I think to be fair to the lad it wasn't only his physical fitness that was a worry, I believe, although not certain, that he also had some personal problems as well which can also knock your fitness back somewhat.
I don't understand this bit about coming from your arch-rivals though cos' we would have been in a bit of state over the past few years if we hadn't had several ex-Haven lads in our team. Some of them didn't hack it for us but they pulled the shirt on and put their bodies on the line.