George Ford’s first words on new Sale Sharks contract as England star ‘proud to represent the region’
Sale Sharks fly-half George Ford (left) has put pen to paper on a new deal with the club.
England fly-half George Ford has committed his long-term future to PREM side Sale Sharks, putting pen to paper on a three-year deal to remain in the North West.
The Test centurion, who captained Steve Borthwick’s side to an unbeaten tour of the Americas in July, joined the Sharks ahead of the 2022/23 season and has since made 44 appearances for the club.
Ford has hit the ground running in the early stages of the new PREM season, firing Sale to two wins from their opening three games, while also pushing his case to start for England in the upcoming Autumn Nations Series.
‘As a team we want to take the next step and I’m more determined than ever to help us do that’
News of his new long-term deal with the Sharks follows reports from the Daily Mail that the 32-year-old rejected an offer to join the breakaway R360 competition as well as lucrative Top 14 deals, but the pull of representing the north of England was too much for Ford to turn down.
“It’s brilliant to have the contract agreed,” he said on the new deal. “I’ve really enjoyed my time here and I’ve loved representing the north. The importance of that isn’t lost on me. I drive from Saddleworth to Carrington every day, and I can see the city in the distance and it makes me incredibly proud.
“I’m proud to represent the region and the people up here, and I want to inspire the next generation. You see so many kids up here who are passionate about playing rugby, and I want us to be a team who inspire those kids to want to do what we’re lucky enough to do.
“With the players and the coaches that we have here, I feel like I can still improve and be challenged as a player. I feel the best place for me to do that is right here.
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“As a team, we want to take the next step, and I’m more determined than ever to help us do that. The ambition from the club is obvious and I know we’re going to achieve great things in the future, but we’re at our best when we focus on the next game.
“I want to keep playing well for Sale Sharks and I want to keep influencing the team as much as I can. That comes first. I love playing for my country but I know that I only get that opportunity if I’m playing consistently well for Sale. So that’s my focus.
“You don’t make a decision like this just on rugby, there’s loads more to consider. My wife is running four restaurants as well as being a full-time mum and to be around to help and support her in any way I can is so important to me. That’s played a big part in us being so settled and happy here.”
He also becomes the latest England half-back to commit their future to the PREM, with Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith recently penning new deals with Northampton Saints.
Also commenting, Sharks director of rugby, Alex Sanderson, added: “George is in the form of his life and he’s a player we’ve built a team around. He’s the sort of player who attracts top-quality players to want to play for the club because they all want to learn from him.
“He’s one of the first people I speak to post-game and confide in ahead of the challenge of responding to a win or a loss, because of the way he sees the game. As much as he inspires the players, he inspires the coaches too.
“This shows the vision and the ambition of a club that’s wanting to lay down a real foundation for the future. It shows what we’re all about.
“George could have his pick of any club in the world and he chooses Sale Sharks and that’s big testament to us and what we’re building.”
