Hull City owner's £1m gift to Rovers

The wealthy Egyptian-born businessman Assem Allam has put more than £1m into improving Hull Kingston Rovers.

Allam, who owns Hull City football club, has injected the cash after long negotiations with Rovers' chairman, Neil Hudgell.

He has no intention of joining the board and says he has invested in the club purely as a supporter. "The Allams are very astute businessmen and they don't put money into something without very careful consideration," said Hudgell.

The cash is ring-fenced for stadium improvements and strengthening the playing squad, rather then paying off debts. "I'm more than happy to help Rovers with their plan to deliver a top-class sporting venue in the east of the city," Allam said.

Keith Mason has agreed a new contract with Huddersfield up to 2015, by which time the prop will be 33. "I'm very grateful for the club's faith in me and I'm planning to reward them with some good years ahead," he said.

Giants' coach Nathan Brown said: "Keith is a hard-working player and that's something we have based ourselves on over the last few years."

Gateshead Thunder coach Richard Pell has left after 10 months in charge of the Championship One side, who are without a league win all season.