Leeds Tykes

Thank you and goodbye

By Angela Rimmington Brown
Leeds Tykes logo with images of players and staff leaving

Leeds Tykes can confirm the following departures at the end of the 2022/23 National League 1 campaign.

Matt Burke, Trystan Lloyd, Sam Mace, Grayson Maguire, Tighe Maxwell-Whiteley, John Okafor and Alex Pleasants leave with our very best wishes.

Matt Burke won a host of awards during the 2 seasons he was with us: Oracle Coaches’ Player of the 2021/22 season, pre-season/early 2022/23 season Man of Steel and 2022/23 season Coaches Player of the Season. Matt has gone to Australia.

Trystan Lloyd is having to retire from playing rugby. He has been with the club since 2017, moving to Leeds on a scholarship and taking part in the 2017/18 B&I Cup before becoming a regular in the side from the 2018/19 season. He was club captain for the 2022/23 season. Trystan said: “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved with the club for making Leeds my home for the last 6 years. There have been lots of ups and downs on my journey with the club, but what stands out most is the memories made with the team mates that will be friends for life.

“Next season is a fresh start for the club and I will be cheering on Pete and the boys to go forward and build something special. #UTT”

Sam Mace has returned to Canada. On his departure, Sam said: “What a year it’s been. I’ve met some amazing people and made memories for life. Thank you Leeds.”

Grayson Maguire is travelling and Tighe Maxwell-Whiteley returns to his native Midlands.

John Okafor and Alex Pleasants have signed for Rotherham so we’ll see them next season.

Also leaving are Head Physiotherapist, Fay Martyn, and Sports Therapist, Bryony Watson.

We thank all of them for their time with the Tykes and wish them every success with their future endeavours.

We will be announcing retained players and share exciting news about new players soon.