Ex-Wakefield Trinity ace Lee Kershaw on free agent life and London Broncos shot
He's doing his own washing for the first time, has worked behind a bar and is still seeking a new club but Lee Kershaw isn’t moaning.
Most Super League players unemployed just four weeks before the new season would be a nervous wreck. But the flying winger, who left relegated Wakefield Trinity at the end of last term, has taken the major setback in his stride. Free agent Kershaw, 24, trained with Leeds Rhinos to stay fit and has now just started a month-long trial with newly-promoted London Broncos.
He hopes to prove to boss Mike Eccles he’s worth a shot in 2024. Kershaw admitted: “I can imagine why some people would be feeling differently about being in this position. But I haven’t got any kids. I haven’t got a mortgage to pay. I live at home with my parents in Bradford and pay £250 board per month. I haven’t anyone relying on me. As long as I’m playing rugby I’m alright with it.”
He added: “I’ve only been with London a week but it’s good. I was a bit iffy at first cos I’ve never moved away from home. I’ve got to do my own washing and things like that now! But there’s a few of my old Wakefield team-mates here - Sid Adebiyi, Alex Walker and Rob Butler - so it helps having a few friendly faces. And they’re looking to give Super League a good crack.”
As relaxed as Kershaw is, it is bizarre he’s not been picked up by any club after Wakefield opted not to offer him new terms. He scored seven tries in 17 appearances last term, including some spectacular long-range efforts, and amassed 18 in 50 games since debuting for Trinity in 2019. Kershaw conceded: “It’s a good question. But I don’t know [why].
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“I don’t really think about it too much. I just take it as it comes. “There’s nothing I can do about it apart from train and play well. I can only control the controlables. There’s three friendlies coming up and hopefully I’ll get some game time in there to show what I can do.”
A dejected Lee Kershaw as Wakefield Trinity are relegated at Leigh (PA)He has not yet needed to get another job and Kershaw, who could debut in Sunday's friendly at Castleford, explained: “I worked on the bar in a nightclub, just once. But I wanted to be right for Leeds. They trained four days in the week, seven am until two or three pm.
“I’d then get home and get ready for the next day. I didn’t want to work as well instead of training: I wanted to be fresh to take any chance. I definitely want to stay in Super League.”
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