Never The Easy Option : The Gareth Ellis Story

A shy, introverted rugby league-loving boy conquered the sport on both sides of the world, reaching the summit of the game while continually doubting himself - this is Gareth Ellis's open, honest and unflinching account

Always prepared to work the hardest to achieve his goals, four times he faced life-changing decisions; to leave Wakefield who gave him his chance, depart from Leeds when part of the club’s ‘golden generation’, turn his back on the NRL when at Wests Tigers despite being the club’s player of the year on three consecutive occasions, and to choose Hull on his return to Super League. On each occasion, as he reveals in candid detail, he never took the easy option, the story of his glorious career, including the brave decision to come out of retirement in 2019. Unashamedly open and honest, he defines the nebulous concept of what is ‘culture’ at a club, reflects on his sacrifices to become one of the most revered, how the international game – where he won 38 caps – must be improved, and that his sole aim in over 480 career appearances was to be the kind of player others wanted beside them. This is a rare insight into what it takes to be a professional sportsman.