Halifax Panthers' Brearley announces retirement from rugby league

Brearley joined Fax from Batley Bulldogs in 2019 and made five appearances for the club in 2020. In the short season he impressed scouts enough to earn a Super League contract with Toronto Wolfpack for 2021 but their rejected application resulted in his return to The Shay Stadium for 2021.

The back-rower made three appearances for the Panthers at the start of the current season but he has elected to concentrate on running his own business.

He said: "It was a very tough decision, but my business had grown through the lockdown and time away from rugby last year. It had got to the point where I couldn’t commit to the level I needed to be at to give my best for Halifax. I wish everyone all the best for the rest of the season and the future.”

Head coach Simon Grix said: "It's not great news at all for us. Paul is a great bloke and a very good player.

“Unfortunately we haven't seen the best of him but wish him all the best. Work commitments have increased significantly and with that the attention he can't commit to the level the team deserves.

“He has acted admirably. He could have stayed and picked up his money knowing he wasn't all in. Instead he has made a tough call for the right reasons.

“We wish him all the best for the future and hope he gets his boots back out when he has got on top of his work commitments.”