Former Leigh Leopards pair, Martyn Ridyard and Gregg McNally, have both announced their retirement from the game after both enjoying successful 17-year careers.
The two currently play for League 1 side, Rochdale Hornets, and have played alongside each other for most of their careers.
After impressing in the amateur ranks at Leigh Miners Rangers, Ridyard joined the then Leigh Centurions in 2009, and made an immediate impact, scoring four tries in his first five matches.
McNally burst onto the scene, scoring a hat-trick in front of the Sky Sports cameras in 2008, aged 17, as Whitehaven beat Salford in the National League One. He joined Ridyard at the Leopards in 2012, moving from Huddersfield Giants.
The pair would both stay with the Leopards until 2017, with Ridyard accumulating over 200 appearances for the club and was named the Championship Player of the Year in 2014. McNally had an impressive five-year stint, scoring 94 tries in 147 Leigh appearances.
The both went their separate ways in 2018, with Ridyard moving to Featherstone in 2018, and McNally also moving to West Yorkshire, but to Bradford Bulls.
A return to Leigh came in 2019, as they reunited for a second stint at the Leigh Sports Village. Ridyard became the third highest points scorer in the Leopards history, with over 2,000 points to his name.
Joining forces again at Oldham in 2023, the two moved to current club Rochdale ahead of the 2024 season, and have now decided to end their careers at the same time, pulling the curtain on an incredible partnership and two illustrious rugby league careers.
Former Leigh Leopards men admit retirement was “not an easy decision”
Speaking on the decision to retire, Ridyard admitted it has been a tough choice, but one he knew he had to make.
He said: “It’s not been an easy decision and I’ve had plenty of chats with my wife over the past 12 months. A couple of serious injuries have probably taken their toll, as it does with age, but I’m content with everything. To play one professional game, I’m really happy to achieve that, so to get as many as I did is overwhelming.”
“I want to thank everyone from top to bottom. I’ve met some absolute gems at every club I’ve been involved with – people who are the heart and soul of rugby league. It has been a tough decision, but good things do come to an end and I think it’s time for somebody younger to step into my shoes.”
“There’s no easy way to say it, and I’ve thought about it a million times in my head, but after 17 rollercoaster years, I wouldn’t change anything,” he said.
McNally also commented on his retirement, saying how much he has loved his time as a player.
He said: “I’ve really enjoyed the highs and the lows – they’ve shaped who I am as a person. I want to say thanks to all the clubs and all the fans who have taken me in and treated me so well.
“It’s the right time, age-wise, I think. We’ll have one last dance this weekend and enjoy the occasion. No doubt it’ll be very emotional, but I can’t wait to see you at the Crown Oil Arena for one final time.”
Sunday’s game will be the final of the two’s career. It will also mark McNally’s 350th career appearance. Rochdale have announced a brilliant gesture of goodwill to fans of Leigh Leopards, the club the pair represented over 400 times combined. They will be able to watch the final game of the 39-year-old’s career for a discounted price of £10, in what will be a special moment for Ridyard, McNally and their families.
