# Nathan Massey (rugby league, born 1989)

Nathan Massey (born 11 July 1989) is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played as a prop or loose forward in the Super League and the RFL Championship in the 2000s, 2010s and 2020s.
Massey spent the majority of his playing career with the Castleford Tigers in the Super League after progressing through the club's academy. Across a 19-year stay at Castleford, he made 302 senior appearances, ranking second only to former captain Michael Shenton in the summer era. He played in the 2014 and 2021 Challenge Cup finals, the 2017 Super League Grand Final, and won the 2017 League Leaders' Shield.
Early in his career, he spent time on loan or dual registration from Castleford at Featherstone Rovers, Gateshead Thunder, and York City Knights in the RFL Championship, and at the Keighley Cougars and York City Knights in League 1. He signed for Featherstone Rovers in 2024 where he spent one season before announcing his retirement.

## Background

Massey was born in Castleford, West Yorkshire, England.
Massey played junior rugby league for Wakefield-based side Walton Warriors before being signed to the Castleford Tigers academy at the age of 15.

## Playing career
### Castleford Tigers

Massey progressed through the ranks at the Castleford Tigers academy and made his first team début on 11 March 2007 in an 88–10 victory over Castleford Lock Lane in the Challenge Cup. He was named the Tigers Academy player of the year in 2007.
On 24 March 2008, Massey made his Super League début for Castleford against the Warrington Wolves. In the 2008 season, Massey spent time on loan at Featherstone in the Championship and at York in League 1 to gain first team experience. He impressed for the Knights, who expressed a desire to extend his stay at the club into the next season. He was given an upgraded full-time contract by Castleford in August 2008.
Massey spent time on loan at Gateshead Thunder alongside several Castleford teammates in 2009. In March 2010, he joined Keighley Cougars on a dual registration deal. Despite making an impressive debut, he suffered a severe shoulder injury against the Sheffield Eagles in his first game for the club, ending his season prematurely.
Massey began the 2011 season playing for the York City Knights in the Championship through their dual registration arrangement with Castleford. He had been linked with a loan move to Harlequins but the Tigers preferred he went to York, from whom he could be recalled each week if needed. In his second spell with the club, he was voted the Player of the Month for February, and scored his first competitive try on 13 March against Hunslet. In June, the Knights decided against renewing Massey's temporary deal to free up salary cap space and instead develop their own players; he scored 2 tries against Rochdale in the Challenge Cup on his return to Castleford. Injuries to teammates afforded Massey an extended run in the Tigers' first team, and he made 15 appearances during the remainder of the season.
He played in the 2014 Challenge Cup Final defeat by the Leeds Rhinos at Wembley Stadium.
He played in the 2017 Super League Grand Final defeat by the Leeds Rhinos at Old Trafford.
On 30 April 2021, Massey made his 250th Castleford appearance. On 17 July 2021, he played for Castleford in their 2021 Challenge Cup Final loss against St Helens.
Massey made his 300th Castleford appearance on 8 September 2023 in the Tigers' 29–12 victory over Hull FC.

### Featherstone Rovers

On 10 November 2023, it was announced that Massey had signed for Featherstone Rovers for the 2024 season. He had originally agreed terms while Featherstone were anticipating promotion to the Super League, but said he "wanted to commit to the project even though we're still in the Championship".

### International honours

On 4 November 2007, Massey was named as one of ten interchanges for the United States in a 70–0 warm-up game defeat by Cumbria at Barrow's stadium, Craven Park. He has later clarified that he has "no allegiance to America", with the experience coming about through U.S. team manager Mick Robinson being football manager at Castleford. He has had no involvement since, being ineligible under IRL rules.

## Statistics

Appearances and points in all competitions by year :
| Club | Season | Tier | App | T | G | DG | Pts |
| Castleford Tigers | 2007 | National League One | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Castleford Tigers | 2008 | Super League | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Castleford Tigers | 2009 | Super League | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Castleford Tigers | 2010 | Super League | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Castleford Tigers | 2011 | Super League | 15 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Castleford Tigers | 2012 | Super League | 27 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Castleford Tigers | 2013 | Super League | 28 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| Castleford Tigers | 2014 | Super League | 23 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Castleford Tigers | 2015 | Super League | 23 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Castleford Tigers | 2016 | Super League | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Castleford Tigers | 2017 | Super League | 30 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Castleford Tigers | 2018 | Super League | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Castleford Tigers | 2019 | Super League | 27 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Castleford Tigers | 2020 | Super League | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Castleford Tigers | 2021 | Super League | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Castleford Tigers | 2022 | Super League | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Castleford Tigers | 2023 | Super League | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Castleford Tigers | Total | Total | 302 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 52 |
| → York City Knights (loan/DR) | 2008 | National League Two | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| → York City Knights (loan/DR) | 2011 | Championship | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| → York City Knights (loan/DR) | Total | Total | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| → Gateshead Thunder (loan) | 2009 | Championship | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| → Keighley Cougars (DR) | 2010 | Championship 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Featherstone Rovers | 2008 | National League One | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Featherstone Rovers | 2024 | Championship | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Featherstone Rovers | Total | Total | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 336 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 60 |
* ↑ On loan from Castleford in 2008 before joining permanently in 2024