Forber: It’s crazy
Tom Forber has reflected on a whirlwind season including a championship loan, a lengthy injury and lifting the betfred super league trophy.
The Warrington-born hooker, who progressed through the junior ranks at Rylands Sharks and Blackbrook Royals before signing his first Warriors contract at 16, finished a remarkable season with a League Leaders’ medal and a Super League ring to his name.
The 21-year-old ended the campaign as one of four players – alongside Jacob Douglas – to maintain a perfect record from Super League involvements in 2024, closed with an interchange appearance in the Grand Final at Old Trafford.
After successive outings against Huddersfield Giants and London Broncos to start the season, Forber joined Barrow Raiders on loan at the end of March for game time following the return of Kruise Leeming from an injury sustained in the Betfred World Club Challenge.
“An opportunity came at Barrow which meant I could get minutes in whilst gaining the experience to help me develop,” said Forber who has also spent time at Oldham, Newcastle Thunder, Whitehaven, Wakefield Trinity and Widnes Vikings throughout his career.
“I’m grateful for my time at all clubs as you take in many perspectives from different coaches and players. I’ll always remember living in Newcastle when I was 17 and being dead nervous as I’d only played three games outside of Academy rugby. The step up was a real challenge but Denis Betts was the head coach at the time and his support towards my development was massive.”
After a syndesmosis injury cut short an enjoyable period at Barrow in May, Forber returned from a three month absence in a Reserves win over Leeds Rhinos.
“I had a chat with Matt [Peet] and we decided it would be best to play with the Reserves which was the exact boost I needed,” Forber said.
“The next week at training I was told I’d be in against St Helens at Magic Weekend, and I remember being dead excited to get home and tell my family, but also being dead worried about performing well. Matt told me to focus on nailing defence and distribution which gave me a simple focus. My aim in that game was to go out not let anyone down.”
After scoring his first senior try in a Round 24 win at Catalans Dragons, Forber helped the Warriors to victories over Hull KR, Leeds Rhinos and Salford Red Devils to secure back-to-back League Leaders’ Shield before a play-off semi-final victory over Leigh Leopards confirmed a consecutive visit to Old Trafford.
“I wasn’t sure if I’d be picked with coming back from injury and my little experience, but I found out I would be after our first session that week,” Forber said.
“Matt just explained how he had full confidence in me. He’s very honest and he doesn’t say anything he doesn’t mean. I’ve seen his passion for the Club and the town since he was Head of Youth when I was in the Scholars, so all his support added motivation to not let him down.
“I was buzzing when I got the nod to go on,” he said. “Playing in an Old Trafford Grand Final is everyone’s dream and the whole experience was surreal – you’re filled with adrenaline the whole time so I was mainly trying to stay calm so I wouldn’t crash.”
“From starting pre-season as an unused sub at Wakefield when the lights went out, to having my time in the Championship cut short through injury, it doesn’t feel real being sat here as a Super League champion – it’s crazy.”
Forber is due to start pre-season later this month as preparations for the 2025 campaign begin.
“I just want to approach next season in the same way I did this year,” he said. “I’ll come in looking to train as hard as I can so that I keep developing as a player and a person. We’ve got a strong group who buys in to everything together – I’m looking forward to what’s to come.”
Join the Grand Slam winners next season by securing your 2025 membership HERE.
