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How St Helens got Deon Cross for free as RFL take legal advice

St Helens have finally got their man.

St Helens were able to sign Deon Cross on a free transfer after the RFL deregistered him from Salford Red Devils following legal advice. Saints confirmed the arrival of the outside back on Friday, but made a point of stating they had neither paid a fee or exchanged players in order to bring the player to the club.

Saints have been trying to secure a deal for Cross for several weeks, but the Reds had refused to sell the player as they did not believe Saints had provided a satisfactory deal. Negotiations saw Salford ask for a £30,000 transfer fee while player swaps were also mentioned, but the two clubs came to a stalemate.

However, a breakthrough came on Friday morning after the governing body agreed that they would deregister Cross as a Salford player after claims were put forward to them the club had breached contract. After receiving legal advice, it was decided that they would deregister Cross as a Salford player, essentially making him a free agent. That allowed Saints to get their man.

The nature of the claims made against Salford are unclear but All Out Rugby League has been told that multiple claims were made against the Super League club and the RFL felt there was enough evidence to suggest there had been a breach of contract.

The news is thought to have come as a major shock to the Reds, who were only informed of the ruling on Friday morning. They had remained adamant that they would not sell Cross until they received a satisfactory offer, irrespective of the fact he had not trained or played for the club since April 10th.

In Saints' press release confirming the news, there was no reference to Salford whatsoever, while Cross did not mention them either.

“I’m very excited! I’m really looking forward to pulling on that Red V and it feels quite surreal.

“It feels like a massive, full-circle moment, it’s crazy! I live in the town, this is my hometown club, all my family we are big supporters, and they don’t have to be neutrals anymore!

“This is more than just a club for me, with all the history and the connections I have got between the club and my family. I can’t wait!

“I’ve been a fan growing up, a season ticket holder when I was a young lad, and now being coached by Paul Wellens, who I used to watch when he played at Knowsley Road. I think you have to pinch yourself sometimes.”

https://www.alloutrugbyleague.co.uk/new ... ommunities

McManus helps bring Woods back, the RFL suddenly help ST Helens.

How is that not against "the spirit of the cap"

The whole thing stinks frankly and more than a little classless from player and club

fozzie58 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 28, 2025 11:13 am The whole thing stinks frankly and more than a little classless from player and club

Yes this 100%. But not suprised Mc manus. Shown many times how classless he is. As for cross hope he gets what he deserves shocking behaviour.

fozzie58 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 28, 2025 11:13 am The whole thing stinks frankly and more than a little classless from player and club

I totally agree. Disgraceful, these clubs are like fecking vultures fighting over a few scraps!

You would have thought "saints’ would have wanted to help another SL club in this instance & paid the 30 grand, but no, fecking typical!

For the clubs that signed other players from Salford and paid a transfer fee, are they now entitled to ask for a refund as I would presume whatever the legal stipulation is for the contract breach would apply to these players also.

Saints’ behaviour is what you would expect from McManus, but the decision making from the RFL is questionable once again and continues to raise eyebrows across our sport.

Any player is now available from Salford for a free transfer, because surely the breach of contract applies to them all?

fozzie58 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 28, 2025 11:13 am The whole thing stinks frankly and more than a little classless from player and club

Saints are asset strippers. No class whatsoever. At least Cross was looking after his mates hmm.

This is a great example of why the game needs to be run more collectively. Saints actions are explicitly against the interests of the sport as a whole. They make it more likely that a club will be unable to fulfill their fixtures and the competition could suffer serious financial repercussions on the TV deal terms (other have said this) if fixtures aren't completed. They have also undermined the RFLs strategy of aiding Salfords short term viability with transfer fees.
The RFL are so weak that they are not able to stand up for those policies when even the threat of legal action is on the table. This is all down to the financial competition that pits teams against one another on a commercial basis rather than working together to improve the finances of the sport whilst competing on the field. What's good for saints is bad for everyone else. These decisions should not be taken in that way.

A strong sport would veto the transfer on the grounds that it is not in the interest of the competition and ensure that all franchises playing in that competition understand that all transfers must be sanctioned under those criteria.

A player is of course entitled to pursue contract breaches against the offending organization, but that doesn't have to mean undermining the whole sport.

Mike wrote: ↑Mon Apr 28, 2025 7:20 pm This is a great example of why the game needs to be run more collectively. Saints actions are explicitly against the interests of the sport as a whole. They make it more likely that a club will be unable to fulfill their fixtures and the competition could suffer serious financial repercussions on the TV deal terms (other have said this) if fixtures aren't completed. They have also undermined the RFLs strategy of aiding Salfords short term viability with transfer fees.
The RFL are so weak that they are not able to stand up for those policies when even the threat of legal action is on the table. This is all down to the financial competition that pits teams against one another on a commercial basis rather than working together to improve the finances of the sport whilst competing on the field. What's good for saints is bad for everyone else. These decisions should not be taken in that way.

A strong sport would veto the transfer on the grounds that it is not in the interest of the competition and ensure that all franchises playing in that competition understand that all transfers must be sanctioned under those criteria.

A player is of course entitled to pursue contract breaches against the offending organization, but that doesn't have to mean undermining the whole sport.

Spot on Mike