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Suspended

Hanley calls St. Helens bosses dinosaurs

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Posted: Monday July 12, 1999 12:30 PM

Frustrated about St. Helens' failure to follow his advice on player recruitment, Hanley accused the directors of being "ignorant" and "disgraceful." Chris Cole/Allsport

ST. HELENS, England (AP) -- Former British international Ellery Hanley was suspended Monday as coach of the St. Helens rugby league team after accusing the club's directors of "dinosaur-like thinking."

The 38-year-old former Wigan captain, considered one of the greatest players in the game, returned to England from Australia in August to take up the coaching role.

He still has 18 months to run on his contract but has been suspended indefinitely on full pay.

St. Helens chairman Howard Morris confirmed Hanley's suspension following an emergency board meeting Monday.

"Following legal advice, Ellery Hanley has been suspended pending an investigation into comments made in the media about the club and its officials," he said.

Frustrated at the club's failure to follow his advice on player recruitment, Hanley accused the directors of being "ignorant" and "disgraceful."

He made the outburst following St. Helens' 21-16 Super League win over Sheffield, which secured the team's third place in the Super League standings.

Hanley alleged the club ignored his recommendation to sign Halifax forward Martin Moana and New Zealand international Jarrod McCracken, now playing for Parramatta in Australia's National Rugby League.

 

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