Michael Shenton

Michael Shenton

Personal information
Full name	Michael Shenton
Born	(1986-07-22) 22 July 1986 (age 38) Pontefract, West Yorkshire, England
Playing information
Height	6 ft 3 in (1.90 m)
Weight	14 st 9 lb (93 kg) [1]
Position	Centre
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 2004–10 Castleford Tigers 153 93 0 0 372 2011–12 St Helens 58 20 0 0 80 2013–21 Castleford Tigers 194 68 0 0 272 Total 405 181 0 0 724 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 2008–14 England 12 3 0 0 12
Source: [2] [3]

Michael Shenton (born 22 July 1986) is an English rugby league coach and former professional rugby league footballer who is currently the assistant coach for Wakefield Trinity in the RFL Championship.

An England international representative centre, he made his Castleford Tigers debut in 2004 and played over 150 times for the club before transferring to St Helens in 2010. In June 2012, Shenton signed a deal to re-join Castleford from the 2013 season, and it was later announced that he would be club captain.

Having played more than 300 games for the Tigers in all competitions, Shenton holds the club record for most Super League appearances after overtaking Danny Orr. ^[4] In 2017, he became the first Castleford captain to lead the club to a top-flight league title. He featured in the Super League Dream Team on three occasions.

Biography

Shenton was born in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, England.

Shenton is a product of the Castleford Tigers academy set up, beginning his professional career in 2004. Shenton was a member of the England Elite Training Squad as well, alongside his former Castleford Tigers teammate Joe Westerman. The 2010 Engage Super League season was Shenton's last season with his home town club before signing a three-year deal with St. Helens on 3 August 2010. ^[5] He returned to the Tigers in 2013.

Club career

Castleford Tigers

Shenton made his Castleford Tigers début on 1 May 2004 in a 28 v 42 defeat by Wigan Warriors. ^[6] That year he was also a member of the winning U18s Academy Grand Final Side that played against St. Helens.

In 2005, Shenton was establishing himself as a first team regular in the squad as a winger. As the season went on, Shenton moved into the centre of the side at the time. Tigers Head Coach David Woods said he was like NRL and Penrith Panthers Star Luke Lewis. Also in that year, Shenton played in the Northern Rail Cup Final against Hull Kingston Rovers. Shenton also played in the National League Grand Final against Whitehaven Rugby League, which Castleford won 36–8. ^[7]

2006 was another bad year for the Tigers, but it was a good year personally for Shenton who gave a good account of himself and showed that he was of Super League quality. Shenton had many rugby league pundits talking about him after his performance in Castleford Tigers 80th anniversary game on 16 July, in which they defeated Leeds Rhinos 31–30. ^[8] At the end of the season, Castleford were relegated and there were a lot of Super League clubs, including Wakefield Trinity Wildcats and Hull FC, chasing Shenton.

2007 saw Shenton stay loyal with his home-town club. It was a great season for both the Tigers and Shenton. Shenton was named in the National League One Dream Team, and was a member of the squad that won the National League One Champions trophy (finishing 1st in the league). He was a member of The National League One Grand Final team that won Cas promotion back to Super League. There were still a lot of super league clubs, including Bradford Bulls, chasing Shenton.

On 23 August 2008, Shenton made his 100th appearance for the club in a 44–24 victory against Warrington Wolves. ^[9] At the Tigers' end of season awards, Shenton won Back of The Year. 2009 showed Shenton grow as a senior player in the squad. At the Tigers' end of season awards, Shenton won Back of The Year again. He also won the Castleford Tigers Supporters Club's Special Achievement Award.

2010 proved to be Shenton's last season of his first spell with the Tigers.

Shenton playing for Castleford in 2010

Shenton finished his time with the Tigers against his new club, St Helens, in their last league game at Knowsley Road. ^[10] Shenton was the 2nd longest serving Castleford player in the squad, behind teammate Craig Huby.

St Helens

Shenton signed for St Helens on a three-year Deal. ^[5] Shenton scored his first try for the club in a 56–22 win over Salford.

