It has been announced that former Castleford Tigers player and club leader Nathan Massey has confirmed his decision to retire from rugby league and end his career as a rugby player at the age of 35.
Massey played a whopping 302 games for Castleford Tigers, spending almost his entire career with the club before moving to rivals Featherstone Rovers for the 2024 season.
Although Rovers signed Massey to use the striker as one of their key players in the promotion battle, he only played seven times for the Flat Cappers, four of which were in the Championship.
Featherstone confirmed his retirement last night with a brief statement: “Nathan Massey has announced his retirement from Rugby League with immediate effect.
“The club would like to thank Mass for his services to the club and congratulate him on a brilliant career.”
He played his last game for the club on July 14th in a victory over the Halifax Panthers and now, almost four weeks later, his retirement has been confirmed.
Castleford Tigers legend Nathan Massey retires
Castleford Tigers also issued a statement confirming the retirement of their club legend, turning to X this morning to pay tribute to Massey following their loss to Hull KR.
“Last night Nathan Massey announced his immediate retirement from Rugby League. Everyone at Club Massey wishes you well in your retirement and thanks you for your service to the Tigers.”
🫡 Last night Nathan Massey announced his immediate retirement from Rugby League
From everyone at Club Mass, best wishes for your retirement and thank you for your service to the Tigers#COYF pic.twitter.com/cswa3nZEgA
— Castleford Tigers (@CTRLFC) 10 August 2024
Massey began his playing career in 2007 when he made his debut for Castleford Tigers and scored a resounding Challenge Cup victory as they hosted amateur side Lock Lane 88-10.
His next game for Ford, and his first Super League appearance, came over a year later in a 34-31 loss to Warrington Wolves, before spending most of the rest of the year on loan.
His breakthrough came in the 2012 season, where he played 27 games, missing only one the whole season. From then on, he became a regular for the club, appearing in 15 or more games each season.
Massey made his 300th appearance as a Castleford Tigers player in a home win over Hull FC. He was expected to retire at the end of the season, but in 2024 he moved to Featherstone where he made a further seven appearances to cap off an incredible career.
Serious About Rugby League wishes Nathan all the best in his retirement.
Former @CTRLFCNathan Massey, who made over 300 appearances for the Tigers in #SuperLeaguehas announced his immediate resignation.
I wish you all the best for the future. @Massey196 👏❤️ pic.twitter.com/9iOXPcy8Th
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) 10 August 2024