Who Is Leaving York RLFC After The 2025 Season?

It's that time of year in rugby league when the dust settles and clubs start looking ahead. For York RLFC, the end of the 2025 season means saying a tough goodbye to some familiar faces. It's a mix of players moving on to new challenges and one club legend deciding to hang up his boots for good.

The list of departures includes Connor Bailey, who is making a massive move to Super League side Hull FC, alongside Joe Brown, Conor Fitzsimmons, Jacob Gannon, Jack Potter, and James Farrar. And in a particularly big moment for the club, the popular forward Ukuma Ta'ai is retiring from the game. It's always a bit sad for the fans to see favourites go, but it's also a chance to celebrate what they brought to the team during their season with the club.

The big move to Super League for Connor Bailey

This is a huge one. Connor Bailey is heading to the big time, joining Hull FC for the 2026 season. Anyone who has watched York over the past couple of years won't be surprised. Since arriving from Newcastle Thunder for the 2024 season, he's been a standout player. You could stick him in the second row or at centre, and he'd get the job done with a bit of magic. His versatility has been a massive asset. His hard work and flair made him a real favourite with the fans.

Think about those big moments - he was right there in the thick of it during last year's play-off run and was a massive part of the team that won this season's League Leaders Shield. That's not a small achievement. Scoring 19 tries in 63 games shows he knows how to find the line. This move to the Super League, which is the top level of the sport, is a massive step up, and it shows that playing for a club like York RLFC can be a brilliant launchpad for a player's career. It's a testament to both his skill and the club's ability to develop talent.

Goodbye to some proper try-scorers

Two other key players are on the move, and they'll be missed for their ability to put points on the board. First up is Joe Brown. He rocked up at York as a 23-year-old from the Bradford Bulls back in the 2022 season and wasted no time making his mark. A winger or full-back who just knew where the try line was, he scored an incredible 56 times in 110 games. That's a fantastic record.

He wasn't just scoring easy tries either, he was known for some pretty spectacular and crucial ones over his four years at the club. He was a player the fans could rely on to produce a moment of magic. Then there's Conor Fitzsimmons. A forward who's as popular as they come. He joined from Workington for the 2023 season and fitted in straight away. Forwards are the engines of the team, doing all the tough stuff, and Conor Fitzsimmons was an integral part of that engine room. He chipped in with 12 tries in his 68 appearances, which is a great return for a player in his position. His presence and relentless energy will definitely be missed on the pitch next year.

A legend retires: Ukuma Ta'ai calls it a day

This one will hit the fans hard. Ukuma Ta'ai, the powerhouse forward, is retiring at the end of the year. He brought a mountain of experience with him when he joined at the start of 2023. This is a guy who played for eight years in the Super League with the Huddersfield Giants and even had a stint in the NRL in Australia with the New Zealand Warriors.

You just can't buy that kind of know-how. But his impact wasn't just about what he did during the 80 minutes of a match. Ukuma Ta'ai was huge for the club's culture. He was a leader, a mentor to the younger lads, and just a great presence in the dressing room. He was a consistent performer every single time he pulled on the York RLFC shirt. Over 58 appearances, he scored 8 tries, but his real value was in his leadership and the standards he set. It's the end of an era for a player who has given so much to the sport. The club will need to find someone to fill those very big boots, both on and off the field.

Farewell to the rising stars and squad players

It's not just the big names who are leaving. A few other players are also heading for the exit door after the 2025 season. Jacob Gannon has had a bit of a back-and-forth journey with York. He first played a couple of games on loan back in 2021, then came back for a season-long loan in 2024 before making the move permanent for the 2025 season. He made 26 appearances in total, scoring twice, and always put in a shift whenever he was called upon.

Another young talent moving on is Jack Potter. The young half back arrived in 2024 from Hull KR. In rugby league, the half back is like the team's main playmaker, directing the attack. He made three appearances for the club, managing to score one try and kick four goals in that short time, showing glimpses of his potential. Finally, there's James Farrar. He signed on for the 2025 season after coming through the respected Hull KR's Academy. What's really impressive is that he's an Irish international. While he didn't get to make his debut for the York first team, his role as a squad member shouldn't be overlooked. These are the players who push the starters in training every single week, helping to raise the standard for everyone.

Summary of Departures

Here's a quick look at the players leaving York RLFC:

• Connor Bailey: Joining Super League's Hull FC for 2026. A star player known for his hard work.
• Joe Brown: Prolific try-scorer leaving after four years.
• Conor Fitzsimmons: Popular forward and a key part of the team.
• Jacob Gannon: Moving on after several spells with the club.
• Jack Potter: Young half back departing after a short stint.
• James Farrar: Irish international squad member.
• Ukuma Ta'ai: Retiring after a fantastic career, a huge influence on the club's culture.

It's clear that York RLFC will have some rebuilding to do ahead of the new season. Every player, from the star heading to the Super League to the dedicated squad man, has played their part. The club has wished them all the very best for what comes next, and the fans will surely be doing the same. It's the end of a chapter for these players at York, but the story of the club goes on.