View source for Michael Shenton

{{short description|England international rugby league footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2013}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name           = Michael Shenton
|fullname       = Michael Shenton
|image          = Castleford Tigers 2019.jpg
|image_size     = 180
|caption        = 
|birth_date     = {{Birth date and age|1986|7|22|df=yes}}
|birth_place    = [[Pontefract]], West Yorkshire, England
|height         = {{convert|1.90|m|ftin|abbr=on|order=flip}}
|weight         = {{convert|93|kg|stlb|abbr=on|order=flip}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.castigers.com/player/327|title=Castleford Tigers 1st Team Michael Shenton|date=2015|website=Official Castleford Tigers web site|publisher=Castleford Tigers Rugby League Football Club Ltd|access-date=22 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150622160414/http://www.castigers.com/player/327|archive-date=22 June 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|position       = {{rlp|CE}}
|club1          = [[Castleford Tigers]]
|year1start     = 2004
|year1end       = 10 
|appearances1   = 153
|tries1         = 93
|goals1         = 0
|fieldgoals1    = 0
|points1        = 372
|club2          = [[St Helens R.F.C.|St Helens]]
|year2start     = 2011
|year2end       = 12 
|appearances2   = 58
|tries2         = 20
|goals2         = 0
|fieldgoals2    = 0
|points2        = 80
|club3          = [[Castleford Tigers]]
|year3start     = 2013
|year3end       = 21
|appearances3   = 194
|tries3         = 68
|goals3         = 0
|fieldgoals3    = 0
|points3        = 272
|teamA          = [[England national rugby league team|England]]
|yearAstart     = 2008
|yearAend       = 14
|appearancesA   = 12
|triesA         = 3
|goalsA         = 0 
|fieldgoalsA    = 0 
|pointsA        = 12
|new            = yes
|retired        = yes
|source         = <ref name="RLRKC">[https://stats.rugbyleaguerecords.com/playersummary.php?tselect=3575 RL Record Keepers' Club]</ref><ref name="RLP">[http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/Michael-Shenton/summary.html Rugby League Project]</ref>
|updated        = 16 September 2021
}}

'''Michael Shenton''' (born 22 July 1986) is an English [[rugby league]] coach and former professional rugby league footballer who is currently the assistant coach for [[Wakefield Trinity]] in the [[RFL Championship]].

An [[England national rugby league team|England]] international representative {{rlp|ce}}, he made his [[Castleford Tigers]] debut in 2004 and played over 150 times for the club before transferring to [[St Helens R.F.C.|St Helens]] in 2010. In June 2012, Shenton signed a deal to re-join Castleford from the 2013 season, and it was later announced that he would be [[captain (sport)|club captain]].

Having played more than 300 games for the Tigers in all competitions, Shenton holds the club record for most Super League appearances after overtaking [[Danny Orr]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-06-08|title=Congratulations Shenny!|url=https://www.castlefordtigers.com/article.php?id=5973|access-date=2021-04-02|website=Castleford Tigers}}</ref> In 2017, he became the first Castleford captain to lead the club to a top-flight league title. He featured in the [[Super League Dream Team]] on three occasions.

==Biography==
Shenton was born in [[Pontefract]], [[West Yorkshire, England]].

Shenton is a product of the [[Castleford Tigers]] academy set up, beginning his professional career in 2004. Shenton was a member of the England Elite Training Squad as well, alongside his former [[Castleford Tigers]] teammate [[Joe Westerman]]. The 2010 Engage Super League season was Shenton's last season with his home town club before signing a three-year deal with [[St Helens R.F.C.|St. Helens]] on 3 August 2010.<ref name="saints1">{{cite web|date=3 August 2010|title=St Helens sign Michael Shenton from Castleford Tigers|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/super_league/st_helens/8881604.stm|publisher=BBC}}</ref> He returned to the Tigers in 2013.

== Club career ==
===Castleford Tigers===
Shenton made his Castleford Tigers début on 1 May 2004 in a 28 v 42 defeat by [[Wigan Warriors]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/super_league/3670551.stm|title=Castleford 28-42 Wigan|date=2004-05-01|access-date=2019-06-25|language=en-GB}}</ref> That year he was also a member of the winning U18s Academy Grand Final Side that played against St. Helens.

