HEADS ON FIRE CONFIRMED FOR 2026

Fan favourite Barcoe pens new one-year extension

We are delighted to confirm that hooker Danny Barcoe has penned a 12-month extension to his contract that will see the popular #9 remain in Birmingham until the end of the 2026 season. We also suspect that he means he will retain his role as the player who leads our beloved “Heads on Fire” winning song for next year.

Fans will remember Danny, 25, first joining the Canes towards the end of the 2023 season as part of then new Head Coach Mark Dunning’s initial recruitment drive to save what had been a disappointing season. Barcoe’s presence was felt fairly swiftly, with the nippy hooker scooting from dummy-half to score on his debut as we went on to demolish Doncaster 41-10 in South Yorkshire. He went on to make four appearances in total that season as further victories over London Skolars and Oldham restored some pride in the Midlands.

Excited by his performances, the Canes would exercise an option in his initial contract that would keep him at The Alexander Stadium until at least the end of 2024. Danny went on to have a barn-storming first full season in Birmingham, playing 23 times and scoring 7 tries as the Canes made their first ever play-off run since joining the professional leagues in 2015. It was therefore no surprise to fans that Danny and the club agreed another extension to his contract in July that saw him committed to the Canes until the end of this season.

Again largely ever-present in a Canes shirt this season, Danny has made 14 appearances and scored two tries in circumstances where he and Aiden Roden - notable for their similar and threatening offerings in attack - have formed a strong partnership. Mr “Heads on Fire” has also found himself slotting into a makeshift half-back role following injuries to Jake Sweeting and Callum McLelland, showing the versatility and utility a player of his quality can bring.

CanesTV spoke with Head Coach Mark Dunning about Danny’s contract extension, who said:

“We’re delighted that Danny has agreed another extension with the club which will see him enter his 4th year as part of the Canes family.

Since Danny joined the club in late 2023 he’s continued to evolve and progress as a player. To know he will continue to do that in 2026 as a Cane is music to the ears of everybody connected with our club and Danny himself. We’re very excited to see what he does in a Canes shirt next year.”

Danny also spoke with CanesTV regarding his delight at extending his contract:

“I’m very pleased to have signed again; it was an easy decision for me to make as I have great support at home and they made my decision even easier! The lads are class and another year together will just makes us stronger! Whilst we’re already breaking records and creating firsts, there’s a lot more memories for us to make for you fans as we progress. Up the Canes: your head’s on fire!.”

Danny joins an ever-increasing list of retention announcements alongside the likes of Tom Wilkinson, Sully Medforth and Elliot Morris. He’s far from our last retention announcement this season however, so keep your eyes peeled for more exciting Canes news!

#DARETODREAM