AFTER 10 years wearing the primrose and blue of Warrington Wolves, Simon Grix is in his Testimonial year and working with Tony Smith’s back-room performance team.

In the first of a series of columns from Grixy, he reflects on the club’s new signings for 2016

OFTEN when things look their worst, opportunity knocks.

This happened with me in the last few months but now with new challenges the future looks promising.

The same can be said for the new back-door recruits, Jordan Cox and probably more so for Ryan Bailey.

Jordan comes with time on his side and still plenty to prove.

In the Wolves environment and the style Tony Smith allows the boys to play we could have a rough diamond that may well offer something very different to our other forwards.

Ryan comes with the bad rep and a rap sheet as long as your arm.

He also comes with six Grand Final wins and a fair amount of international experience to boot.

He’s in the last-chance saloon and deserves his shot at redemption, and the boys are happy to welcome him into the fold.

In a salary capped competition it’s not always possible to go out and sign who’s on the top of the Christmas list.

With limited room on the cap and the risk far outweighed by the reward, both could prove to be shrewd business.

The other new signings are also great additions and we’ve seen what they can do in another jersey.

Given time to settle, Joe Westerman, Tom Lineham, Jack Hughes, Kurt Gidley and Mitchell Dodds will each, I’m sure, take us to another level.

You can probably never have enough leaders and Kurt has shown this quality, and more, over a highly decorated career. His experience and direction will prove invaluable to our younger players.

On a more personal note, I am fortunate to have been granted a Testimonial year by the Rugby Football League.

My committee is working hard to organise some spectacular events and I am looking forward to sharing these with fans, family and friends.

And the Warrington Wolves Foundation, who do fantastic work throughout the local community, is my nominated charity for the year. I’m very proud to continue to work alongside them and to be supporting them.

Tickets for my Testimonial game, Warrington Wolves v Leigh Centurions for the MBS Site Supplies Challenge Cup on Sunday, January 24, 2016, are available from Warrington Wolves, starting from £5.

Corporate packages are available, starting from £30. Please contact info@simongrix.co.uk for details.

My Testimonial Shirt, which Wolves will wear for that game, is now available to pre-order at www.1895sports.com. Last chance to pre-order in time for the game is this Friday.

Catch up with you again soon, Simon Grix.