he’s got to use his ability on the football field at a higher level over the next few years.”
Bobby Goulding is the Wolves first signing to the Junior Academy this season with more announcements of signings expected to follow swiftly.
Picture (L-R) Peter Farrell, Bobby Goulding and Bobby Goulding snr.