On match-days he is almost always accompanied by his staunchest supporters and critics – his wife, Rachel, a nurse at Pinderfields Hospital, and two girls, Lily-Mae and Errin.

Sean joined Pontefract from Knottingley Rugby Club in 2024 and was determined to enjoy one last season at a higher level before retirement. He won his shirt and made an immediate impact, stiffening the scrum, providing precious go-forward and defending with experience and aggression.

Of course, having had such a rewarding first year, at 38 years of age Sean decided to go round one more time for the 2025/6 season, only to suffer a health set-back: in the pre-season doctors diagnosed a heart issue requiring non-surgical treatment. Nonetheless, Sean got over it with stoicism and courage and recommenced training. Head coach Craig Fawcett now uses Sean’s bulk and experience in a different manner, namely on the bench as an impact replacement and ‘finisher’. (Having said that, he played a full 50 minutes against second-placed Pocklington last week!)

An engineer with Network Rail, Sean is a salt-of-the-earth family man: hard-working, friendly, polite and good company. He has fitted into the Pontefract family like a glove. We’re proud to have the benefit of Sean’s strength and ability during the twilight of his playing career and call him one of our own.