Broncos rookie Herbie Farnsworth quit Manchester United for his love of rugby league
British teenager Herbie Farnworth walked away from a potential multimillion-dollar career at Manchester United to chase his NRL dream with the Brisbane Broncos.
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British teenager Herbie Farnworth has made a stunning sacrifice, walking away from a potential multimillion-dollar career at Manchester United to chase his NRL dream with the Brisbane Broncos.
Such was Farnworth’s athletic talent, the Broncos rookie was signed by British soccer giants Man U as a 10-year-old and was so highly rated their bitter Premier League rivals, Manchester City, tried to poach him.
But in the space of nine years, Farnworth — who played for the Broncos in a trial against Wynnum — has gone from the Red Devils to Red Hill.
It is an extraordinary decision. Money, clearly, is not Farnworth’s motivating force.
Manchester United are one of the most successful and recognised sporting brands in the world. The Red Devils’ player wage bill this year is a staggering $424 million. That’s more than double the National Rugby League’s entire grant of $208m to their 16 clubs.
Man U’s poorest player earns $1.9 million a season, or $36,538 a week. Millions of English kids go to bed dreaming of wearing the famous red shirt.
Not Farnworth. Despite being an elite product of Manchester United’s Junior Academy, the kid from the tiny Lancashire village of Blacko, population 672, only had eyes for rugby league.
Last week in Warwick, he ran out against Souths Logan in the No.1 jumper once worn by Darren Lockyer, the Broncos’ 355-game icon. on Saturday night, he wore the Broncos No.5 jumper made famous by wing legend Wendell Sailor.
“It is a chance of a lifetime to be at a club like the Broncos. It is the biggest club in Australia,” Farnworth said.
“I grew up in a little village up near Manchester and played my footy in Wigan for Wigan St Pat’s and in St Helens for Newton Storm.
“I also played soccer.
“I was with Burnley and then I signed with Man United. I was as a young fella of 10 and 11. I signed there for two years. I’d go to camps and train with them. I was either a centre-midfielder or left wing.
“Then I had talks with (Manchester) City … but I wanted to focus on my rugby league.”
Farnworth, who turns 20 next month, has the genetic gifts to play NRL. He stands around six foot three and is super fit, winning a Broncos 1.2km time trial in pre-season. Farnworth is also quick and a handy kicker, landing five goals in last week’s 42-0 defeat of Souths Logan.
The fullback or winger has been mentored by legendary Wigan development chief Brian Foley, widely regarded as English rugby league’s version of famous Broncos scout Cyril Connell.
Farnworth scored four tries in nine appearances for Brisbane’s feeder club Norths Devils last season and is revelling under the tutelage of Broncos captain and fullback Darius Boyd.
“I look up to ‘Boydy’,” he said. “He’s taken me in and helped me out with my fullback play and talks to me privately. He is clever and doesn’t have any weaknesses in his game. He’s a real class player all-round.
“I’m on a rookie contract this year and then I move up to top 30 squad next year.
“That (a full-time Broncos NRL contract) is the dream. It would be amazing. It is the biggest club in Australia, even the world.”
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