In 2005, Shenton was establishing himself as a first team regular in the squad as a winger. As the season went on, Shenton moved into the centre of the side at the time. Tigers Head Coach [[Dave Woods (rugby league coach)|David Woods]] said he was like [[National Rugby League|NRL]] and [[Penrith Panthers]] Star [[Luke Lewis]]. Also in that year, Shenton played in the [[2005 National League Cup|Northern Rail Cup]] Final against [[Hull Kingston Rovers]]. Shenton also played in the National League Grand Final against [[Whitehaven R.L.F.C.|Whitehaven Rugby League]], which Castleford won 36–8.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/national_league/4316420.stm|title=Castleford return to Super League|date=2005-10-09|access-date=2019-06-25|language=en-GB}}</ref>

2006 was another bad year for the Tigers, but it was a good year personally for Shenton who gave a good account of himself and showed that he was of Super League quality. Shenton had many rugby league pundits talking about him after his performance in Castleford Tigers 80th anniversary game on 16 July, in which they defeated Leeds Rhinos 31–30.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyleague/2340759/Castleford-hand-out-a-lesson-in-Jungle-survival.html|title=Castleford hand out a lesson in Jungle survival|last=Fitzpatrick|first=Paul|journal=The Daily Telegraph|date=2006-07-16|access-date=2019-06-25|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> At the end of the season, Castleford were relegated and there were a lot of Super League clubs, including [[Wakefield Trinity|Wakefield Trinity Wildcats]] and [[Hull F.C.|Hull FC]], chasing Shenton.

2007 saw Shenton stay loyal with his home-town club. It was a great season for both the Tigers and Shenton. Shenton was named in the [[RFL Championship|National League One]] Dream Team, and was a member of the squad that won the [[RFL Championship|National League One]] Champions trophy (finishing 1st in the league). He was a member of The [[RFL Championship|National League One]] Grand Final team that won Cas promotion back to Super League. There were still a lot of super league clubs, including [[Bradford Bulls]], chasing Shenton.

On 23 August 2008, Shenton made his 100th appearance for the club in a 44–24 victory against [[Warrington Wolves]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/7573049.stm|title=Castleford 44-24 Warrington|date=2008-08-24|access-date=2019-06-25|language=en-GB}}</ref> At the Tigers' end of season awards, Shenton won Back of The Year. 2009 showed Shenton grow as a senior player in the squad. At the Tigers' end of season awards, Shenton won Back of The Year again. He also won the Castleford Tigers Supporters Club's Special Achievement Award.

2010 proved to be Shenton's last season of his first spell with the Tigers. 
[[File:Michael Shenton.jpg|thumb|right|Shenton playing for Castleford in 2010]]
Shenton finished his time with the Tigers against his new club, [[St Helens R.F.C.|St Helens]], in their last league game at [[Knowsley Road]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/super_league/8963473.stm|title=St Helens 40-30 Castleford|date=2010-09-04|access-date=2019-06-25|language=en-GB}}</ref> Shenton was the 2nd longest serving Castleford player in the squad, behind teammate [[Craig Huby]].

=== St Helens ===
Shenton signed for St Helens on a three-year Deal.<ref name="saints1" /> Shenton scored his first try for the club in a 56–22 win over [[Salford Red Devils|Salford]].

He played in the [[2011 Super League Grand Final]] defeat by [[Leeds Rhinos|Leeds]] at [[Old Trafford]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/oct/08/super-league-grand-final-match-report?newsfeed=true|title=Leeds claim Grand Final glory as inspired Rob Burrow sinks St Helens|date=8 October 2011|work=The Guardian|access-date=21 November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyleague/8815944/St-Helens-16-Leeds-32-match-report.html|title=St Helens 16 Leeds 32|date=8 October 2011|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=21 November 2019}}</ref>

=== Return to Castleford Tigers ===
Shenton's return to Castleford from the 2013 season was announced on 7 June 2012.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/18351602|title=Centre Michael Shenton to rejoin Castleford from St Helens|date=2012-06-07|access-date=2019-06-25|language=en-GB}}</ref> He signed a four-year deal with the Tigers. It was later announced in December that he would be the club captain.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/20597360|title=Michael Shenton to captain Castleford in 2013|date=2012-12-04|access-date=2019-06-25|language=en-GB}}</ref>

