Huddersfield Giants prop forward Earl Crabtree has signed a new two-year extension to remain at the club until the end of the 2017 season.
The 32-year-old club legend was in the side that won promotion to the top flight in 2002, and has subsequently established himself as a first choice pick which eventually led to 18 caps for England.
“To retain Eorl in the claret and gold is something that everyone at Huddersfield should be proud of” said Giants Managing Director Richard Thewlis.
“Eorl has always been a role model professional for us and he continues to lead our pack in the right direction as he has for more years than I reckon he expected when he first broke into the team as a centre! His contribution to the club and locality is immense and I think at the end of this longer contract he will be able to stand shoulder to shoulder as one of this town’s greatest ever sportsmen.
“He knows he has unfinished business here so to speak and the Challenge Cup and Super League are still on his agenda. He has achieved many things so far on the rugby field and I look forward to watching him and his teammates strive for the ultimate goal of silverware. “
Giants head coach Paul Anderson was also fulsome in his praise of the prop: “Eorl does the hard yards down the middle week in week out for this club and is a highly respected player by everyone in the game. I played until I was 35 and there is no reason Eorl can’t do the same given the way rehabilitation and medical works at this club.“
Crabtree said: “As a child growing up it was always my dream to play for Huddersfield, 15 years in and almost 400 games later I’m excited to say that dream will be kept alive for a further 2 years. I’m proud of what I’ve achieved so far and the progression the club has made since I started playing but I still feel my job isn’t done here yet. Who knows what the future holds but for the next 2 years at least it is claret and gold.”
