“I always intended to sign back and finish playing for the club that moulded me into the player I became” commented Grazier. “The family environment that it gives off, the 5/6 years I’ve been away every time I’ve been back in club it’s like I’ve never been away.”
“Secondly I feel rovers should always be pushing for promotion and at least a top 4 team in DN1, last season winning 6 of the first 8 games showed that the players can do it with the right attitude and commitment, I’m here to hopefully help in pushing on when the season starts which if you look at the teams in the league this season it’s probably at a standard of NE1 with the big teams in it.”

Head coach Steve Smith was delighted with the signing “It will give us more quality in the squad and good competition in the back row. Disco is a very good player and will bring a wealth of experience from playing in a higher league with Consett.”

Rovers gain means a loss for Consett where Grazier has been playing and it wasn’t an easy decision for him to leave.

“Leaving Consett was a really tough decision specially after getting promoted again and the chance of playing NE1 rugby with some really talented lads and coaching set up is up there with the best I’ve played under. I wish them all the best and hopefully they’ll stay up and push on.”

But a new challenge awaits Stew and he can’t wait to get started.

“I’m really looking forward to derby days, West, Horden and Stockton always great games and a big battle. I will also have the chance to play with some of the lads who are still playing from when I was last playing, not many still are but hopefully some will start playing again and help the club push on and try to get back to what it was battling for the league and county cups.”