We’ll be delving into the story behind the player. Showing you what it’s took for the player to get to where they are now, right from the very first trot as a child. Trot the egg in will give you the real character on and off the field. Hope you enjoy listening.
A castleford fan & frequent terrace attendee, the dream was to wear that shirt in the first team. That wasn't to be but the story that unfolded was nothing short of amazing. Playing for Leeds & Halifax led him to being a part of two unreal dynasty's at Bradford then St Helens. Now coaching the future stars of this country. Some story.
This is a story of a lad who loved the physical sport and that to him was boxing and rugby. Stanley rangers developed him into an elite level player but a great fella. He tells me all about his pro career both sides of the touch line and how rugby can be amazing yet underhanded. Some sport rugby isn't it?
Wakey born & bred their was only ever one team this fella would support. Wakefield trinity was the holy grail for him as a kid. Combining rugby and cricket he loved his childhood and this would continue on in his senior life too. A career at the highest level included him playing in home World Cup final & also wicket keeping on the sly for his local club. What a journey within rugby this fella has had.
A one club man when it came to his playing career, winning trophies & playing against international blokes. When coaching came along he was versatile and adaptive as his roles varied depending on the clubs requirements. Despite the previous his career either side of the touch line has been very successful. It's now family time for Paul & very well deserved.
A lad from Bramley who just loved playing sports, regardless of which sport it was. Handy at all sports little did he realise he was shaping his future career in rugby league with all learnt attributes from these sports. He played for his hometown club & country with spells elsewhere before going on to become a player developer. What a fine fella Paul is.
This #Rugbystory heralds from Leeds & Wakefield but developed in Huddersfield. Deciding his own path from a young age Matty has always sort a challenge, turning down offers from big clubs to remain loyal to the giants and prove his worth to them. It's not always been plain sailing, he's had to show what he's capable of in other environments. Plenty left to play out in this #Rugbystory yet.
A story made in London & beyond. Opportunities have been grabbed with both hands and he's never shied away from a challenge either on home soil or abroad. A great mindset that enables him to thrive either playing or coaching on the field. Some story so far across multiple sports and organisations.
A story born on Weldon Road, Castleford. It was inevitable that he was bound for rugby league and castleford tigers. Schoolboy rugby alongside a strong willed dad and he had the ingredients to do well and achieve great things. Teaching whilst playing brought out his nurturing side and coaching was soon to arrive. Massive success was had in the challenge cup with clubs and overall doing some outstanding work with clubs that punched above their weight. What an absolute gentleman this fella is.
A story begun in QLD Australia, he made his name for his local side Casino RL before moving to Sydney to make a name for himself which he did. Playing in a couple of GF's he decided to come to the uk, coaching took over playing and his career speaks for itself. What a #Rugbystory.
A time spent moving around South Africa as a kid with his family helped shape this legend into what he would become. St. Helens & par would become his home & St Cuthberts his eduction both on & off the field. A love was ignited & Saints were his club. Some career this great had & well his story in his own words tells it all.
A proud wiganer that harboured ambitions to become a warrior. Learning his craft through grassroots rugby it was soon noticeable this lad can play a bit. He loved smashing people and getting his hands on the ball. Hooker is the ideal place for the bloke and he excelled their for Wigan, Widnes & Swinton. A great bloke with a great story.
A story born in Hull that's very unorthodox in its origin. Cricket was a passion with rugby union played at school but medicine was the ultimate goal. Combine medicine with sport and that's the dream right? Listen and find out.
A story hailing from Wigan with the ultimate ambition of realising the dream of being a Wigan Warrior. Someone who made rep teams & sacrificed things in his private life to achieve his ambitions. He's faced adversity & come out the other side. He contributes to others massively & incredibly passionate in creating safe spaces to be in & chat.
A journey in Rugby so unique, I highly doubt you'll hear one like it again. He learnt his craft at full back & loose forward, the latter being where he was signed for Rochdale. He later embarked on a journey within coaching at the likes of Leicester Tigers, Gloucester & Sale Sharks.
Oliver hails from Brighouse & is a family man through & through. Learning more from being out with his uncle than a classroom he began his Rugby story with Old Brodelians RUFC. Siddal were soon to take over his chosen passion & Ollie excelled. He's having a great rugby career but for me his best works come off it in his occupation. Some man is Olly.
A Widnes lad that found rugby by accident but loved it straight away. Initially playing rugby league at school an invite to a union club turned Tom into an unbelievable number seven. He remained loyal to Widnes RUFC throughout his career whilst playing rugby league for Halton Farnworth Hornets now and then. He's a really great fella and a doting family man who has been through a lot and come out the other side. What a guy.
A story that is proudly from Bramley and represented one club in his amateur days and exactly the same in the pro game. The previous being extremely rare in a salary capped sport. He was a firm fans favourite and epitomises why his Leeds team went so well. All the characteristics you'd want in a player but most importantly a person. Silverware was something he managed to get his hands on a lot and loved every single final he played in. What a guy.
