[4][5] Wigan-born Gareth Charnock joined Wigan's scholarship scheme from St Jude's, a local amateur team.

Gareth made his first team début that season against Doncaster in the Challenge Cup, scoring two tries after coming on as a substitute.

Hock played for the Wigan Warriors from the interchange bench in the 2003 Super League Grand Final which was lost to Bradford Bulls.

His playing career took a turn for the worse when he picked up a medial cruciate ligament (MCL) knee injury against the Bradford Bulls on 25 February 2005.

On 19 May 2006 Hock made his long-awaited return to rugby league in the Wigan Warriors' Rugby League Challenge Cup match against the Salford City Reds which the Wigan Warriors lost 4–16, despite being on the losing team Hock made an impressive return.

Since his return from his ban, he was a consistent member of the Wigan first team, gaining the number 12 jersey in the 2012 season (following the departure of Joel Tomkins to Saracens RUFC).

[17] After a possible move to NRL side Parramatta Eels fell through,[18] on 5 September 2013 Salford announced he would be signing for them for the 2014 Super League season on a 4-year deal.

[19] On 22 October 2013, England Rugby League issued the following statement: "As a result of serious breaches of team discipline that have fallen below the strict code of conduct as agreed by team management, Gareth Hock has been withdrawn from the England Rugby League World Cup squad with immediate effect.

[24] In March 2023, Hock appeared at Bolton Crown court after being charged with ten offences including assault by beating, coercive, controlling behaviour and perverting the course of justice.

Hock was bailed under specific conditions that included surrendering his passport, wearing a GPS tracking tag and sleeping every night at his home address.