Former Super League, NRL ace confirms retirement as next steps revealed

Six-time Scotland international Joe Wardle has announced his retirement with immediate effect, signing a two-year contract with newly promoted Championship side Oldham as assistant coach.

Wardle, who made more than 250 senior career appearances, spent 2024 with the Roughyeds and featured 14 times in all competitions as Sean Long’s side won the League 1 title.

Scoring a try in his final career appearance against Workington Town at the start of September, he will now hang up his boots and make a permanent move into Long’s coaching team.

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Former Super League ace announces retirement with first coaching role revealed

Halifax-born Wardle, older brother of Wigan Warriors star Jake, has donned shirts for seven different clubs throughout his career. That tally includes NRL team Newcastle Knights, for whom he played 17 games in 2017, scoring four tries in the process.

Making 172 appearances for Huddersfield Giants in three separate spells, he also played for Bradford Bulls, Barrow Raiders (loan), Castleford Tigers and Leigh, spending two seasons with Leopards before joining Oldham.

When the Roughyeds announced his retirement, he said: “You don’t really think it’s going to happen to you, but then it comes up and creeps up on you.

“I’m a bit emotional about it, as every rugby player would be, but looking back I had a good run of form.

“I had some problems last year and I talked to Longy, my partner and Mike Ford. It made sense to call it a day and I definitely made the right decision.

“When that happens, you just know it’s time. Especially the way I play, I’ve played quite hard throughout my career, so it’s probably taken a toll on my body.

“When I signed for Oldham, I wanted to play a few more years and help the club grow, but now my body is telling me that enough is enough and that I need to follow a different path.

“Last year was the icing on the cake, retiring with a title is a fitting way to leave and for Oldham to achieve what we set out to achieve and get back to where the club belongs.

“The club’s ambition is great and being part of it is special. There’s a lot going on behind the scenes that fans don’t know about and some great guys at the club.

“I think as long as we can keep building and pushing as a club, Oldham are destined to get back into the Super League.”

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