Stalwart Steele still going strong after 300

HE’s Otley’s man of Steele, in name and nature.

Hooker Ben Steele is in his 14th season at Cross Green and reached the 300league appearance mark, a record for the club, at the end of last month.

The 33-year-old teacher has seen it all during his time in black and white, including the near-ruinous period in 2009 when the club looked like it could go to the wall.

Otley dropped two levels to where they are now in National 2 North, but Steele stayed loyal and admits he couldn’t imagine playing for anyone else.

“There have been some highs and lows,” he told

TRP. “The highs were finishing fifth in back-to-back National One seasons as well as the chance to learn off so many quality players, while the biggest low was the period when we had financial problems.

“Everyone except myself and Howard Parr left. It was a shocker. But with me being an Otley lad and loyal I didn’t believe there was any reason to leave, even though I did have offers. I believed in the development and regrowth of the club, and I am glad I did.

“I think Otley are now on the rise again, and the squad is getting better and more competitive. It has taken a while to get back to that from where we’ve been.

“(Lead coach) Tom Casson has brought in a fresh approach and is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. We’ve got some good, young backs and he is enjoying working with them.”

Steele made his league debut against Henley in November 2003. He added: “I’d played for England U18s the year before and started the season as third-choice hooker behind Mark Luffman and Duncan Sayers. I was 23rd man on the Tuesday in training but the other two had to pull out and I found myself starting.

“I was nervous but Cleggy (DoR Peter Clegg) just told me to concentrate on hitting my lineouts and I played 80 minutes and hit every one. I think we won the game too.”