PAUL BREARLEY ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

PANTHERS PLAYER PAUL BREARLEY RETIRES TO FOCUS ON COMMITMENTS AWAY FROM THE GAME

Halifax Panthers player Paul Brearley has today announced his retirement from Rugby League as he looks to concentrate on life outside of the game and his ever expanding business.

Paul who was sponsored by Michael & Glenda Steele joined Fax from the Batley Bulldogs in winter of 2019 and made 5 appearances for the club in 2020, grabbing a try in a 4th round cup exit to Sheffield Eagles at Wakefield in February aswell as making a number of impressive hit outs.

In the short season at Fax he impressed scouts enough to earn a Super League contract with Toronto Wolfpack for 2021 but their rejected application and subsequent demise left Brearley without a contract moving forward and that was something Simon Grix was quick to take advantage of by bring the forward back to The Shay Stadium for 2021.

The 6’7 back-rower made three appearances for the Panthers at the start of the current season, featuring in our games against the Broncos, Bulls and Toulouse but work commitments away from the club and his ever expanding business has taken its toll with the player making it clear he only wanted to be able to give 100% for the club and felt the time was right to call it a day.

Paul Brearley on the decision to step away from the game, 

‘It was a very tough decision, but my business had grown through the lockdown and time away from rugby last year. It had got to the point where I couldn’t commit to the level I needed to be at to give my best for Halifax. I wish everyone all the best for the rest of the season and the future.”

“The club was great with me and Grixy was too when I made the decision yesterday and spoke to him. I’ll be supporting the boys for the rest of the year and sure they can kick on from a great win Sunday. Up the Panthers.”

Simon Grix praised Brearley for his honesty and says the player will be missed,

“It’s not great news at all for us. Paul is a great bloke and a very good player.”

“Unfortunately we haven’t seen the best of him but wish him all the best. As I am sure he will inform when he gets his opportunity, work commitments have increased significantly and with that the attention he can’t commit to the level the team deserves.”

“He has acted admirably really, I suppose he could of stayed and picked up his money knowing he wasn’t all in. Instead he has made a tough call for the right reasons.”

“We wish him all the best for the future and hope he gets his boots back out when he has got on top of his work commitments.”

Everyone at the club wishes Paul all the best with his future away from the game and look forward to welcoming Paul back to the Shay as a fan as soon as possible.

All the best Shoei 

#PanthersAreInTown

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