Former Hull KR and Salford Red Devils centre, Kris Welham, has announced he will retire at the end of the season, in what will also be his 450th career appearance.
Starting his career at the Robins, Welham made his debut in 2006 alongside his brother Liam. They both featured on the wing that day, with Kris scoring a try in defeat to Leigh Leopards.
Becoming a Rovers regular from the 2008 season onwards, Welham scored tries for fun, achieving double figure try tallies in four consecutive years from 2009-2012.
Welham came close to silverware with his hometown club in 2015, as KR reached the Challenge Cup Final for the first time since 1986. It wasn’t to be that day, however, as Leeds took a record 50-0 victory to win the first of their three trophies that season.
Moving to Bradford Bulls in 2016, Welham took the step down to the Championship and scored an impressive 29 tries in 30 matches.
2017 saw him move to Salford, where he would stay for four years. He suffered Grand Final defeat in 2019 and a second Wembley loss in 2020, again against Leeds.
He moved to Featherstone Rovers in 2021, again for a sole season, and was part of the squad that lost to Toulouse in the Million Pound game, which saw the French side earn promotion.
He has been at Sheffield for the previous four years, and has made over 100 appearances for the South Yorkshire outfit, scoring 50 tries.
Speaking in an emotional farewell video, Welham said: “It’s been unbelievable, I’m very proud of what I achieved in the game. I’ve made four Wembley finals, a Grand Final at Old Trafford with five great clubs, I’m proud to represent each and every one of them.
“I’ve loved my journey, it’s been a long 19-year career, but I’m very proud, my family are proud, I’m proud so thank you to everyone.”
Former Hull KR man preparing for 450th and final career match after two-decade long career.
This year has been a difficult year at the Eagles, with long-serving coach Mark Aston departing and them sitting 11th in the table. However, regardless of the club’s struggles, he has admitted he has thoroughly enjoyed the final year of his career, and is honoured to represent such a historic club.
He said: “This year at Sheffield it’s been a challenging year, there’s been a bit of transition at the club with the new coach coming in, new staff, new players. As much as it’s been challenging I really have enjoyed my time there and it’s an honour to represent the club.
“To make my 450th career appearance this week for Sheffield Eagles is something I’m really proud of, and I’ll have all my family there to support us and cheer me on for that game.
“I’m really looking forward to it, it’s the last game of the season and hopefully we get a lot of people down there to support us and as I said, very proud to make it at this club.”
This Sunday, Kris Welham will step onto the field for the very last time, hanging up his boots after an incredible career. Fittingly, he’ll mark the occasion with his 450th career appearance as we take on Barrow Raiders at the Steel City Stadium.
To honour Kris, we visited Hull… pic.twitter.com/B4M4yeFY1d
— Sheffield Eagles (@SheffieldEagles) September 11, 2025