He played in the 2011 Super League Grand Final defeat by Leeds at Old Trafford. ^{[11] [12]}

Return to Castleford Tigers

Shenton's return to Castleford from the 2013 season was announced on 7 June 2012. ^[13] He signed a four-year deal with the Tigers. It was later announced in December that he would be the club captain. ^[14]

On 27 March 2014, Shenton scored the 100th try of his Castleford career in their 54–6 win over London Broncos. ^[15] Shenton led out Castleford at the 2014 Challenge Cup Final defeat by the Leeds Rhinos at Wembley Stadium. ^[16] He was named in the Super League Dream Team in 2014. ^{[17] [18]}

Shenton in Castleford kit

Shenton was named in the Super League Dream Team for the second consecutive year at the end of the 2015 season. ^[19]

On 7 February 2016, Shenton was on the receiving end of a tackle by Hull KR's John Boudebza in the opening fixture of the Super League, sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee injury. ^[20] This injury resulted in Shenton missing the entirety of the 2016 season.

In 2017, Shenton captained Castleford to a 1st-placed finish in Super League, winning the club's first ever top-flight league title. ^[21] He lifted the League Leaders' Shield on 17 August following a 45–20 victory against local rivals Wakefield Trinity. Shenton also led out the Castleford team for the 2017 Super League Grand Final defeat by the Leeds Rhinos at Old Trafford. ^{[22] [23] [24]}

Shenton was named in the Super League Dream Team for the third time in his career at the end of the 2017 season. ^[25]

Shenton celebrated his testimonial year in 2020, playing against Toronto Wolfpack on 19 January for his testimonial match. ^[26]

On 17 July 2021, he captained Castleford in their 2021 Challenge Cup Final defeat against St Helens at Wembley. ^[27]

International career

Shenton made his international début for England on 10 October 2008, defeating Wales 74–0 at the Keepmoat Stadium. ^[28] Shenton was called into the 2008 Rugby League World Cup train-on squad but missed out on going to Australia.

In 2009, Shenton played in England's mid-season international against France on 13 June. He also played against Wales in the Four Nations warm-up match on 17 October. Shenton played in all 4 of England's matches in the Four Nations, including in the Final against Australia. ^[29]

In 2010, Shenton played in the mid-season international against France on 12 June, scoring his 1st England try in their 60–6 victory at Leigh Sports Village. He played against New Zealand Māori on 16 October in the Four Nations warm-up match. ^[30] Shenton played in the opening match of the Four Nations 2010, against New Zealand on 23 October.

In 2011, Shenton played in the International Origin match against the Exiles on 10 June at Headingley. ^[31]

In 2014, Shenton played and scored a try for England in the opening match of the Four Nations 2014 against Samoa. ^[32]

Coaching career

Following his retirement as a player, Shenton joined Hull F.C. as the reserves and academy team coach and head of emerging talent. ^[33]

He is currently the assistant coach to Daryl Powell at Wakefield Trinity. ^[34]

Career summary

Signed from Amateur Club – Upton RLFC

Honours

• 2004 – U18s Academy Grand Final Winner
• 2005 – Northern Rail Cup Final Runners-up
• 2005 – National League One Grand Final Winner
• 2007 – National League One Grand Final Winner
• 2008 – England Rugby League Début
• 2009 – Four Nations Runners-up
• 2011 – Super League Grand Final Runners-up
• 2014 – Challenge Cup Final Runners-up
• 2017 – Super League League Leaders Shield Winners
• 2017 – Super League Grand Final Runners-up
• 2021 – Challenge Cup Final Runners-up

Club statistics

Appearances and points in all competitions by year

Club	Season	Tier	App	T	G	DG	Pts
Castleford Tigers	2004	Super League	3	0	0	0	0
	2005	National League One	29	24	0	0	96
	2006	Super League	27	8	0	0	32
	2007	National League One	20	19	0	0	76
	2008	Super League	22	13	0	0	52
	2009	Super League	30	19	0	0	76
	2010	Super League	22	10	0	0	40
	2013	Super League	27	5	0	0	20
	2014	Super League	32	18	0	0	72
	2015	Super League	28	14	0	0	56
	2016	Super League	1	0	0	0	0
	2017	Super League	28	7	0	0	28
	2018	Super League	30	10	0	0	40
	2019	Super League	12	3	0	0	12
	2020	Super League	17	7	0	0	28
	2021	Super League	19	4	0	0	16
	Total		347	161	0	0	644
St Helens	2011	Super League	32	13	0	0	52
	2012	Super League	26	7	0	0	28
	Total		58	20	0	0	80
Career total			405	181	0	0	724

