Jake Webster targets promotion before retirement
2022 could be Jake Webster's last if club succeed in promotion
2022 could be the last season for veteran centre Jake Webster if he can help his side Keighley win promotion from League 1.
The 38-year-old signed a new contract with the Cougars for the 2022 campaign. He called the decision a “no-brainer” having initially joined the club ahead of 2020.
Webster has been awarded a 12-month testimonial in 2022 by the Rugby Football League to reward his service to the sport.
He began his career in Australia with Melbourne Storm before making the switch to England with Hull KR. Adding Gold Coast Titans, Castleford and Bradford to his list of teams, the veteran centre is hoping he can help Keighley to promotion this season.
He also qualifies for Greece, who feature in this year’s Rugby League World Cup, but Webster admitted his only vision this year is promotion with Keighley.
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Jake Webster on Greece and the 2022 campaign
“No, I don’t think so! I’ve done my dash and that sort of stuff,” Webster said on a potential Greece call-up this year.
“I’m fixated on making sure that we as a club get to where we want to be.
“I signed at Keighley three years ago with the vision that I wanted to be a part of something that gets them out of League 1. That’s all I’m focused on at the moment.
“So that was a big decision for me to stay on at the club, because we haven’t succeeded in what we wanted when I first signed. So this year, hopefully, if it all goes the way that we want, I can hang the boots up.”
Webster on Keighley’s fight for promotion
Keighley head into the new League 1 season joint-favourites to win the competition with Swinton.
Webster will wear the shirt number three in 2022. Scott Murrell has received shirt number 13, and Brenden Santi number eight. Former Warrington assistant coach Andrew Henderson has also joined the club as head of rugby.
“Realistically, we want to be in Championship,” said Webster.
“I don’t think we’ve made the best footing in the last few years, especially with Covid. That put a hindrance on not just us but a lot of teams.
“Rhys Lovegrove, we know the direction and the structures that he’s put in place. Now we’ve all just got to believe in it and make sure we get to where we want to be, which is Championship.”
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