Tom Halliday talks Doncaster’s promotion and adjusting to life in the second tier, his side’s remarkable race to the Play-Offs, and the tale of how he switched codes and came to play the sport of Rugby League…
Tom Halliday is a fan favourite at Doncaster – a side who are the newly promoted in this year’s Betfred Championship.
Ending their eight-year exile from the second tier last year, the Dons have well-adjusted to the step up, and speedster Halliday, who has been an integral part of the club since 2019, spoke about how he has found his time in the Championship competition.
With just eleven regular rounds remaining before the eagerly anticipated Play-Offs begin, Doncaster find themselves just three points away from sixth spot and are well in the mix to challenge for a Play-Off place.
“I think we’re kind of where we want to be,” said Halliday, who scored the opening try of Doncaster's 2024 Championship campaign.
“There’s been a few results which haven’t gone our way and a few disappointing results, but that’s just part of the parcel of the league this year.
“On the day, anybody can beat anybody. There have been some results which you’d look at on paper before the game and think a certain team should win, but then that hasn’t been the case.
“We’ve been quite optimistic – we’ve signed some incredible players, and we have a very good team.”
Within touching distance of a Play-Off place is a remarkable achievement for a newly promoted club, with the league arguably tighter than it’s ever been…
“We [Doncaster] did come out and say that we aren’t just looking to survive, we are looking to compete. We definitely didn’t just come up to survive and manage, we did want to aim high.”
Promotion can often be a huge change and challenge for clubs and players, and Halliday, who has been in and out of the match-day squad in 2024, gave an honest review of his time in the second tier:
“To be honest, in the few games of the season I thought I’m alright here, and then we played Wakey [Wakefield],” Halliday said.
“And on top of what wasn’t a very good game, I think I also probably underestimated how good a full-time outfit actually was.
“It was a bit of a shock to the system – I didn’t have a good game and then I didn’t end up playing for a while after that.
“I had to have a little battle with myself in my own head and prepare for the next opportunity when it came my way - to prove a point not only to myself, but to the coaches, the fans and my teammates that I could compete in this league.
“I then played Toulouse, Bradford, Dewsbury and Swinton and I feel like after those four games, I’ve done more than proven I can compete at this level and I’m comfortable at it, so I’m at peace with that.”
And after righting any of those wrongs, Halliday has more than proved himself as an exceptional talent, and has enjoyed what the Championship has had to offer:
“To play the top end teams – your Wakefields, albeit it didn’t go too well, and your Bradfords and Toulouses – just to play against those teams and test myself has been a privilege.
“It’s not just the games I’ve played, it’s the players I’m playing with. That’s a big thing for me. I grew up playing rugby union at an amateur level and then got an opportunity to play league at Dewsbury.
“I didn’t really expect much to come of it, and just thought I’ll give it a go and see, but obviously it’s been a rollercoaster ever since. To be where I am today and playing with some of the players I’m playing with, I’m pretty proud of myself.
“I think this year, I’ve just enjoyed playing in general – I’m really enjoying it.”
It wasn’t always rugby league however, as Halliday had explained. The Goole-born winger first started out playing the opposite code as a youngster, and it was years before he had the option to think about a potential career in league.
“My dad took me to play rugby union when I was six. He’ll read this and not be so happy with what I’m about to say, but I think he played a little bit - I don’t think he was the best though!" Halliday laughed.
"He didn’t really have the best career in it, but then I just went and did it, and like all parents do they push you in the right direction of keep you at it.
“I did love it. I love all aspects of rugby, but I didn’t really think too much into playing rugby league. There isn’t much of that around Goole, it is predominantly a rugby union-based place. But the sport has got Goole Vikings at the moment, who have just emerged - which is great!"
“Anyway, I was playing in a final with Goole Rugby Union, where I had a good game and scored a few good tries and it was one of my dad’s friends who saw a video on Facebook and mentioned something to Neil Kelly, who was Dewsbury’s head coach at the time.
“Kelly then said to get me down. I remember turning up and first person I saw was Paul Sykes – and he’s a big bloke! I didn’t really weigh much myself and was quite slim, and I thought what on earth am I getting myself into?!”
