Halifax Panthers recruitment update as Kyle Eastmond given ‘opportunity’

Halifax Panthers chief executive Damian Clayton insists Kyle Eastmond will have opportunities to add to his squad ahead of the 2025 Championship season. Eastmond has penned a three-year contract to become the West Yorkshire club’s new head coach following Liam Finn’s departure.

The job is Eastmond’s first as a head coach, but has coached in the backroom team at Warrington Wolves, while he has also picked up experience with rugby union outfits Rotherham and Jersey Reds. However, he’ll be keen to make his mark early at The Shay and build some traction as the Panthers look to build on last season’s finish of ninth.

Recruitment will be key, then, particularly with the Panthers releasing eight players at the end of the 2024, including some of the most high profile players in Gareth Widdop, Joe Keyes and Matt Gee.

With the club going through some financial difficulties of late, the Panthers will be working with a tight budget, but Eastmond can still expect signings to be made.

“There is opportunity,” Clayton told the Halifax Courier. “We are looking at bringing some other players in with some gone.

“We are mindful that we need to cut our cloth accordingly. We have been open and transparent with Kyle with regards to our fiscal capabilities moving forward because we need to be sustainable as a club.

“Yes there is an opportunity but we are mindful that our player budget is what it is going to be.”

On the appointment of Eastmond, the Halifax Panthers CEO added: “I think it was quite easy when we sat down and spoke to him about his philosophy and the style of rugby he wants to play.

“It is quite exciting. He was an exciting player and I think he’ll bring a little bit of a difference to our style of play which our supporters can welcome as well. We need to get the crowd on their feet.”