Wakefield Trinity • Ex-Player Interviews
Let's start with Danny Washbrook the player. Tell us about your junior days and why you played Rugby League ?
I started playing at 7 years old. My friends from further down my street played for a team called Humbe Social Club. They were only a small club, just had 2 teams. Managed to score a try in my first game and loved it from then on. We merged with Skirlaugh at Under 12s and then at u16s I moved to Embassy and played there for 2 years.
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You started off at Hull FC. What were your memories of your first stint at Hull ?
The main memory would probably be playing in the GF in 2006. It was my first full season in the team, I played 20 games in total that season, and only 12 months earlier in 2005 I'd played in the u21s GF and here I was playing at Old Trafford only 12 months later.
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A move to Wakefield in 2012, how did that move come about and what attracted you to Wakefield ?
Rich Agar had announced he was leaving Hull FC at the end of the 2011 season and Hull had offered me a 2 year contract. But Rich rang me and told me he was taking the Wakefield job and that he'd like me to go. I spoke with an ex team mate of mine, Gareth Raynor and he basically said if you stay at Hull there's every chance you'll be in the same position 2 years down the line, playing 20 games a season, not first choice. Whereas at Wakefield it would be a fresh start and potential to be first choice. And it turned out to be great advice.
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Can you remember your debut at Wakefield and how did the game go ?
We played Widnes on their brand new 'ipitch'. They were keen as mustard as they'd just been promoted and they started like a house on fire but we managed to get the win. It was absolutely freezing, and the pitch actually felt frozen!
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We made the playoffs in your first year in 2012 before losing to eventual winners Leeds. What were your memories of that season ?
I have lots of memories from that season, we finished the season winning 7 games in a row to make the play offs which was a really good run. But I remember Gary Schofield saying if we made the play offs he'd run around Belle Vue naked. And fair play to him. He turned up on mad Monday in just a dressing gown, took it off, did a lap of the field and then joined us for a beer!
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A few years later and you were involved in the Million Pound game against Bradford !! How did that game go for you and relief of survival (again) for Wakefield ?
At the time, I'd already agreed to sign back at Hull, so as much as the result didn't matter in terms of the following year for me, I felt that I owed my team mates, the fans and the club to make sure I gave everything I had to get the win. And I'd like to think I did. And winning it was such a great way to finish my time at Wakefield by securing their survival. Even got a try!
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The Super League journey was never far from easy for Wakefield though. Can you give us some other highs and lows of your time at Trinity ?
Some of the highs would be making the play offs in 2012, we played Leeds on a Monday night in a charity kit and beat them, that was another high, a couple of good wins over Cas, one in the first game of 2015, I managed to score the winner.
We had some lows, particularly going on a long losing streak in 2015 I think it was, and a performance against Cas at Magic weekend in Newcastle.
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We interviewed Dean Collis recently and he mentioned he has kept in touch with you. Was there anyone in particular who you bonded with with during your time at Wakefield and what about keeping in touch with your ex-teammates now ?
I stay in touch with a fair few of my Wakey team mates, Kirmo, Richie Mathers, Dean Collis, Jacob Miller, Paul Aiton, Scruts, Hally, Motu...probably more too ha!
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You left to re-join Hull FC again and had a bit of success there with two Challenge Cup wins and a couple of close runs in the play offs. What can you share with us about those years including the opportunity to play and win at Wembley ?
2016 and 17 were probably the 2 best years of my career. I was playing well, playing regularly and contributing to what was a really good couple of seasons for Hull FC. Winning at Wembley in 2016 was a dream come true, and broke Hulls hoodoo at Wembley. So to go back in 2017 and win it again was unreal.
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341 games and 35 tries in your career. Do you have a favourite try you scored for Wakefield and you can also give us your best from Hull as well ?
My favourite try for Wakefield was probably one from a kick against Leeds. Tim Smith looked up and I pointed to the line and his kick was perfect and I somehow managed to beat Ben Jones Bishop to the ball and get my hand on it.
For Hull it was probably the first ever try I scored for the club against Salford in 2006. I side stepped a couple of people from about 40m out and then beat the full back for speed to the line...not sure where that speed went haha.
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And what about Danny Washbrook now, career wise after rugby ? What do you do and what keeps you busy?
I have 2 sons who are into football so they keep me pretty busy! Ferrying them around all over, particularly my youngest as I help coach that team. Work wise I have a job with a recruitment firm in Hull called Novum Personnel. I've been there since Feb 2020 and I'm really enjoying it.
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Let’s finish with a chance to reflect on the players you played with in your career. Give us your dream team 1-13 of players that you played with from all the teams that you have been involved with ?
This is going to be a tough one!!
FB - Jamie Shaul
Wingers - Ben Cockayne, Tuli Talanoa
Centres - Kirk Yeaman, Dean Collis
Stand off - Rich Horne
Scrum Half - Tim Smith
Props - Mark O'Meley, Scott Taylor
Hooker - Danny Houghton
Second Row - Danny Kirmond, Sika Manu
Loose forward - Gareth Ellis
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And from that team, who would captain it and why ?
Gaz Ellis would be captain, absolutely unreal player and leader. Brought the best out of everyone else when he played.
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And to end with, anything you would like to add to the Wakefield fans out there that will read this ?
Just like to say a massive thanks for all the support over the 4 years I was there and for turning out in good numbers for mine and Kirmos testimonial game in 2019. Times are tough at the moment for the club but things can only get better, keep turning up and keep believing!
Kind Regards
Danny Washbrook
Statistics: Posted by RWBA Wakefield Group — Mon Jun 19, 2023 8:08 pm — Replies 9 — Views 1047