On 27 March 2014, Shenton scored the 100th try of his Castleford career in their 54–6 win over [[London Broncos]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/26730032|title=Super League: London Broncos 6-54 Castleford Tigers|date=2014-03-27|access-date=2019-06-25|language=en-GB}}</ref> Shenton led out Castleford at the [[2014 Challenge Cup Final]] defeat by the [[Leeds Rhinos]] at [[Wembley Stadium]].<ref name="Leeds lift Challenge Cup after Ryan Hall’s double stuns Castleford">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/aug/23/catleford-leeds-challenge-cup-final-match-report|title=Leeds lift Challenge Cup after Ryan Hall's double stuns Castleford|work=The Guardian|date=23 August 2014|access-date=12 November 2019}}</ref> He was named in the Super League Dream Team in 2014.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/28884420|title=Challenge Cup final: Castleford Tigers 10-23 Leeds Rhinos|date=2014-08-23|access-date=2019-06-25|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/29206420|title=Super League Dream Team: Jamie Peacock named for 10th time|date=2014-09-15|access-date=2019-06-25|language=en-GB}}</ref>
[[File:Michael Shenton Castleford.jpg|thumb|right|Shenton in Castleford kit]]
Shenton was named in the Super League Dream Team for the second consecutive year at the end of the 2015 season.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/34380291|title=Leeds Rhinos dominate 2015 Super League Dream Team|date=2015-09-28|access-date=2019-06-25|language=en-GB}}</ref>

On 7 February 2016, Shenton was on the receiving end of a tackle by [[Hull Kingston Rovers|Hull KR]]'s [[John Boudebza]] in the opening fixture of the Super League, sustaining an [[anterior cruciate ligament]] (ACL) knee injury.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/35531867|title=Michael Shenton: Castleford Tigers captain to miss season|date=2016-02-09|access-date=2019-06-25|language=en-GB}}</ref> This injury resulted in Shenton missing the entirety of the 2016 season.

In 2017, Shenton captained Castleford to a 1st-placed finish in Super League, winning the club's first ever top-flight league title.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/40938006|title=Super 8s: Castleford Tigers 45-20 Wakefield Trinity|date=2017-08-17|access-date=2019-06-25|language=en-GB}}</ref> He lifted the [[League Leaders' Shield]] on 17 August following a 45–20 victory against local rivals [[Wakefield Trinity]]. Shenton also led out the Castleford team for the [[2017 Super League Grand Final]] defeat by the [[Leeds Rhinos]] at [[Old Trafford]].<ref name="Castleford 6-24 Leeds: Grand Final 2017 – as it happened">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2017/oct/07/castleford-v-leeds-grand-final-2017-live-super-league-rugby?page=with:block-59d9128de4b00593b4d67a05#liveblog-navigation|title=Castleford 6-24 Leeds: Grand Final 2017 – as it happened|work=The Guardian|date=7 October 2017|access-date=6 November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-league/41536394|title=Grand Final 2017: Castleford 6-24 Leeds Rhinos|date=7 October 2017|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=6 November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/oct/07/castleford-leeds-super-league-grand-final-match-report|title=Danny McGuire guides Leeds to Grand Final success over Castleford|date=7 October 2017|work=The Guardian|access-date=6 November 2019}}</ref>

Shenton was named in the Super League Dream Team for the third time in his career at the end of the 2017 season.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/41387829|title=Super League Dream Team: Six Castleford Tigers players in team of 2017 season|date=2017-09-25|access-date=2019-06-25|language=en-GB}}</ref>

Shenton celebrated his testimonial year in 2020, playing against [[Toronto Wolfpack]] on 19 January for his testimonial match.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-01-19|title=Tigers lose out in Shenton testimonial|url=https://castlefordtigers.com/article.php?id=6754|access-date=2020-04-02|website=Castleford Tigers}}</ref>

On 17 July 2021, he captained Castleford in their [[2021 Challenge Cup Final]] defeat against [[St Helens R.F.C.|St Helens]] at [[Wembley Stadium|Wembley]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/57828390/|title=Challenge Cup: St Helens beat Castleford 26-12 for first Wembley victory since 2008|publisher=BBC}}</ref>

== International career ==
Shenton made his international début for England on 10 October 2008, defeating [[Wales Rugby League|Wales]] 74–0 at the [[Keepmoat Stadium]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/7642490.stm|title=England 74-0 Wales|date=2008-10-10|access-date=2019-06-25|language=en-GB}}</ref> Shenton was called into the 2008 Rugby League World Cup train-on squad but missed out on going to Australia.

