From Bullmania to Goole Vikings: Brett Ferres still chasing buzz as 40 approaches

Brett Ferres' love for rugby league runs far deeper than that.

Six years on from his last appearance at the top level, the former England forward is still chasing the same buzz that first hooked him more than two decades ago.

Ferres marked the start of his 22nd season with a try for Goole Vikings, his third lower-league club since bowing out of Super League with Leeds Rhinos.

A January afternoon at Cougar Park is a world away from the razzmatazz of Bullmania but his fire has not dimmed.

"The hunger is still as strong as ever," said Ferres, who was a squad member when Bradford Bulls won the 2005 Super League title in his debut season.

"Like I say every year, I wouldn't do it if it wasn't there. I still enjoy playing and still feel I can offer something. Obviously Scott (Taylor, Goole head coach) does as well.

"I'm pretty proud of what my body has been able to do and what I've been able to do mentally. I don't think there are many players who play 80 minutes consistently in the forwards every year. You've got to want to keep going out there and getting bashed up every week.

"People will say I've stepped down but I'd challenge any player to play League One or Championship and see how it is."

Since leaving Super League – a journey that has taken him from Featherstone Rovers to Goole via Doncaster – Ferres has gained a fresh appreciation of what it takes to balance playing commitments with a day job.

The 39-year-old has coaching ambitions but, for now, is still finding his way in the working world.

If and when he makes the transition, there will be few coaches with the same depth of playing experience.

"I've jumped off the railways and am groundworking now," said Ferres, whose career achievements include winning the World Club Challenge, a Super League Grand Final, and promotion with Doncaster.

"It's a little bit easier schedule-wise – I work through the day now and not nights.

"Coaching is something I'm really interested in doing at some stage. I'd like to make a really good fist of it.

"I've experienced quite a lot during my playing career. I've always thought it was important to play at different levels and play part-time to get an understanding of what those lads go through when they're juggling working and playing.

"But where Goole are at right now, Scott is cutting his teeth in coaching and runs the show alongside some good assistants. If he needs me for anything, I'm there to help, but it's certainly Scott's gig at the moment."

To underline his commitment to the cause, the veteran missed just three games in Goole's inaugural season.

The Vikings, who were playing in the fifth tier of the Yorkshire Men's League as recently as 2024, have been fast-tracked to the Championship after punching above their weight in League One.

The merger of the divisions offers the newcomers a chance to build on an encouraging start to life as a professional club.

"We've made some really big strides," said the Goole captain.

"They've built a squad and a club from pretty much nowhere. We got players in and weren't sure if they were right for Goole but Scott has had some time now to put together a strong 30-man squad.

"We're certainly building as a club on the field. We cemented ourselves in League One last year and now have the chance to look at the Championship.

"The ground is taking shape and will hopefully be done this season."

The step up to the new 20-team Championship presents a significant challenge, highlighted by last week's defeat to Keighley Cougars.

As if their task wasn't tough enough, Goole have this week been handed two extra games against Widnes Vikings in the absence of Featherstone Rovers.

The complex format, with its uneven fixture spread and 10-team play-off system, is just the latest Ferres has had to navigate in his long career.

"I can't keep up with them," he said with a smile.

"Time will tell. There's always a lot of change so it's difficult to say if it'll work at this stage.

"Hopefully it does. It's probably good for a club like Goole to test ourselves against some of the bigger boys.

"It's another first for us as a club so it's certainly exciting."

With every Goole milestone, Ferres continues to show he is far from ready to call it a day.

His 40th birthday may be looming but he is in no rush to hang up his boots.

"I'm just going to go year to year and see how I feel," he said.

"It depends on whether the club still want me around. I'm not going to go too far and be a frail old bloke running around.

"If there's someone who wants my spot and has earned it, I won't stand in their way."