CRAVEN IS A CANE UNTIL 2027

Veteran half-back joins on two year deal

We are delighted to confirm that seasoned half-back Danny Craven will join the club until the end of the 2027 season following the expiry of his contract at Sheffield Eagles.

Danny, 33, has almost 270 professional appearances to his name with the vast majority occurring during his lengthy stay at Widnes Vikings at both Super League and Championship level. Coming through the youth system at the Vikings, he made his debut from the bench at just 18 years old towards the end of the 2010 Championship season, as he featured during Widnes’ 4-40 away win over Whitehaven at The Recreation Ground. He went on to make 8 appearances and score five tries during his first professional season, in which the Vikings made the Championship playoffs before falling short against Barrow Raiders.

Over the course of 14 seasons Danny made 188 appearances, scoring 69 tries and kicking 43 goals. Outside of a handful of dual-registration appearances at Workington (2013) and Whitehaven (2015) respectively - as well as a short loan spell at Halifax (2015) coupled with a season-long loan at Featherstone (2016) - he was a regular feature in the Vikings squad. His time at Widnes saw him part of the squad that helped the Vikings secure a Super League licence for the 2012-2014 seasons during the franchising era, part of the squad that battled it out in the Super 8s (2014 and 2016) and Middle 8s (2015 and 2017) respectively, and part of the Viking’s consolidation in the seasons that followed their relegation to the Championship and ultimately entering administration.

After the conclusion of the 2023 season, Danny signed a two-year deal with then-League One club Oldham on a two-year deal and was instrumental in the Greater Manchester side’s automatic promotion to the Championship at the end of a 2024 campaign that saw him score 11 tries, seven goals and a drop-goal in 22 appearances. He would also go on to make 12 appearances for the Roughyeds during the 2025 season, scoring four tries and kicking one drop-goal before departing as part of a permanent swap deal with fellow Championship side Sheffield Eagles in early July.

Linking up with the Eagles for the remainder of the 2025 season, his debut ironically saw him return to Boundary Park as he scored Sheffield’s first try against former club Oldham. He went on to make nine appearances in total for the Eagles, scoring two tries and kicking a goal before departing the club at the end of the regular season.

Danny will now link up with Head Coach Mark Dunning, Assistant Coach Leigh Beattie and the rest of the Hurricanes squad as we venture into the Betfred Championship for the very first time.

Prior to his announcement, CanesTV spoke with Danny on his decision to join the Midlands Hurricanes for the 2026 and 2027 seasons:

“After meeting with Mark and talking through how he sees my role in the team as someone there to bring in some experience to a young side, I can safely say this is a role that I’m relishing. 

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Sheffield and left the club on great terms, but now I’m looking forward to getting my teeth into a new challenge in a new environment. 

I can’t wait to get in and meet the coaches, staff and players and hopefully have a big 2026 on the field in front of the Hurricanes faithful!”

CanesTV also spoke with Head Coach Mark Dunning on landing Craven:

“We’re delighted to welcome Danny and his family to the club as they all become part of the Canes family.

When I met up with Danny it was clear he was excited about joining the journey that we’re on as a club and that he would add value.

He’s been there, seen it and done it at both Half back and full back and his game management is something that we lacked at times this season.

Danny also possesses a very strong kicking and running game which along with his experience is another exciting addition to our spine and one I’m sure Canes fans will be looking forward to seeing in 2026.”

Danny is just our second new signing announcement for 2026, following the exciting news of the club signing prolific former Rochdale half-back Lewis Else last Wednesday. We’re far from finished, so keep your eyes peeled for a whole host of new signing and retention news in addition to season tickets and a first glimpse of our 2026 home and away kits in collaboration with new kit-makers Paladin Sports!

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