Griffin announces his retirement from rugby league

8 minutes ago
3 min read

York Knights forward, Josh Griffin has confirmed he’s retiring from rugby league, after an 18 year career.

He’s made the decision after suffering a pectoral muscle injury against Toulouse Olympique in April, which ruled him out long term.

He made 11 appearances for York since joining in the off season from Wakefield Trinity, and scored one try.

His career also took him to Huddersfield Giants, Castleford Tigers, Batley Bulldogs and Salford Red Devils, but it was at Hull FC where he had the most success in a spell that lasted seven seasons.

Griffin was in the team that won the Betfred Challenge Cup, beating Wigan Warriors in the 2017 final.

He said: "While this has been an incredibly hard decision, ultimately its been taken out of my hands due to my injury.

"The chances of me playing again this season were very slim. I was obviously due to retire at the end of the year and I thought it was right for me to retire now from playing.

"That doesn't mean I still won't be around the club. I'm still associated with York. I will still be using the physios and attending matches, but I wanted the closure for myself. I was wondering whether to rush myself back and get fit for the end of the season and obviously increase my risk of injury again. But I needed this closure.

"It's been an incredibly hard few weeks to come to this decision and I believe that for me to make it public has allowed me to accept that I m now retired. I can process that and I can move on with fond memories and look forward to the future.

"I want to thank York, they're a great club, I've loved every minute of going onto the field with the lads and representing York Knights in their first year in Super League. That first Super League win will love long in my memory.

"I'll look forward to what's next. Hopefully I'll still be involved in the club next season in some capacity.

"I'd just like to thank everyone for their messages and their wishes."

Knights head coach, Mark Applegarth said: “When Josh told me he was hanging up his boots, my first thought wasn’t about what we’d lose on the field, it was what we were losing as a person off it.

“Josh is 19 seasons deep into a professional career that has taken him from a teenager at Wakefield to a Challenge Cup winner at Hull FC, and now to this incredible York Knights story. That journey doesn’t happen without an exceptional human being behind it.

“I’ve had the privilege of working with Josh twice as a coach, first when I brought him to Wakefield in 2023, and then again here at York. Both times, the impact was immediate. Not just in performances, but in the standard he set around the building every single day. That’s rare. That’s what genuine professionalism looks like. I also had the pleasure of playing with Josh when our paths crossed under John Kear at Batley.

“This season has been a tough one for Josh personally, with his pectoral injury cutting short what we both hoped would be a fitting final chapter in Super League. But the 11 appearances he gave us, including that great win over Hull KR in our opening fixture that will live long in York folklore, summed him up perfectly. He gives everything, every time.

“Over 300 professional appearances. A Challenge Cup winner. A player who made everyone around him better. Josh Griffin has been one of the finest professionals I’ve ever worked with, and I have no doubt his influence will be felt at this club long after he’s retired.

“On behalf of everyone at York Knights, the coaching staff, the players, the supporters, thank you, Griff. You’ve earned every bit of what comes next.”

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