Eddie Battye keen to prove himself as a Super League regular with Wakefield Trinity

EDDIE BATTYE is ready to prove himself at Super League level after signing a three-year deal with Wakefield Trinity.
PERMANENT DEAL: For Eddie Battye at Wakefield Trinity. Picture: Allan McKenzie\SWpix.com.PERMANENT DEAL: For Eddie Battye at Wakefield Trinity. Picture: Allan McKenzie\SWpix.com.
PERMANENT DEAL: For Eddie Battye at Wakefield Trinity. Picture: Allan McKenzie\SWpix.com.

The 29-year-old Yorkshireman got his first taste of the top flight during a fine 2019 campaign with London Broncos.

He joined Wakefield on loan during the 2020 season after London saw their Championship campaign curtailed by Covid-19.

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Battye admits it was a hard decision to leave the capital after almost six years but he is determined to be a regular player at Super League level.

ACTION SHOT: Eddie Battye battles with Kyle Amor of St Helens. Picture: Paul Currie/SWpix.com.ACTION SHOT: Eddie Battye battles with Kyle Amor of St Helens. Picture: Paul Currie/SWpix.com.
ACTION SHOT: Eddie Battye battles with Kyle Amor of St Helens. Picture: Paul Currie/SWpix.com.

“I have been wanting to get back into Super League, it is all I have ever wanted to do,” said the prop forward.

“It has been awesome to move back closer to home and get a three-year deal at Wakefield.

“It is hard leaving London, I have been here for nearly six years. It is a great club and I wish London all the best in the future. I have loved every minute of my time down in the capital.”

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He continued: “I proved myself the year I went up with London and all the time I played in what was the Middle 8s.

“I knew I could play at that level; it was just about getting that chance and getting that break.

“This is where I want to be, any player wants to be at the top level. I want to play week in, week out.”

Battye is looking forward to being cheered on by the Belle Vue faithful when the time comes for supporters to return to stadiums.

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His Trinity debut took place in an empty stadium and like many of his fellow professionals, he admits playing games without fans is not as enjoyable.

He added: “I experienced the Wakefield crowd on the receiving end when I played against them at London. They are a pretty vocal bunch and a pretty loyal bunch.

“I can’t wait for them to get back into the stadium. We are all missing it.

“It is completely different and live sport is not the same without the fans but we will try our best to put on a good show for them while they are not at the games.”

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Battye made eight appearances for Trinity during his loan spell last term, adding to the 29 Super League games he featured in for London during the 2019 campaign.

Wakefield endured some difficult spells during 2020 but picked up form in the latter stages of the campaign.

That gives Battye reasons for optimism as he joins the pre-season preparations.

“It was quite a tough time last year when I came on loan, the Covid situation didn’t help,” he admitted.

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“We managed to turn a bit of a corner towards the back end of the season.

“It was a good environment to be around. I have been keeping in touch with some of the players and I am looking forward to getting stuck into training.”