Joe Rafferty

Rotherham United's captain for 2025–26 spent years learning his trade before he ever left League Two territory. Released by Liverpool, where he had captained the Under-18 side, Joe Rafferty joined Rochdale as a free agent in 2012, making 214 league appearances. He was part of the side that won the League Two title in 2013–14, and by 2016–17 he had been voted both Rochdale's Player of the Year and the supporters' club's own choice for the same honour. He also went through Rochdale's run to the FA Cup Fifth Round and the relegation scrap that followed it in the same season, an experience fans there still refer to as the "Great Escape".

Rafferty was a key part of the Portsmouth squad that won the League One title in 2023–24 and went up to the Championship.

He joined Rotherham United on a free two-year deal in May 2024. He passed 400 professional appearances during the 2025–26 season. That consistency was recognised when he was named club captain for the campaign, and he underlined his commitment to the Millers by activating a contract extension the same May.