Quick Facts
Biography
Danny Brough (born 15 January 1983) is an English professional rugby league footballer for English club Huddersfield of Super League. A Scotland international representative half back, he has previously played for Hull, Castleford and Wakefield Trinity. He is more commonly known by his nickname 'Turtleneck.'
Playing career
2000s
Brough started his playing career as a junior at Thornhill before signing for Wakefield Trinity at the age of 15. He failed to make a first team appearance for the club and moved to Dewsbury in the Northern Ford Premiership, making his senior debut in 2002. Seeking more regular first team opportunities, Brough requested a transfer during the 2003 season, and was subsequently sold to National League Two side York. In 2004, Brough set new club records at York for most goals scored in a season (178), and most points scored in a season (412), helping the club reach the quarter final of the Challenge Cup, and narrowly missing out on promotion to National League One following a 30–34 defeat in the play-off final against Halifax. At the end of the season, he joined Super League side Hull.
Brough starred with four goals and a drop-goal in Hull's 2005 Challenge Cup Final win over Leeds, with many claiming he was unlucky not to win the Lance Todd Trophy. However, Brough found himself out of favour a year later and joined Castleford, helping them to gain promotion back to Super League in 2007 having lowered his wages to play in the Championship competition.
Following Castleford's promotion, Brough joined Wakefield Trinity in 2008 and became a key player for the team, going on to win the Albert Goldthorpe Medal that year. Brough played at international level for Scotland, qualifying via his grandfather. He captained the Bravehearts at the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.
Brough's international future was thrown into question following the World Cup, as he announced his intention to switch allegiance to England in 2009, citing a lack of opportunities to play in major tournaments with Scotland. However, Brough was not selected for England, and did not feature at international level for two years.
2010s
On 24 March 2010 Brough moved to Huddersfield, and was named club captain during 2012 following the mid-season departure of Kevin Brown.
Brough was eventually called into the England squad for an International Origin match in 2012. He was subsequently omitted once again from the England squad, and, amid heavy speculation, in 2013 announced that he would once again be committing to Scotland, having not featured for England in an official international match.
At the end of the 2013 Super League season, Brough won the Man Of Steel award for his excellent performances throughout the season. He also became the first player ever to win a second Albert Goldthorpe Medal.
In October and November 2013, Brough captained Scotland in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.
Brough was shortlisted alongside Sonny Bill Williams and Greg Inglis for the RLIF International Player of the Year.
In October and November 2014, Brough led Scotland in the 2014 European Cup. He shared his belief saying that Scotland have the quality and deserve playing at a higher International level. The Winner of the tournament would qualify to play in the 2016 Four Nations alongside International heavyweights Australia, England and New Zealand. He played at his best throughout the tournament, earning him the 'Player of the Tournament' award. His performances and leadership inspired the team to qualify for 2016's major international rugby league competition and win the European Cup for the first ever time. Later in the year, his performances made him the clear winner for winning the 'Prince of Scots' award as the best player to play in the bravehearts jersey this year.
Yet again in October and November 2015, Danny decided to play for Scotland instead of taking a long off-season break and was therefore named as the captain of the Bravehearts in their 2015 European Cup campaign.
Five months out from the 2016 Four Nations, Brough announced he'd skipper the Bravehearts in their first ever tournament (other than the World Cup) amongst the 'big 3' International nations.