GRAHAM Holroyd is ready to tackle what is arguably the biggest challenge of his illustrious career.

Holroyd has lost count at the number of games he has played and the number of points he has scored during a 17-year career in professional rugby league.

And now, at the age of 33, he has taken on a new challenge, boldly vowing to arouse Swinton Lions, a club he labels a sleeping giant.

He will also assist with the coaching, a prospect head coach Paul Kidd is looking forward to.

Holroyd insists the fire still burns bright in his belly. His much-travelled boots still crave active service and Lions fans can no doubt look forward to his trusty left peg clocking and amassing even more points.

He told MEN Sport: "It certainly doesn't feel as if I've been around for 17 years but I can assure the Swinton fans I'm as keen and as hungry now as I was when I first started out with Leeds as a teenager.

"I just love playing rugby and I've teamed up with a very good set of lads who are extremely hardworking and ambitious.

"I feel Swinton have been a sleeping giant for too long, I watched them several times last season and things are waiting to happen. We have to get bums on seats, play well and take the club forward.

"This is just the kind of challenge I need at this stage of my career, it excites me and it's good.

"My brother-in-law Dean Gorton plays for Swinton they have a number of very good players and I still feel like a kid starting out at Leeds. You are learning all the time.

"I'm always thinking of new drills and looking at ways to challenge myself.

"The Swinton set-up has greatly impressed me. I sense things are waiting to happen here. I could have stayed at Halifax and I had other good offers but something about Swinton held special appeal, I fancied it and went for it.

"I'm fresh, keen and having been to the World Cup in Australia recently with Ireland has really fired me up."

Holroyd had the misfortune to pick up a tendon injury two days after arriving in Australia with the Irish squad.

That meant most of his time was spent assisting the coaches and observing from the sidelines.

He learned a lot, especially from Barrie McDermott, with whom he played alongside at Leeds. Like McDermott, Holroyd is a perfectionist and a winner and now looks forward to working with Kidd, a young, innovative coach.

Holroyd added: "Paul is outgoing, he's prepared to take ideas onboard and he wants us to play an entertaining brand of rugby. That suits me and having been in Australia has been extremely beneficial, I can't wait for the season to start, training is going well and there's a real buzz around the place."

Kidd believes Holroyd still has one of the best kicking games in the business.

The experienced half-back's cultured left foot first made its mark in football circles.

Playing in central midfield, Holroyd fired 70 goals one season in Under-13s junior football and his record still stands.

He had trials with United, Leeds and Bradford City, just three of the clubs who chased him, but rugby was always his passion and this was the road he went down.

His father Robert, who died on Christmas Day eight years ago, advised his teenage son he had to choose between either the round ball or the oval one.

Holroyd said: "My dad used to run me everywhere as a kid when I was playing matches and having trials.

"When I was 15 or 16 he sat me down and said it was time to choose and I went for rugby and joined Leeds.

He also played for Salford, Huddersfield and Doncaster but instantly shot to fame in a star-studded Leeds team as a playmaking half-back with a subtle kicking game.

History appears to be repeating itself in the Holroyd household where Graham's six-year-old son Logan has clearly inherited his dad's skilful left foot.

He, too, is currently making his mark in junior football - he plays for Beechfield United - and is having trials with both United and City.

Holdroyd senior, who was outstanding for Halifax last season, added: "I've always enjoyed rugby and now at this stage of my career I'm desperate to help Swinton."

Kidd believes he can weave his magic for the Lions.

"We desperately needed a general to join the squad and I'm fortunate to have got one of the best in Graham," he said.

"I'm delighted and thrilled because I'm convinced he will prove to be a fantastic acquisition, he's just what we needed and will bring so much to the team.

"He really made his mark at Halifax last season with some top-drawer displays."

It was Holroyd who first alerted the Lions of his availability hence the reason Kidd lost no time in securing his services, fighting off strong competition.

He, too, cannot wait for the big kick-off knowing it's an important year for the Lions as they go for glory.

Tweet