Championship club pull off major coup ahead of 2024

Sheffield Eagles have pulled off a major coup in retaining the services of former Leeds Rhinos, Wakefield Trinity and Salford Red Devils star Ben Jones-Bishop.

The winger has been exceptional since signing for the club from York Knights ahead of the 2022 season.

44 tries in 58 appearances, including 21 in 2023, has helped the ‘Rolls Royce’ become a fans’ favourite. So much so, he scooped the Supporters Player of the Year Award alongside Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year at the recent end-of-season presentation night.

Director of Rugby Mark Aston commented: “It’s a re-signing we definitely wanted to get over the line as we all know the qualities Ben brings to the table,”

“He has been superb all across the board since coming to Sheffield. His commitment to training, doing the extras, shows exactly why he was at the top level for so long.

“He makes everyone else better with his presence and that is gold dust for any rugby league side.”

Bishop started his career with Leeds Rhinos making his debut for the club against Crusaders in the Challenge Cup at fullback alongside Kallum Watkins.

Bishop would then enjoy a successful loan spell at Harlequins RL in 2009 and 2010.

When Brian McDermott left the London based club to return to Leeds as Head Coach in 2011, he brought Bishop with him on his Super League debut for the Rhinos scored a hat trick against Bradford Bulls in Round One of the campaign at the Magic Weekend. His third try was a penalty try which won the game for the Rhinos.

That year he would play at Wembley and Old Trafford and claim the Super League title.

At the start of 2012, he wrestled the right wing spot from Lee Smith to score the decisive try agains Manly Sea Eagles in the World Club Challenge.

He would later score at Old Trafford to claim a second consecutive title.

The winger would sadly suffer a blood clot and miss much of 2013 and was left with a huge battle in 2014 when Tom Briscoe joined the club from Hull FC after the collapse of his move to Cronulla Sharks.

Bishop was excellent when he played but a lack of game time saw him leave for Salford and after a season he joined Wakefield Trinity where he would prove to be an excellent signing for the club.