In 2009, Shenton played in England's mid-season international against France on 13 June. He also played against Wales in the Four Nations warm-up match on 17 October. Shenton played in all 4 of England's matches in the Four Nations, including in the Final against Australia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/michael-shenton/summary.html|title=Michael Shenton – Career Stats & Summary – Rugby League Project|publisher=Rugby League Project|access-date=2019-06-25}}</ref>

In 2010, Shenton played in the mid-season international against France on 12 June, scoring his 1st England try in their 60–6 victory at [[Leigh Sports Village]]. He played against New Zealand Māori on 16 October in the Four Nations warm-up match.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2010-10-16|title=England draw Four Nations warm-up game|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/9096373.stm|access-date=2021-04-02|publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> Shenton played in the opening match of the Four Nations 2010, against New Zealand on 23 October.

In 2011, Shenton played in the International Origin match against the Exiles on 10 June at [[Headingley Rugby Stadium|Headingley]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2011-06-10|title=George Carmont snatches Exiles victory at Headingley|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/13696752|access-date=2021-04-02|publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref>

In 2014, Shenton played and scored a try for England in the opening match of the Four Nations 2014 against Samoa.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/29700895|title=Four Nations: England defeat Samoa 32-26 in thrilling opener|date=2014-10-25|access-date=2019-06-25|language=en-GB}}</ref>

== Coaching career ==
Following his retirement as a player, Shenton joined [[Hull F.C.]] as the reserves and academy team coach and head of emerging talent.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Peter |date=27 September 2021 |title=Ex-Castleford Tigers captain Michael Shenton joins Super League rivals Hull FC |url=https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/ex-tigers-skipper-shenton-joins-rivals-hull-3398559 |access-date=13 January 2024 |website=Yorkshire Evening Post}}</ref>

He is currently the assistant coach to [[Daryl Powell]] at [[Wakefield Trinity]].<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Love Rugby League|date=27 October 2023|title=Wakefield Trinity boss Daryl Powell reunites with 'the most impressive young coach in the game' at Belle Vue|url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/wakefield-trinity-boss-daryl-powell-reunites-with-the-most-impressive-young-coach-in-the-game-at-belle-vue}}</ref>

==Career summary==
Signed from Amateur Club – Upton RLFC

===Honours===

* 2004 – U18s Academy Grand Final Winner
* 2005 – Northern Rail Cup Final Runners-up
* 2005 – National League One Grand Final Winner
* 2007 – National League One Grand Final Winner
* 2008 – England Rugby League Début
* 2009 – Four Nations Runners-up
* 2011 – Super League Grand Final Runners-up
* 2014 – Challenge Cup Final Runners-up
* 2017 – Super League League Leaders Shield Winners
* 2017 – Super League Grand Final Runners-up
* 2021 – Challenge Cup Final Runners-up

