Time is definitely right to retire says rugby league great Gareth Ellis

Final throes: Hull FC's Gareth Ellis in action against his hometown club Castleford Tigers back in September. Picture: Mike Egerton/PA Wire.

The Hull FC forward, 39, officially called time on his glittering career yesterday having initially finished at the end of 2017.

He came out of retirement last year to help the Black and Whites in an injury-crisis and, given the quality of his displays, carried on this term although he had not played since suffering a knee injury in September.

The former Great Britain star said: “Whereas the decision to retire at the end of 2017 was very difficult and one I wrestled with for some time, as you can imagine this time around it was much more straight-forward and something I have alluded to throughout this year’s campaign.

“With a young family and the advice of the people around me - my dad, staff at the club and coaches - I decided it was time to hang up the boots for a second time while continuing to train and focus on helping the team improve for the rest of the season.

“I’m really grateful for the opportunity to come out of retirement - it feels like a more natural end to a 21 year career and a decision I’m much more content with this time around.

“The players kept me young and it was great to be back in the dressing room amongst the lads, something any retired player will tell you they miss the most.

“Having had the opportunity to experience life as a player for the past 18 months, I feel much better prepared for life after rugby.”

Finally done it: Gareth Ellis holds aloft the Challenge Cup with coach Lee Radfrod and Marc Sneyd, right, aftert the Black and Whites had ended a long wait to lift the trophy at Wembley in 2016.
Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe — Finally done it: Gareth Ellis holds aloft the Challenge Cup with coach Lee Radfrod and Marc Sneyd, right, aftert the Black and Whites had ended a long wait to lift the trophy at Wembley in 2016. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

The Yorkshire Post columnist captained Hull to two Challenge Cup successes, also served Wakefield Trinity, Leeds Rhinos and Wests Tigers with distinction and will be remembered as one of the greatest players of his generation.

Ellis had started working on Hull’s coaching staff before ending his retirement to play 28 more games.

He added: “The plan is now to pick up from where I left off in 2018 and take up a coaching role at the club, something I’m really looking forward to.

“I’ll be trying to use my own experience as well as the little nuggets of advice given to me throughout my career that made the biggest impact on how I trained and played in order to be the best I could be.”

Champions: Ellis and captain Kevin Sinfield celebrate after winning the 2008 Grand Final for Leeds Rhinos.

Hull chief executive James Clark added: “I’m sure I speak on behalf of everyone associated with our sport in thanking Gareth for his fantastic contribution to the game of rugby league, on and off the field, over such a long and influential period.

“Gareth has been the consummate professional throughout many years playing at the highest level for both club and country.”

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