Dale Laughton

Dale Laughton was a pioneer - the first ever player from South Yorkshire to be in the Sheffield Eagles first team squad. He started playing at Dodworth ARLFC in Barnsley before signing for the Eagles. Over the next decade Dale became part of the backbone of the forward pack. During his first season with the Eagles he helped them achieve promotion from the Second Division and victory in the Premiership Final. He played in the first ever game of Super League in 1996, when the Eagles took on Paris St. Germain in Paris. Perhaps the crowning achievement though is as part of the victorious 1998 Challenge Cup Final team, beating Wigan in what is considered the greatest upset in Rugby League history. Dale went on to play for Huddersfield and Warrington before briefly returning to the Eagles. During his career he also played at international level for Great Britain and Scotland and was selected as part of the Super League Dream Team in 1998.