Halifax Panthers winger signs new deal with Championship club
Photo: Ed Sykes/SWpix
Halifax Panthers have announced that winger James Saltonstall has signed a new one-year deal with the club, keeping him at The Shay until at least the end of 2024.
The new deal will see the 29-year-old into his 10th season with the club, having joined his hometown team from Warrington in 2014.
So far in 2023, Saltonstall has scored five tries in seven appearances. He has also represented Italy on the international stage, winning three caps to date.
“It’s a great feeling to have another year secured already,” said Saltonstall.
“Obviously, it’s only the beginning of the season so to get that boxed off and done is a good feeling.
“Hopefully I can keep up my form. I feel I’ve started the year pretty well and hopefully I can keep that up for the rest of the season and beyond.
“It means a lot to me to play for this club. I think I always give my all every game and put that into my performances and as long as I’m here, I’ll continue to do the same.
“Since I came to Halifax, I never bothered getting an agent or looking elsewhere or anything like that. Even when I was younger, I always wanted to play for Fax and ever since I’ve been here, I’ve never looked to leave.
“When you play for your hometown club, when you mean it means a little bit more and when you lose it hurts more but I wouldn’t change it and wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
Halifax Panthers boss on re-signing
Halifax head coach Simon Grix added: “It’s great news and an easy bit of business I suppose.
“Salty is happy here and I don’t think he’d play for anyone else if truth be told. It’s his hometown club and he’s been very consistent for a long time really.
“He’s grown up a lot in recent years which I think has had a positive impact on his performances, and he’s been a shining light for us this year.
“He has got a good rugby brain, he’s very dependable and somebody you want in the trenches with you.
“He’s a good example for hard work and putting himself where not many people would. It’s not normal to run into brick walls but he keeps doing it, he keeps tipping up.
“He’s very proud to represent our club and his town and he’s a very popular member of our squad. As I say, with age he’s got a lot better and easier to handle off the pitch and that really has transferred into his game.
“There’s plenty left in his tank as well and hopefully he’s got quite a few more years at Halifax yet.”