London Broncos have announced that Jamie Thackray has signed a one-year contract extension to keep him at the club until the end of the 2016 season.
Thackray joined the club on trial in March, and subsequently signed a contract until the end of the season, and has since made 15 appearances, scoring four tries.
Thackray has played for Super League clubs including Hull FC and Leeds Rhinos, along with appearing for Great Britain on three occasions.
“I spoke with Hendo (head coach and player Andrew Henderson) and he was happy to offer me a new deal, I want to be here as long as possible,” he told the club’s official website.
“There’s good potential down here and there’s die-hard fans who stick with the club and they have been great.
“The players, the coaching staff and admin staff have been great and made me feel really welcome and I’m really enjoying myself.
“My main aim when I came here was to play well and help improve the squad. From where we were to where we are as a squad is completely different and that’s full credit to Hendo, for what he brings as a player and a coach.
“I’ve been around a while, I’ve had a couple of years out with a broken arm a few years back and that’s given me a few added years on my career. I played at a low level in Australia last year so that’s saved my body a bit; I’ve not had too much pressure on my body so that why I can carry on a bit longer. You see players like Jamie Peacock and Adrian Morley being 37 and 38 years old and I think I’ve still got a couple more years in me.
“It took a few games for people to see how I play; obviously I’ve not been playing much rugby league in this country over the last couple of years. I’ve had stints in France and Australia so people maybe forget what I’m like. Now players are on board with what I do I’m starting to put a few offloads in and set up a few tries and even get over the line myself.”
Head coach and player Andrew Henderson expressed his delight at getting Thackray on board for 2016, saying: “I think Jamie has been a fantastic addition to our squad, not only because he’s been producing some great performances but it’s what he brings off the field too. He’s a great character to have around the place, he’s a great person and keeps people smiling.
“He brings vast experience to help with our younger players that we’re developing through our system. I think a few people must have questioned the move but the reality is he’s proved to be a very shrewd signing for us.
“It was important that we got Thackray on board when we did, it was a time when we were looking for some experienced players and he became available. I’m just pleased he took the opportunity and at the end of the day he’s earned another year because of the way he’s performed on the field and what he’s done off it too. He deserves to be here and the most important thing is he wants to be here, he can see what we’re trying to build as a club and what I’m trying to build as a team and he wants to be part of it.”
