Adam Milner, also known by the nickname of "Adz", is an English rugby league footballer who plays as a or for the Castleford Tigers in the Super League. He has represented England at international level. He has played his entire professional club career with Castleford, and only club captain Michael Shenton has made more appearances for the Tigers than him in the current squad.
Milner played as a youngster for Stanley Rangers. Having come through the Tigers' academy system, he made his Super League début against Huddersfield Giants on Sunday 4 July 2010. Milner scored his first try for Castleford against on 21 August 2010. He followed up his début try with another one in the following league game against St. Helens, in the last match at Knowsley Road. He made 4 appearances and scored 2 tries in his first season. Prior to the 2011 season, Milner was given the number 16 shirt, with Castleford head coachTerry Matterson saying "I think he's going to get plenty of first team footy this year." He made 22 appearances and scored 4 tries. At the end of the season, he signed a new three-year deal with the Tigers. Having firmly established himself in Castleford's first team, Milner made 21 appearances and scored 3 tries in the 2012 season. 2013 was Milner's highest scoring season yet for Castleford, with 7 tries in 23 appearances. In August, he signed a two-year contract extension until the end of 2016, saying, "As soon as I got the contract offer I didn't think twice about signing it." Head coach Daryl Powell said, "both his attacking game and his toughness in defence are developing every week and I know he will continue to work hard to achieve his undoubted potential." Milner was awarded for his consistent performances at hooker with squad number 9 for the 2014 season. He made a further 25 appearances and scored 3 tries to help Castleford to a 4th placed finish in Super League. He played in all but 3 of the Tigers' matches in 2015, playing more minutes and taking a larger role in the team following the departure of Man of Steel winning hooker Daryl Clark to Warrington at the end of the previous season. He made 28 appearances and scored 3 tries. In February 2016, Milner signed a two-year contract extension, keeping him with the Tigers until the end of 2018. He was ever-present throughout Castleford's injury-struck 2016 season, appearing in all 32 matches. He mostly played as a hooker, but switched position to loose forward towards the end of the campaign due to mounting injuries in the squad. At the club's end-of-season awards night, Milner was named Directors' Player of the Year and 2nd place Player of the Year. For the 2017 campaign, Milner was assigned squad number 13, indicating his switch in position to loose forward. He played a crucial role in Castleford's play-off semi-final golden point victory over St. Helens - just minutes after making a try-saving tackle on Tommy Makinson, he burrowed his way over the line for a try under the sticks. He was voted as the Fans' Man of the Match for his efforts. He also played in the 2017 Super League Grand Final defeat by the Leeds Rhinos at Old Trafford. Milner kicked the first goal of his career on Castleford's visit to the Warrington Wolves on 8 June 2018, in the absence of the Tigers' first choice 5 kickers. In July 2018, Milner signed a new three-year contract with the Tigers, keeping him at the club until the end of 2021. This was despite a number of NRL clubs declaring an interest in him as a result of his impressive form. Castleford director of rugby Jon Wells said: "I think it sends a clear and bold statement about our ambitions as a club and I am delighted that Adam will now move into the best years of his career as a Castleford Tiger." It was Milner's try from dummy half against the Wigan Warriors on 5 April 2019 that completed the Tigers' comeback from a 20-point deficit, in a game they went on to win. He opened the scoring in Castleford's Elimination final victory over the Warrington Wolves in the play-offs, touching down a deft Paul McShane kick. In this year, he made 28 appearances and scored 3 tries. Going into the 2020 season, Milner said he felt "fitter, faster and stronger" and talked of his desire to further improve his performances. He scored against the Toronto Wolfpack in Castleford's first match of the campaign.
International career
Milner represented England Schools U16s on their tour of France in Easter 2008. He played as a hooker in the 26-24 defeat by France U16s in Tonneins, scoring the first try of the series and receiving a Man of the Match award. He played as a hooker in the 36-8 victory over France U16s. Milner captained the England Academy in 2010. He represented England Academy as a hooker in the 40-16 victory over France U18s at the Stade Max Rousié on 9 June 2010, and scored a try. He played as a hooker in the 38-30 victory over Australian Institute of Sport at the Leigh Sports Village on 4 December 2010, and the 34-22 victory over Australian Institute of Sport at Leigh Sports Village on 11 December 2010. In July 2018, Milner was called up to the England Elite Performance Squad for the second phase of the season, in the build up towards the InternationalTest Series against New Zealand later in the year. He made his senior international début on 17 October 2018 in England's 44-6 victory against France at the Leigh Sports Village. He represented England in their 20-14 victory over New Zealand at Anfield on 4 November 2018, and in their 0-34 loss to New Zealand at Elland Road on 11 November 2018 in their three-match test series.
