Smeaton rejected full-time chance at Sheffield for Halifax challenge

Halifax centre Sam Smeaton has revealed that he rejected the chance to go full-time at Sheffield Eagles in order to sign for his new club.

The 27-year-old threequarter left the Eagles after just one season with the club, but the chance of full-time rugby does not suit his lifestyle at the moment.

“I had the option to go full time with Sheffield, and a few years ago I would have jumped at the chance, but I’ve got a young family now and, right now, it wasn’t the right option,” Smeaton told the Halifax Courier.

“It wasn’t a simple decision; I’ve got more than myself to think about now.

“We’ve got a two year old son, I’ve got a good job as an electrician with a good pension and while I’d never say never, this wasn’t the right time.”

Other clubs approached Smeaton, but it was Fax he felt was the best option for him at this stage of his career.

“I spoke to a few clubs, but Halifax felt like the best choice for me,” he added.

“It’s definitely not the easiest option as far as getting in the team goes; I could have gone elsewhere, chilled out, put the cue on the rack and still been guaranteed to play pretty much every week.”