Heralding from Wigan, what else was this man meant to be but a Rugby League player. Yet he began playing football only to led to Orrell St James & the rest is history. He became one of the first names on the team sheet wherever he went through hard work & ability. Could he have ever imagined where it would take him? I'll be honest, I think not.
A story hailing from Haydock that happened to be a one club amateur man with Haydock ARLFC. Beginning really early Jordy began to make big strides and loved the game as well as Warrington Wolves. His life has had massive family connection that still exist today, he acknowledges everyone he's come across playing the game he loves and is a really respectful guy that takes nothing for granted.
A young man from Leigh wants to live his dream of playing Rugby League professionally. A big united & Wigan fan growing up he managed to play both sports until later in his teens. Snapped up by Warrington Wolves he got a taste for the serious part of the game before being released and returning to Leigh East. This only ignited his passion again and his true story unfolds.
Some story for a lady from Widnes, following Widnes Vikings but making it with St. Helens RFC. Never could she have imagined where her playing career would take her after her family going through the mill and being in a difficult relationship. An absolute credit to Sts, her family but more importantly herself.
A Widnes born and bred man could only be into one thing surely? That was rugby league and Widnes RLFC. He did dip in & out of rugby union with Widnes RUFC & Birchfield RUFC but he followed Widnes RL & then went on to report about them & also worked for them during the Neil Kelly regime. Their aren't many stories around like Andrews, believe me.
A story born & bred in Widnes that follows Widnes RLFC & Everton FC. Rugby become something he loved doing in high school and he never looked back. The Wids was now a home from home though he did venture into Rugby League sporadically. A fine family man who still puts the boots on when he can to help his club and mates out.
A #Rugbystory that begins later in Leah's life but is born in Leigh. A highly talented gymnast that competed domestically on the biggest stage alongside Olympians until injury made her consider different challenges. Thankfully whilst at uni rugby was that challenge, initially rugby union was the first hurdle but gentle persuasion from her sister got Leah to St Helens and as they say the rest is history. She's managed to rep Lancashire & England, this ladies future is incredibly bright.
A Widnes lad that grew up playing rugby union & league and loves Widnes Vikings. Having tasted both codes Union is where he found his talents more privy to. He's travelled to the other side of the world and tried that culture but returned home and has settled in Leeds and at Yarnbury RFC. Some story with some chapters still to write and live
A #Rugbystory born in billinge, repping Wigan town team but playing senior rugby for the team he supports in St Helens. A great career that's not hit it's peak yet. He's had scary moments but he's now in a position of beginning his transition career.
A Widnesian who played his junior rugby in both Warrington and Widnes and signed pro forms with Wire despite a few other options. Rubbing shoulders with greats of the game gave this man a rugby education like no other. A move to his hometown club came about and then played for Rochdale and Swindon. During the latter stages he prepared for the next chapter by working with tradesmen and picked their brains to hone his own skills.
The #Rugbystory that begins with a real passion for football & Man Utd. Leigh miners came along and the rest, as they say, is history. A real desire to play for his hometown club was realised & his career took Ian all over the place. Some story he shares with us this episode.
A story born in Liverpool at St Edwards College but delivered at clubs like Widnes RUFC & Brisbane Irish to name a few this lad has lit up many a pitch & night out. A great lad who enhances any environment he enters & is a match winner most weeks. He's been all over the world & isn't afraid to give experiences a try.
A Leigh native who is passionate about Rugby League and reaching the top by developing himself and his players. A playing career cut short due to injury but a successful one as well but by his own admission didn't give it the go he deserved. Coaching on the other hand he's gave it everything and continues to strive for greatness as he's been very successful already with chapters still to be written. A fine fella who I believe people want to play for and fans want to get behind.
From the heart of Ditton in Widnes came this evertonian mad sportsman. His first love was football but rugby was soon to take over. A grafter on the field has his dreams and ambitions to work for and didn't he do just that. An unorthodox story told by the gentleman himself. Some career this fine young man had.
A South African born #Rugbystory that has developed into the most sought after defensive coach in the world. Forging his career in his homeland and Europe he has become really adaptive and effective in the modern game. A great fella who is always thinking outside of the box for the next way of doing things yet is so current and explosive in his methods.
A story born, bred and developed in Widnes. A great lad who values family and friends in very high regards and loves his rugby of both codes. It was Union that G really explored while giving League a season. He loved his time at the Wids but work and life took him to London where he has really settled down and found what he is and what he enjoys. Rugby has till been a big part of this and will always play a key role in his life.
A Leeds lad who played multi sports but committed to Rugby League. An unsavoury act of racism whilst playing made him leave the game for a bit but he returned to the sport he loved. Signing for his hometown team and winning silverware was an absolute dream for him but his journey took him to pastures new at some big clubs. He's currently enjoying life at Sheffield Eagles and continues to be the ultimate competitor.