England statistics

Against	App	T	G	FG	Pts
Australia	2	0	0	0	0
Exiles	1	0	0	0	0
France	3	2	0	0	8
Māori	1	0	0	0	0
New Zealand	2	0	0	0	0
Samoa	1	1	0	0	4
Wales	2	0	0	0	0
Totals	12	3	0	0	12

References

1. "Castleford Tigers 1st Team Michael Shenton". Official Castleford Tigers web site. Castleford Tigers Rugby League Football Club Ltd. 2015. Archived from the original on 22 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
2. RL Record Keepers' Club
3. Rugby League Project
4. "Congratulations Shenny!". Castleford Tigers. 8 June 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
5. "St Helens sign Michael Shenton from Castleford Tigers". BBC. 3 August 2010.
6. "Castleford 28-42 Wigan". 1 May 2004. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
7. "Castleford return to Super League". 9 October 2005. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
8. Fitzpatrick, Paul (16 July 2006). "Castleford hand out a lesson in Jungle survival". The Daily Telegraph. ISSN   0307-1235 . Retrieved 25 June 2019.
9. "Castleford 44-24 Warrington". 24 August 2008. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
10. "St Helens 40-30 Castleford". 4 September 2010. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
11. "Leeds claim Grand Final glory as inspired Rob Burrow sinks St Helens". The Guardian. 8 October 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
12. "St Helens 16 Leeds 32". The Daily Telegraph. 8 October 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
13. "Centre Michael Shenton to rejoin Castleford from St Helens". 7 June 2012. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
14. "Michael Shenton to captain Castleford in 2013". 4 December 2012. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
15. "Super League: London Broncos 6-54 Castleford Tigers". 27 March 2014. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
16. "Leeds lift Challenge Cup after Ryan Hall's double stuns Castleford". The Guardian. 23 August 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
17. "Challenge Cup final: Castleford Tigers 10-23 Leeds Rhinos". 23 August 2014. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
18. "Super League Dream Team: Jamie Peacock named for 10th time". 15 September 2014. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
19. "Leeds Rhinos dominate 2015 Super League Dream Team". 28 September 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
20. "Michael Shenton: Castleford Tigers captain to miss season". 9 February 2016. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
21. "Super 8s: Castleford Tigers 45-20 Wakefield Trinity". 17 August 2017. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
22. "Castleford 6-24 Leeds: Grand Final 2017 – as it happened". The Guardian. 7 October 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
23. "Grand Final 2017: Castleford 6-24 Leeds Rhinos". BBC Sport. 7 October 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
24. "Danny McGuire guides Leeds to Grand Final success over Castleford". The Guardian. 7 October 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
25. "Super League Dream Team: Six Castleford Tigers players in team of 2017 season". 25 September 2017. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
26. "Tigers lose out in Shenton testimonial". Castleford Tigers. 19 January 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
27. "Challenge Cup: St Helens beat Castleford 26-12 for first Wembley victory since 2008". BBC.
28. "England 74-0 Wales". 10 October 2008. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
29. "Michael Shenton – Career Stats & Summary – Rugby League Project". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
30. "England draw Four Nations warm-up game". BBC Sport. 16 October 2010. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
31. "George Carmont snatches Exiles victory at Headingley". BBC Sport. 10 June 2011. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
32. "Four Nations: England defeat Samoa 32-26 in thrilling opener". 25 October 2014. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
33. Smith, Peter (27 September 2021). "Ex-Castleford Tigers captain Michael Shenton joins Super League rivals Hull FC". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
34. "Wakefield Trinity boss Daryl Powell reunites with 'the most impressive young coach in the game' at Belle Vue". Love Rugby League. 27 October 2023.

External links

• Castleford Tigers profile
• (archived by web.archive.org) Castleford profile
• (archived by web.archive.org) Cas Tigers profile
• Profile at thecastlefordtigers.co.uk at the Wayback Machine (archived 27 February 2012)
• SL profile