=== Club statistics ===
{{Table alignment}}
{|class="wikitable defaultcenter"
|+ Appearances and points in all competitions by year
|-
! Club !! Season !! Tier
!style="width:2em;" |{{Tooltip|App|Appearances}}
!style="width:2em;" |{{Tooltip|T|Tries}}
!style="width:2em;" |{{Tooltip|G|Goals}}
!style="width:2em;" |{{Tooltip|DG|Drop goals}}
!style="width:2em;" |{{Tooltip|Pts|Points}}
|-
|rowspan="17" style="text-align:left;"| {{leagueicon|Castleford|16}} [[Castleford Tigers]]
| [[2004 Castleford Tigers season|2004]]
| [[Super League IX|Super League]]
|	3	||	0	||	0	||	0	||	0
|-
| [[2005 Castleford Tigers season|2005]]
| [[2005 Rugby League National Leagues|National League One]]
|	29	||	24	||	0	||	0	||	96
|-
| [[2006 Castleford Tigers season|2006]]
| [[Super League XI|Super League]]
|	27	||	8	||	0	||	0	||	32
|-
| [[2007 Castleford Tigers season|2007]]
| [[2007 Rugby League National Leagues|National League One]]
|	20	||	19	||	0	||	0	||	76
|-
| [[2008 Castleford Tigers season|2008]]
| [[Super League XIII|Super League]]
|	22	||	13	||	0	||	0	||	52
|-
| [[2009 Castleford Tigers season|2009]]
| [[Super League XIV|Super League]]
|	30	||	19	||	0	||	0	||	76
|-
| [[2010 Castleford Tigers season|2010]]
| [[Super League XV|Super League]]
|	22	||	10	||	0	||	0	||	40
|-
| [[2013 Castleford Tigers season|2013]]
| [[Super League XVIII|Super League]]
|	27	||	5	||	0	||	0	||	20
|-
| [[2014 Castleford Tigers season|2014]]
| [[Super League XIX|Super League]]
|	32	||	18	||	0	||	0	||	72
|-
| [[2015 Castleford Tigers season|2015]]
| [[Super League XX|Super League]]
|	28	||	14	||	0	||	0	||	56
|-
| [[2016 Castleford Tigers season|2016]]
| [[Super League XXI|Super League]]
|	1	||	0	||	0	||	0	||	0
|-
| [[2017 Castleford Tigers season|2017]]
| [[Super League XXII|Super League]]
|	28	||	7	||	0	||	0	||	28
|-
| [[2018 Castleford Tigers season|2018]]
| [[Super League XXIII|Super League]]
|	30	||	10	||	0	||	0	||	40
|-
| [[2019 Castleford Tigers season|2019]]
| [[Super League XXIV|Super League]]
|	12	||	3	||	0	||	0	||	12
|-
| [[2020 Castleford Tigers season|2020]]
| [[Super League XXV|Super League]]
|	17	||	7	||	0	||	0	||	28
|-
| [[2021 Castleford Tigers season|2021]]
| [[Super League XXVI|Super League]]
|	19	||	4	||	0	||	0	||	16
|-
!colspan="2"| Total
!	347	!!	161	!!	0	!!	0	!!	644
|-
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:left;"| {{leagueicon|St Helens|16}} [[St Helens R.F.C.|St Helens]]
| [[2011 St Helens RLFC season|2011]]
| [[Super League XVI|Super League]]
|	32	||	13	||	0	||	0	||	52
|-
| [[2012 St Helens RLFC season|2012]]
| [[Super League XVII|Super League]]
|	26	||	7	||	0	||	0	||	28
|-
!colspan="2"| Total
!	58	!!	20	!!	0	!!	0	!!	80
|-
!colspan="3"| Career total
!	405	!!	181	!!	0	!!	0	!!	724
|}

=== England statistics ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
!Against
!style="width:40px;" |{{Tooltip|App|Appearances}}
!style="width:40px;" |{{Tooltip|T|Tries}}
!style="width:40px;" |{{Tooltip|G|Goals}}
!style="width:40px;" |{{Tooltip|FG|Field goals}}
!style="width:40px;" |{{Tooltip|Pts|Points}}
|-
|style="text-align:left;" |{{rl|Australia}}
|2
|0
|0
|0
|0
|-
|style="text-align:left;" | [[Exiles rugby league team|Exiles]] 
|1
|0
|0
|0
|0
|-
|style="text-align:left;" |{{rl|France}}
|3
|2
|0
|0
|8
|-
|style="text-align:left;" |{{rl|New Zealand Māori}}
|1
|0
|0
|0
|0
|-
|style="text-align:left;" |{{rl|New Zealand}}
|2
|0
|0
|0
|0
|-
|style="text-align:left;" |{{rl|Samoa}}
|1
|1
|0
|0
|4
|-
|style="text-align:left;" |{{rl|Wales}}
|2
|0
|0
|0
|0
|-
!Totals
!12
!3
!0
!0
!12
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*[https://www.castlefordtigers.com/player.php?id=5 Castleford Tigers profile]
*(archived by web.archive.org) [https://web.archive.org/web/20071102065245/http://www.castigers.com/cgi-bin/showprofile.cgi?20 Castleford profile]
*(archived by web.archive.org) [https://web.archive.org/web/20150622160414/http://www.castigers.com/player/327 Cas Tigers profile]
*{{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227102908/http://www.thecastlefordtigers.co.uk/playerprofile.php?pid=156|date=27 February 2012|title=Profile at thecastlefordtigers.co.uk }}
*[https://www.superleague.co.uk/player/38/michael-shenton SL profile]

{{England 2009 Rugby League Four Nations squad}}
{{England 2010 Rugby League Four Nations squad}}
{{England 2014 Rugby League Four Nations squad}}
{{2014 Super League Dream Team}}
{{2015 Super League Dream Team}}
{{2017 Super League Dream Team}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Shenton, Michael}}
[[Category:1986 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Castleford Tigers captains]]
[[Category:Castleford Tigers players]]
[[Category:England national rugby league team players]]
[[Category:English rugby league players]]
[[Category:Rugby league centres]]
[[Category:Rugby league players from Pontefract]]
[[Category:St Helens R.F.C. players]]