Connor Bower signs one-year contract
27/10/2021
Sheffield Eagles can announce the re-signing of centre Connor Bower on a one-year deal.
After joining the club from Doncaster for the short-lived 2020 season, Bower was into his final season of a two-year contract during 2021 - a campaign in which he missed the first 10 games due to an MCL injury.
Bower is pleased to be staying at Sheffield for 2022 as he looks to make a mark on the new stadium while rubber-stamping his place in the match day squad after a turbulent second term at the club.
“I’m really happy,” he said.
"Last year we didn’t achieve what we wanted to do.
“Some (players) have left but the boys that have stayed have a point to prove and hopefully we can have a better year than 2021.
“I’m pretty sure with those that are staying and who we’ve got coming in, we won’t have an issue doing that.”
The pre-season injury did halt Bower’s progress but he was boosted by positive words from Eagles chief Mark Aston complimenting the centre’s work ethic.
Reflecting on that, Bower added: “It was frustrating to spend the full year without playing and then coming back into pre-season, thinking I was doing well until a freak injury in the last session,”
“I tore my MCL and that put me out for ten weeks.
“It’s always tough going into a season after you’ve missed that first period. I was always trying to catch up.
The games that I played, I tried to impact them as much as I can.
“This year I do have a point to prove and hope to stay injury free and have a better season.”
Bower also mentioned his excitement at playing in the new stadium, which is currently being built and scheduled to be ready in time for the 2022 season.
“It’s brilliant to have that coming,” he beamed.
“Seeing the photos every week and how it’s progressing gets you more excited as time goes on.
“That first game will be a brilliant occasion, with the fans being in there and finally back in Sheffield, as well as it all leading up to the World Cup too.
"Everyone is looking forward to it and hats off to those who are getting it done.”
Eagles chief Mark Aston is happy to see the Hull-born centre put pen to paper as his squad continues to grow.
“Connor is a great kid and has loads of ability,” said Aston.
“We haven’t seen the best of him yet.
“He had a great pre-season but picked up an injury in one of the final opposed sessions just before the season started.
“He missed the first eight to ten weeks. He was unfortunate and he did show glimpses of what he can offer. We need him to be consistent now as he will have competition.
“He wants to improve and that is something we want from everyone. Now is the time for him to deliver."
By Dan Fowler, photo by Alex Coleman