10 Mar 2023

Lee Jewitt returns to Waterhead

Prop forward Lee Jewitt is back at Waterhead after an extensive professional career that took in 195 top-grade games for Wigan, Salford, Hull KR, Castleford, Barrow and Widnes.

It is almost two years since his last professional game, yet last weekend he lined up in the famous green and red of Waterhead.

How did the move come about? Over to Lee for the story.

"It was out of the blue, to be honest." He said, "So the coach John Perks, believe it or not, I used to, and I'm showing my age now, I was the mascot. I used to walk out when he was the captain of Waterhead, and he used to play all of them years ago. I was only a nipper so I was the mascot and he played alongside my uncle. And he just said would you think about coming back to Waterhead and kind of giving something back?

"They've got a young team as well, so you know give a bit of an influence amongst the young lads there. So I had a really good chat with my wife and my children and said one more year! I'll go back and I'll give something back to the club.

"As soon as I walked in, it was like I'd never left, same faces, same banter as well. Just that friendly atmosphere, a real family culture, that's one thing I did notice straight away. It's fantastic the way they have welcomed me and my family back."

Up until fairly recently, the club has been going through a tough period, however, Lee said that the togetherness has got the team through.

"People have stayed through thick and thin because they've been through some tough patches as well. But as far as what's changed, the whole culture, the whole persona of the club.

"They feel like they've got something special within that team. For me, I've done a couple of training sessions and one game with them, so it's not fair to put me within that team at the moment. But when I look at that and as soon as I came, they were all really, really close and really good mates.

"They're just such a tight group. A lot of these lads have played together since under fives, under sixes and they've come straight through together so they're really close so within the club you know the culture that you know Perksy, the coach and Keith Brennan - have created - it's been fantastic and you can see that it's fed through the club down into the junior ages as well."

"I was really nervous going back because it was always going to be difficult going back to your grassroots, especially putting that shirt on.

"But at the same time it's exciting and you can feel it. Like after the game last Saturday, you can just feel that they want that success, they want it and everyone's on board - everyone's on the journey and it's an exciting journey to be on."

The first game was a success with Waterhead defeating Milford 56-4. How did it for Jewitt?

I had an absolutely fantastic time, you know, just having a run around with these young lads. I'm pretty certain I'm the oldest now! But having a run around with these young lads, you know, the skill level is, and I said it after training, the skill level is phenomenal.

"Going into the game, the way they carried it into the game and the defensive approach, the all-round attitude, it was enjoyable to play, it really was. It's always nice playing against teams that I don't know much about, and I mean that in a very respectful way. It's a nice challenge for me as well."

This weekend, weather permitting, an Oldham derby is on the cards with Saddleworth Rangers hosting the Warriors after an equally impressive 18-14 win at Normanton and Jewitt is looking forward to it.

"What I do know is," he said, "that everything is going to be left out there for 80 minutes. It always is, regardless of where you play, a derby is a derby. You want to set a statement, especially within a small town like Oldham, and you've got two teams who are going to go for it. You want to come out on the other side of that with a smile on your face and be that number one team in Oldham. So yes, it will be fiery, it will be tough but it will be played with respect as well."

"Within Oldham, everyone does know each other and we get to know each other especially when you're playing against Saddleworth. My cousin Billy England plays for them."

Hear more from Lee in the 13 Pro Am Community podcast, available on Spreaker here.

Betfred Challenge Cup ties mean that several games are rearranged but there is still lots of action to look forward to including the Oldham derby at Saddleworth.

Fixtures
11th March

Premier Divison