St.Helens R.F.C. can confirm that James Roby will be pursuing a new career path following the conclusion of the 2025 season.
James Roby will remain with the Saints as a Club Ambassador, and the Club will continue to be in discussion with Roby on future working collaborations in various areas.
As a St.Helens player, James Roby won six Super League championships, four Challenge Cups, eight League Leaders’ Shields, and two World Club titles.
Following his on-field retirement in October 2023, Roby took on the staff role in January 2024. Over the past two seasons, he has worked closely with the First Team squad and staff, as well as many other areas of the Club, including our off-field departments and youth performance programmes.
The 39-year-old is readying himself for a new challenge, away from the rugby league team that he has been synonymous with for 25 years.
WATCH – James Roby sits down with Saints TV to discuss the news
Speaking to saintsrlfc.com, James Roby said: “I feel the time is right. I’ve been at the Club for such a long time, and I actually made this decision quite a while back and informed the Club earlier in the season that I’d be moving on. It’s just time for me to take on a fresh challenge, test myself, and use the experience I’ve been so grateful to receive at St.Helens over the years.
“I’m sure I will still be around, and I’ll still be coming to home games.
“I’ve been at the Club my whole adult life and have nothing but good memories of everybody involved. I’m forever thankful to the players, staff, fans – everyone who makes this club what it is.”
The time spent as a member of our Coaching Staff has been hugely beneficial for Roby, who has developed an understanding of all the work done across departments at the Saints.
“It’s been eye-opening and very rewarding in terms of learning new things. I played for 20 years and didn’t understand the sheer amount of things the staff deal with behind closed doors.
“From a rugby player’s point of view, you don’t always mix with those in hospitality, events, finance, retail, or marketing, whatever it may be, but all involved abide by the same values we do as players, and all care deeply about the Club.
“I’ll be forever grateful that I’ve been able to be a part of the staff team. This club is the beating heart of the town, and I’ll be forever grateful to have been able to represent St.Helens and see how proud people are of the Club.”
Looking ahead for his beloved team, Roby believes good times are on the horizon for our First Team.
“We’ve got many brilliant youngsters coming through the squad, proven leaders, and internationals, but great people not just on the pitch but off it too. The building blocks for success are there, and hopefully this club can continue to perform at its best and get back to challenging for another trophy.”
Mike Rush, CEO of St.Helens R.F.C., commented: “James has been just as brilliant as part of our staff as he was as a player. It’s not a goodbye, as we will continue working with James and iron out some future work, but all of us at the Club would like to wish him nothing but the best for this new, different chapter.”
