THREE of Jersey Reds’ Championship-winning heroes have found new sides following the shock collapse of the club.
Props Sam Grahamslaw and Stevie Longwell – who were both named in the Championship team of the season last year following their title-winning exploits – have joined Premiership side Bristol Bears and Italians Zebre respectively.
And scrum-half James Elliott has returned for a second spell at Newcastle Falcons in English rugby’s top flight.
An emergency meeting was called a little over two weeks ago, where all players were told that the club was to cease trading and that they were being made free agents. Since then, any hopes of new investment being found to save the club have faded and the Reds have entered the process of liquidation.
Loosehead Grahamslaw, who was capped at U20 level by Scotland, has signed for the West Country side as medical cover, while Longwell has signed an initial short-term deal until the end of December with Zebre. Elliott, who has signed a contract with Newcastle until the end of 2023/24 season, will link up with fellow former Red John Hawkins, who was also snapped up by the Falcons following the demise of the Islanders.
Grahamslaw was a key part of Jersey Reds’ powerful pack during the Championship-winning season and scored in the famous 19-13 win over Ealing Trailfinders, which effectively clinched the trophy.
Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam said: “With the current injury to Yann Thomas, we’re pleased to bring in a player of Sam’s ability and potential to give us extra cover at loosehead ahead of the new season.
“Jersey had a fantastic season in 2022/23, winning the Championship title under the leadership of Harvey Biljon, and their forward pack was a key part of that.
“We saw the development of James Dun [who spent last season on loan at the Reds] during his time on the Island, so we’re excited to see how Sam progresses with the Bears.”
Elliott was in the Falcons’ senior academy and went on to play for Yorkshire Carnegie before spending the last three seasons in Jersey.
He said: “It’s been a crazy week or so with everything that’s happened at Jersey, but I’m grateful to be back with Newcastle Falcons and I’m keen to get among it.
“The club has changed a lot since I left, but in many ways it also hasn’t. It’s quite surreal because last time I was here I was a 19-year-old kid. I’m still finding my feet but there are lots of familiar faces.
“To have more than three years at a club and for it all to stop with zero notice – it was just incredibly strange. That’s the only word I can really use, but everyone here has been really welcoming. It could have been a lot harder, and I know for a lot of the Jersey players it will have been.
“We started a family over in Jersey and we have a little ten-week-old daughter called Ruby. It’s unbelievable and I love being a dad, but it obviously didn’t help having the uncertainty around the Jersey situation.
“Taking the positive view, we’ve been able to move back to the North East where I’m close to family and we’ve got that support network around us. As well as having that help on hand it’s just nice for Ruby and the family to get to know each other properly, rather than being so far away.
“In rugby terms I just want to get among it as best I can, and keep learning.
“Jersey was great for me but I’d been there for three seasons, and it’s probably good for me to see another environment and keep pushing myself. I’m really happy that it’s back at a club I love, and that I’ve got the chance to work with the players and coaches we have here at the Falcons.”
Meanwhile, on social media, Longwell said he was “excited for the new challenge” of competing in the United Rugby Championship.
It had already been confirmed that winger Ben Woollett has joined Leicester Tigers, while centre Dan Barnes has agreed to play for Guernsey Raiders, while continuing to live in Jersey.
