DONCASTER chief executive Carl Hall hopes Sam Smeaton has a future at the club when he finally decides to call time on his playing career.
The 37-year-old second rower and former skipper is in his seventh season as a Don and his testimonial year after getting the green light from the RFL in May.
Smeaton started out as an outside back at Featherstone and also played for Sheffield, Halifax and Batley before Hall brought him to Doncaster in 2020 – after a number of failed attempts.
He has topped 300 career appearances of which more than 100 have been for his home-city club, and Hall said: “He’s been a great servant.
“I tried to get him for years before it finally worked out. When it did, the timing was right, because he went on to be our captain.”
Smeaton had the armband when coach Richard Horne’s side finally won the League One play-offs in 2023 after twice losing out in the final.
And Hall revealed: “When he signed for us, he told me he would help us get promoted and he fulfilled that.
“Sam has been all in from day one, and he’s a model professional both in training and on the pitch.
“He has been an outstanding leader because he is a good player, and he sets the bar high.”
Hall believes those qualities would make Smeaton an ideal backroom staff member.
“We have plans for our development system, and maybe a Reserve team, and when Sam does decide to hang up the boots, I think he’ll want to stay involved.
“I would be great if when the time comes, we can figure something out.
“Before that we’ll be doing everything we can to make his testimonial a success. He deserves that.”