Stefan Ratchford has taken to social media after confirming his decision to call time on his playing career.
The Warrington Wolves man played his final professional game last month against Hull FC, with injury ruling him out of the Wolves’ last game of the year against Hull KR.
Ultimately, with Warrington’s season going pear-shaped, his career didn’t end how he would’ve wanted, but Ratchford can be more than proud of what he achieved over his 19-year career.
Over the course of his time in the senior game he made 467 club appearances and scored 135 tries. He also managed to collect six England caps and win the Challenge Cup on two occasions.
Ratchford started his career at Salford Red Devils and spent five years with the club as a youngster before the making the move across to the Halliwell Jones Stadium to link up with Warrington in 2012.
He played 359 games in primrose and blue and since 1980 just three players have managed to play more times for the club. Lee Briers (947) is the only man to score more than his 650 points too in the last 45 years. He is 15th in the club’s list of all-time appearance makers.
And, taking to Instagram this week, Ratchford has posted an emotional message to draw a line under his time as a player.
Warrington Wolves’ Stefan Ratchford writes retirement message
He wrote: “Well here goes.
“From being told at 12/13 years old that I won’t be big enough or good enough to play first team, to play 470+ games isn’t a bad effort!
“I’ve been lucky enough to go places all over the world playing this game with some of my best mates. Had some good times, had some bad times but certainly got memories for life… & a broken body .
“Thank you to my family & friends for riding this rollercoaster with me, the clubs for the opportunity, my teammates/coaches/back room staff for all your help, opponents for making me better, sponsors for looking after me & fans for your support (& abuse).
“Friends for life, Memories for life, RL you’ve been a blast.”
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