York Knights captain Chris Clarkson to retire at end of 2023 season

The 33-year-old first joined the Knights from Betfred Super League side Castleford Tigers ahead of the 2020 season after spells at Leeds Rhinos, Widnes Vikings and Hull KR.

He was promoted to the captaincy under James Ford the following year, and classes leading York out at Wembley for the first time in 90 years in the 2021 AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final as one of his career highlights.

Clarkson’s time in the city also saw him play a key role as the Knights secured a sixth-placed Championship finish last term before filling in at half-back as his side earned a historic 26-24 triumph at Halifax Panthers, their first play-off victory.

“An obvious massive highlight at York was leading the club and the team out at Wembley,” Clarkson reflected.

“We didn’t get the win that day, but just the experience for the club and the lads at the time, it was massive. We had a really good weekend there, and we made the most of it and enjoyed it.

“We started off not where we wanted to be, but we worked on things and towards the back end of the year, things came to a fruition.

“We made the play-offs and won the first game over Halifax, which was a massive, massive bonus for us there.

“And this year, after winning eight of the last nine league games, it looks like we could do it again. Fingers crossed, as that would be nice.”

Clarkson counts leading the Knights out at Wembley as one of his career highlights. (Image: Craig Hawkhead)

A play-off finish that has seemed unlikely for most of the season would undoubtedly be a fine way for Clarkson to sign off after nearly a decade and a half in the sport, and he hopes that ambition will come to fruition with just two matches of the regular season remaining.

“I’d be so proud [to lead York into the play-offs],” he admitted. “The unfortunate thing is that we could win the two games and not make the play-offs, which would be very upsetting.

“That’s because of how hard we’ve worked this year, we’ve had pretty much our backs against the wall.

“We’ve had a rough time with injuries – we’ve probably had 17 men fit most weeks and those 17 obviously would have to play – but the amount of time that we’ve put into training and fixing the wrongs, Hendo puts so much time into guiding us onto the right path, and things have come nicely for us now.

“Within the last eight league games, it’s been really nice to get those wins and it’s been enjoyable to see that come to fruition again.

“I’ll be so proud if we make the play-offs and to win a few games in the play-offs, that would be brilliant.”

Before moving to York, Clarkson enjoyed an illustrious career with some of the Super League’s heavyweights.

He debuted for hometown club Leeds Rhinos in 2010, going on to make more than 115 appearances for the West Yorkshire outfit across six seasons.

There, he was a part of the team that claimed Grand Final glory in both 2011 and 2012, the 2012 World Club Challenge, and finally tasted glory from the sidelines in the 2014 Betfred Challenge Cup after having been on the losing side in both the 2010 and 2011 Finals.

Clarkson spent six seasons at hometown club Leeds Rhinos from 2010. (Image: Gareth Copley/PA archive)

Clarkson counts Leeds quintet Kevin Sinfield, Rob Burrow, Jamie Peacock, Danny McGuire and Jamie Jones-Buchanan as some of his standout teammates, feeling fortunate to have played alongside some of the sport’s legends.

Following a season on loan at Widnes, he moved to Hull KR in 2016, where his three-year tenure included gaining promotion from the Betfred Championship in 2017.

After making 80 appearances for the Robins, the former England Knights international moved to Castleford, reaching the Super League Play-off Semi Finals in 2019 prior to signing for York.

Of his 326 professional appearances, 165 of those have come in the sport’s top-flight, but Clarkson feels that now is the right time to hang up his boots for good and focus his efforts upon his building business.

He explained: “I’ve been thinking about it for a good few years now – I’ve probably been preparing for this moment for the past four years whilst I’ve been at York.

“I think that last year I was still playing some really good rugby so I was very keen to do another year, but this year I've started making a few mistakes that I wouldn't normally make so I'm thinking that it's time now.

“My body’s not recovering as well as it normally would.”

When asked if there was anything that he would have done differently in his career, he was quick to reply that he had zero regrets of how it had panned out.

“I’ve left everything out there,” he said. “Everything I’ve done is for rugby league and to improve my team.

“I’ve pretty much put everything into it, which I’m proud about.”

As for what is next for Clarkson, he joked: “I love a good sit down!

“I’m going to sit down a lot more than I do now. I always think to myself, I can’t wait to get home and have a good sit down!

“But I think that being more of a dad, seeing my kids more and probably going on family holidays. I might take up a little bit more golf and just general day-to-day things.

“I’m walking away from the sport. I’m not bothered for coaching or anything like that as much as I do building a career outside of rugby.

“Hopefully, I can put as much effort into that as I have done rugby league.”

Clarkson looks set to make his final home appearance as the Knights host fellow play-off hopefuls Batley Bulldogs on Monday evening (7:45pm).