WARRINGTON Wolves’ homegrown forward Joe Philbin has been granted a 12-month Testimonial by the Rugby Football League as he prepares to celebrate his 11th season in the primrose and blue in 2024.
After representing Culcheth Eagles and Latchford Albion as a junior, Joe joined his hometown club aged 15 where he progressed through the Academy system before making his first team debut against Hull KR in 2014. The 28-year-old has since gone on to make 191 appearances for the club to date. He famously scored the opening try in Warrington’s 18-4 win over St Helens in the Challenge Cup Final in 2019 and also lifted the League Leaders’ Shield with the Club in 2016.
The wrecking ball prop has international honours with Great Britain, England and Ireland.
Joe has selected four charities for his Testimonial year which includes The Warrington Wolves Foundation, MND Association, the British Heart Foundation and Room at the Inn and the Y Project Warrington.
A Testimonial match is set to take place in his honour prior to the start of the 2024 season at The Halliwell Jones Stadium. Full details of the fixture, as well as other events for his Testimonial year, will be announced in due course.
Joe Philbin said: “I’m immensely proud and this is a massive moment for me.
“When I got the email off the RFL I had a bit of a reflection period. I turned up here as a fat 15-year-old kid and there’s no chance I thought I’d get 10 years in the first team at my hometown club!
“I’ve watched some of my heroes get their Testimonials here over the years and to be able to have been granted one alongside those names makes me really proud.
“To have come back from my ACL injury this season too has definitely made me appreciate the game a lot more. I wanted to challenge myself to come back a better player and that’s what I’m striving to do.
“Sam [Burgess] is coming in next year too who I think will bring my game on leaps and bounds. It’s exciting times for myself and the club.”
Warrington Wolves CEO Karl Fitzpatrick added: “Joe is a big fans favourite. He is always full of positive energy which is so infectious, which is one of the reasons he’s extremely popular amongst the players and staff. He is also very active in the community and very generous with his time.
“With the way he conducts himself he is a perfect role model for any young player aspiring to play professional rugby league.
“He’s still only 28 with his best years in front of him. Hopefully 2024 can be a big year for him on and off the field.”
🟡 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨 🔵
Congratulations @philbss on being granted a 12-month Testimonial 👏
— Warrington Wolves (@WarringtonRLFC) September 1, 2023
