York Knights wrapped up their first-ever Super League season in style on Thursday night and the club have now confirmed which players will be leaving at the end of the year.
The Knights have bid farewell to six players, something that would suggest that they have plenty of new contracts to announce, as they currently have a handful of players who are off-contract but not confirmed as leaving.
Those include the master Paul McShane, who has previously confirmed that a new deal is on the table if he wants it, and fellow veteran Ben Jones-Bishop who played his 400th career game on Thursday night.
One man who has definitely retired and headlines the list of departing players is Paul Vaughan with the former State of Origin man bowing out on Thursday with a career-first drop goal, as he brought his impressive Super League stint to an end.
The club have confirmed that he will now return to Australia to his family after calling time on his 14-year career.
Dissecting Leeds Rhinos v Wigan Warriors, St Helens miss the six and Wakefield make statement – Click here to watch the latest episode of the Serious About Rugby League Show
York Knights announce six departures
As well as Vaughan, the club have farewelled Josh Griffin, who had previously announced his retirement earlier in the season after suffering a season-ending injury.
Most Read on Serious About Rugby League
Griffin brought a close to an 18-year career that has seen him represent Wakefield, Huddersfield, Castleford, Batley, Salford and Hull FC, but his career was brought to an end as a result of a torn pec in April.
Denive Balmforth returns to his parent club Hull FC after a very strong showing in a York Knights shirt, making a total of 30 appearances and developing his game under the likes of Paul McShane.
Danny Richardson is another who leaves the club offiically, having left on loan to join Widnes Vikings in the summer. He ends his Knights career with three appearances.
York also announced the exit of Will Dagger, one of those who helped the Knights earn promotion to Super League, with the former Hull KR man leaving after making a total of 33 appearances over two spells.
The longest-serving player to depart is the club’s 2024 Player of the Year, Ata Hingano, with the overseas star leaving after five years and 96 appearances. He’ll be forever remembered for the drop goal that he kicked to help the Knights defeat Hull KR in their first-ever Super League game.
With our inaugural Betfred Super League season at a close, York Knights can now confirm the departing players.
We thank all of our departing players for their hard work and dedication during their time with the club, and we wish them every success in their future careers.
— York RLFC Knights (@YorkRLFC) September 13, 2026
