Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | (1984-12-10)10 December 1984 (age 40) Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 17 st 6 lb (111 kg) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Prop, Second-row, Loose forward | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Coaching information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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As of 5 October 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mark Applegarth (born 10 December 1984), also known by thenickname of"Mash", is an English former professionalrugby league footballer who played during the 2000s and 2010s. He played at club level for theWakefield Trinity Wildcats, theYork City Knights (two spells), theCentral Queensland Comets and theBatley Bulldogs, as aprop, second-row, orloose forward.[1][2]
He is head-coach ofYork Knights in theRFL Championship, followingAndrew Henderson's move to become Head of Rugby operations and development.
Applegarth was born in Newton Hill,Wakefield,West Yorkshire, England. As of 2020, he lives in the Wakefield area with his wife Jessica, they were married at Sandburn Hall,Flaxton,York during 2018.
He represented the Great Britain Schoolboys against theAustralian Schoolboys during 2002.[citation needed] Applegarth came through the ranks at Wakefield Trinity Wildcats and made his début as an 18-year-old. Upon leaving Wakefield Trinity Wildcats due to injuries, he joined the York City Knights. He was released from his contract with the York City Knights during June 2010 to pursue a career in Australia. After a brief stint with the Temora Dragons in New South Wales, Applegarth played for theCentral Queensland Comets based inRockhampton in theQueensland Cup competition. During 2012, Applegarth signed for theBatley Bulldogs under his former Wakefield Trinity Wildcats coachJohn Kear. During 2014, after another serious knee-injury, Applegarth re-signed for the York City Knights to become their player/assistant coach. He retired from playing during 2016 and as of 2019, he was the Head of Youth atWakefield Trinity.[citation needed]
Applegarth was appointed head coach following the sacking ofWillie Poching at the end of the2022 Super League season. In round 15 of the 2023 Super League season, Applegarth earned his first win as Wakefield Trinity head coach defeatingLeeds 24-14. Wakefield had lost their opening 14 matches of the campaign.[3]At the conclusion of theSuper League XXVIII season Wakefield Trinity finished bottom of the table and were relegated to theRFL Championship which ended their 24-year stay in the top flight. Applegarth was subsequently relieved of his duties and replaced withDaryl Powell.[4]
On 5 June 2024, it was reported that he would take over the head coach role fromAndrew Henderson atYork Knights in theRFL Championship.[5]On 7 June 2025, Applegarth guided York to their 1895 Cup final victory overFeatherstone. In the 2025 RFL season, Applegarth guided York to first place on the table and eventual grand final where they would lose narrowly toToulouse Olympique.[6]