Sticking at it with sheer determination, Halliday made a few appearances with the Rams, before joining with the Dons. The South Yorkshire side has become home ever since for the 27-year-old, with Halliday remaining fiercely loyal.
His most recent deal was penned at the back end of 2023, which sees Halliday with Doncaster until at least the end of this year.
“I stuck at it, learnt the game and got a few games at Dewsbury. That’s before I went out on loan to Donny, and they were the ones who gave me the chance, took me on loan, and helped me develop to where I am now.
“I do owe a lot to them really, because they did really start off my rugby league career.
“Doncaster took a bit of a chance with me coming over, as I didn’t have much experience. I don’t think they knew what to expect, so for them to give me that opportunity, I am forever grateful.
“That’s one of my reasons why I’ve stuck around – I owe it to them to give them everything I’ve got until my time eventually comes and I move on.”
Halliday enjoys the chaotic lifestyle of a part-time rugby league player, and there have been plenty of highlights during his time at Doncaster - from magical moments to promotion journeys, to his family proudly watching him play from the stands:
“One that sticks out is when we played Workington at home in 2021 in a Challenge Cup match. We were losing and they went to kick the ball through, but I picked it up and raced 100 metres to win us the game.
“That was quite a satisfying moment.”
Securing promotion was also third time lucky for Halliday and Doncaster, following two successive years of Promotion Final heartbreak against both Workington and Swinton.
But they were finally able to get the job done when they faced North Wales Crusaders last year, running out as 18-6 winners, which Halliday, who was pivotal in this winning performance, admitted this made it extra special:
“Getting promoted in front of my family was a surreal moment. We’ve been after doing that [getting promoted] for years. I’ve played in quite a few Promotion Play-Off Finals, and we’d never managed to get the job done, so to finally get it done for the club – that was a nice moment.”
“The 2023 Promotion Final was the first one where I had my little boy there, Elvis. He’s been there watching at every game and that means a lot, but to have him there at that final was the icing on the cake.”
Onto Round 16 of the Championship, and Doncaster will face Featherstone at the Millenium Stadium on Sunday – a huge game where the league standings are concerned.
The Rovers have won their last three matches to keep a hold of sixth place, but Doncaster, along with the likes of York Knights and Batley Bulldogs, are well in the mix to chase this down.
York also play Bradford this weekend – another crucial fixture, and Doncaster will be hoping to put a stop Featherstone’s recent momentum and make up for the heavy defeat they suffered against their opponents back in April.
“At this moment, it’s extremely close,” Halliday commented.
“Every game for us is important and last time out, Fev gave us a good hiding when they came to our place.
“It’s important in terms of the league standings, but it’s also about pride in the club – to get a bit of redemption. That was a bad day in the office and we don’t want that lasting memory surrounding us when it comes to games against Featherstone.
“If we can stamp out simple but costly errors, which leads on to lack of possession and the amount of defending we’re doing, we should be okay.
“You can’t afford to do that against a clinical top-end team or any team, it’s not something you can compete with.”
Looking ahead, Halliday reflected on the current season - on a personal level and how he is proud of his club's achievements:
“For me, I think these four games I’ve just had, I did have to right a few wrongs, so I’m grateful I got to do that. If I get back in the team, if I don’t, as long as the team and the club does well and succeeds for the fans, I think that’s great.
“And for the first year in the Championship and whatever we do from now, I think we’ve done ourselves proud.
“It’s motivating this year for the players because there’s no longer that aspect of playing a team and thinking you’ve got no chance. You’ve got that motivation of it being anyone’s game.
“You can’t take your foot off the gas. You have to be mentally prepared for every single game.
"There’s no rest weekends anymore, you’ve got to be on it every week because if you don’t you get punished.”
Tickets are still available for Featherstone v Doncaster’s Round 16 fixture. Fans can purchase tickets online from Featherstone Rovers’ official club website.
The full fixture list for the Betfred Championship can be found here.
A full Betfred Championship Round 16 Preview can be found here.
Photo Credit: Doncaster RLFC
