My Set of Six: with Wayne Godwin featuring Terry Newton & representing town of Castleford

In our new feature, we’re asking you, the fans, plus players, coaches and other rugby league personalities to give us their answers to our set of six questions.

Former England, Castleford, Wigan, Hull FC, Bradford, Salford and Dewsbury hooker Wayne Godwin is our latest guest on My Set of Six…

Favourite ground?

I started my journey at Castleford and I love the old school grounds so it has to be the Mend-A-Hose Jungle for the atmosphere and how close the fans are to the pitch.

Favourite player?

Terry Newton. He was a true warrior, his aggression and skills were unreal and he was a good leader too. I loved playing against him and with him at Wigan and Bradford. I miss Tez everyday, he was a close friend – god bless him.

I always watch how hookers play because that was my position. I enjoy watching the likes of James Roby, Paul McShane and Daryl Clark now. I used to love playing against Keiron Cunningham as well, he was hard.

Favourite memory?

Making my debut for my hometown club Castleford in 2001 at 19 against Bradford at Valley Parade. We lost 44-4 and my squad number was 26 – I remember everything!

A close second favourite would be kicking 15 from 17 goals and a try for England against Russia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow in the 2004 European Nations Cup.

Worst memory?

Getting relegated from Super League with Castleford in 2004. I still think about that game all the time.

It was a weird season because I played the best rugby of my career but it wasn’t enough to keep Cas up. I always think ‘what if’ because I had signed a three-year deal with Cas at the time.

Best match you’ve seen?

Two games stick in my head. The 2016 Million Pound Game between Hull KR and Salford, when Gaz O’Brien kicked the winning drop goal. I’m sure unsure how Salford did it!

The second game would be the ‘Wide to West’ game between St Helens and Bradford at Knowsley Road in 2000. What a place it was as well.

Your wish for the future of rugby league?

For me, rugby league is the best sport in the world and I just want the game to get the credit it deserves. I want us to build our grassroots rugby clubs up and produce more of our own talent.

Everything starts at grassroots and I see this first hand when I coach at these clubs. We need to inspire kids to get playing our sport and then keep them involved.

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