A Widnes born legend who went on to represent his hometown on the field. Flourishing in the 13 jersey meant that clubs would notice him and St Helens spent a lot of money to sign him. He won the Challenge Cup, Lance Todd, Harry Sunderland, Man of Steel. His spell here was extremely successful as he was with England & Great Britain, Winning the World Cup in 1972. He toured some amazing places such as Australia, New Zealand, France & Papua New Guinea. He also had spells with Cardiff RL & Salford Red Devil's. An absolute Gent with an amazing family.
A lad from Oldham who grew up playing any sport he could and supporting Man Utd. Rugby was always his passion and something he wanted to be the best at. A career that has seen him establish himself as a first choice half back and an international. A good guy with a few chapters yet to write.
A #Rugbystory born and bred in Ireland first with football but then Rugby Union. Ulster was his province and he was in and around the club until a move to England and Rotherham TItans came about. A life changing loss happened and his journey led to southern England with first Cornish Pirates and then the Exeter Chiefs and what a spell the latter would turn out to be.
A St Helens born Widnes fan that played lots of sport growing up and managed to live out a dream of playing for the club he supported. He had some career and got fees payed for him which is very rare in Rugby League. Jason shares his life and rugby journey with me.
A Cumbrian lad that loved his Rugby League and everything that came with it. He became a father figure before his time at home but soon made a new family with Barrow. He spent time both in England & Australia playing and formed many friendships. He come home and began coaching having spells with clubs such as Widnes, Wigan and Leeds while also gaining international honours coaching with England, France, Serbia & Great Britain.
A story beginning in Western Sydney where Tiaki grew up until France became home. Some junior rugby was played here until a return to Sydney and he continued honing his talents here whilst working as he left school at fifthteen. He returned to France and was spotted by Catalan Dragons whilst playing for St Esteve. His talent has been spotted by Wigan Warriors where the next chapter has begun.
A story born and bred in Wigan. A sport fanatic that dreamt of representing his hometown. Excelling in junior rugby up until a serious injury put a halt to a promising playing career. Coaching became his next love and what a career he had at some massive clubs like Salford, Widnes and Wigan whilst coaching Scotland national team. He now does great things with RL Cares.
An Ashton Bears junior who grew up wanting to be a Wigan Warrior. He achieved this before a move to rivals St Helens. A career change ignited a love for coaching, which he's having a great career with. Some story with many chapters left to write.
An adopted Widnesian chats about growing up in St. Helens and playing football. A chance call up to his school rugby team changed his life. Saints came calling and the rest is history as they say, only for a serious injury to call time on his playing days. A top bloke with a great story, plenty more to come from Sherlock yet.
We hear how Ant began his sporting journey with Rugby League, yet he really excelled in the pool and was selected nationally. Rugby League soon became his sporting choice and it's a huge decision to make for a young lad. He talks us through turning pro and the devastating news of having to retire young, only to be resolute and determined in his effort to return. Some story for a young bloke, with plenty of chapters left to be written and lived.
Ollie chats about growing up in Rugby Union hotbed Bridgend. He tells us about the successful sports people from his school, playing rep rugby growing up, being told he's to small and getting an opportunity with Leeds Rhinos. This was all before leaving school. The Leeds opportunity changed his life and he eventually headed down under with Ipswich jets, to experience a new culture and lifestyle. Now helping people with their mindset, he's thriving in a different way.
We hear how a Salford lad began his life, progressed through school, thrived at rugby and made a real successful career for himself with some massive clubs. He embraced team culture and individual discipline which led to winning silverware and international recognition and caps. The story is far from over as he looks to help Salford reach the next level. What a player but more importantly what a person, partner and father.
A journey beginning in Yorkshire at hometown clubs Newsone Panthers & Huddersfield Giants. A pro career with some outstanding highs and personal lows but he found his way to SL which was a huge personal goal. He'd began prepping for life post rugby during his career and now he's reaping the rewards of that. What a bloke.
We discuss why we grow a “Muzzy” and the great causes we do it for. Raising funds and awareness for Men's mental, physical and emotional health and well-being is vastly important to us. We've all been affected by the previous in one way or another and this chat tells you how.
A fine man who was born and bred in Widnes. Growing up loving all sports, he came across Widnes Rugby League Football Club. He followed them home and away until he began playing Rugby Union at Fairfield High School because of the famous Ray French. The Wids was his next big love and this is where he would make a massive impact initially on the field and later on off it. Some great memories and spoke about from G, what an absolute Gent.
A Blackbrook Royals junior who grew up admiring St Helens RLFC. Coming through the service area and scholarship at Sts had him primed for academy level but he was released. This is when Deons story really started. A career that has included Rochdale Hornets, Barrow Raiders, Widnes Vikings and currently Salford Red Devil's. He's represented England knights with great pride and further aspirations for a “full” cap.
Adam hails from Ditton, Widnes that has produced fine players to rugby. Growing up it was always ever Rugby that he wanted to crack. His junior career was spent with Halton Farnworth Hornets and Widnes St Marie's. I don't doubt he could ever have imagined the career and life he'd have playing the game he adored. From playing first team at his hometown club Widnes Vikings to Australia with the Dolphins to recently leaving Widnes to sign for the ambitious Oldham. What a story for the big man to share.