Halifax Panthers have confirmed their leadership team ahead of 2026, as they club look to push on from their fifth placed Championship finish.
Kyle Eastmond’s side bowed out of the competition at the semi-final stage, after defeating Oldham in the first round of the play-offs.
After being top of the table at the start of May, a run of seven games without a win saw them drop to as low as eighth, in what was a calamitous fall from the start of the season.
The side managed to pick themselves back up, and won nine of their final 12 matches, which was enough to see them reach the finals.
In 2026, the side will once again be pushing for the top of the table, though the likes of London Broncos and Oldham are deemed to be the early favourites.
With signings announcements such as Tanguy Zenon, Dan Okoro and Jesse Soric, the latter coming from the NRL, the club also confirmed who their captains and vice-captains will be for the coming year, with the top role going to a man with bundles of top flight experience.
Continuing his role for another year, Ben Crooks will captain the side. The former Super League Young Player of the Year has been with the Panthers since 2023, and has made 43 appearances for the club.
Alongside him as vice-captains are Adam O’Brien, another man with plenty of Super League experience on his CV, and Tom Inman.
O’Brien, 32, has over 150 SL appearances to his name, with the majority of his career being spent at Huddersfield Giants.
Inman, meanwhile, made his senior debut in 2022 with York, and moved to Halifax the following year. The 23-year-old has made 62 Panthers appearances so far.
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CAPTAIN CROOKS 🫡 We’re proud to confirm that Ben Crooks will skipper the side again for our 2026 campaign, leading the Panthers from the front 🔵⚪️🐾
Congratulations to Adam O’Brien and Tom Inman who continue in their roles as vice captains of their hometown club 👏#FAX26… pic.twitter.com/u00rzhuQri
— Halifax Panthers 🐾 (@HalifaxPanthers) January 6, 2026
