Former St Helens and Dewsbury Rams player Dominic Speakman announces retirement at just 28

Dominic Speakman has announced his retirement at just 28 years of age.

The England Under 16s and Under 18s international is a product of St Helens’ superb academy system and made his Super League debut against Salford in 2013 on his 19th birthday. Alongside his time at Saints, he spent a spell on dual registration at Rochdale prior to a move to Barrow Raiders.

He would have a brief stint with North Wales Crusaders in 2014 before joining Dewsbury where he made 74 appearances scoring 17 tries. Then came a spell at Widnes for a season in 2019 before he spent the final years of his career back at the Rams where his career has now ended following Dewsbury’s relegation to the Betfred League 1.

Capable of playing anywhere in the spine, he was a skilled player but has chosen to end his career fairly early at the age of 28.

On his decision, Dewsbury coach Liam Finn said: “Congratulations to Dom on his career, it’s a disappointing way for him to finish having a concussion but he can certainly look back with pride at his time in the game.”

There has been a relation between players retiring and concussion recently with Stevie Ward – of a similar age to Speakman – being forced to retire in 2020 due to the lasting effects of concussion on him after just one game as Leeds skipper and he is not the only one.

Everyone at Dewsbury and I’m sure his other clubs and us at Serious About Rugby League wish him well with what he takes on next.