Halifax Panthers have announced the re-signing of local forward Jacob Fairbank till the end of the 2024 season. The Fax-born powerhouse has signed a new two year contract extension with the club.
The 32 year old has become a mainstay in the side since his permanent signing in 2016 having twice spent time on loan in 2011 and 2015 whilst at Huddersfield Giants. A popular player with players and fans alike, ‘Bobby’ has played nearly 200 times for his hometown team operating in numerous positions but still having a big effect which he will look to continue into next year and beyond.
The former Huddersfield Giants forward will now likely finish his career at the Shay now having had spells on loan at Batley Bulldogs, Bradford Bulls, London Broncos, Wakefield Trinity and Oldham.
“We’re delighted to have tied Bob down to a new contract”, said Panthers head coach Simon Grix on the club’s website. “Obviously, being a local lad everybody knows Bob, don’t they? Off the pitch, I think he’s a really good influence on our group and as he gets older, the better he gets as well in terms of shaping the team and speaking at the right times, saying the right thing. Performance wise, last year I thought he had a slow start before the ban hindered him but I thought he finished the season really strong for us, did a really good job and showed his qualities.”
“We have a few middles that are quite similar with their attributes, which you need, but you also need some points of difference as well. I think Bob’s got a decent short passing game, connects with a few different people well, and he picked his time to pass and run a little bit better this year I feel. I think there’s still some development in that, he can get better as well in those areas.”
And the other side of the game, defensively he’s always committed and puts his head in where it hurts which we saw on a few occasions this year. He’s always getting stuck in and really proud to wear that Halifax jersey which is a big thing for me and us as a group. A good leader, a good influence on those beneath him, those young lads around
him and moving up that are I suppose biting at his heels as he heads towards the twilight years of his career. But I’m certainly happy to tie him down for the next couple of years.”
