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Rugby League

Injury forces Saints forward Bennett to quit

01/09/2008

St Helens forward Mike Bennett has been forced to announce his retirement from rugby league at the end of the season, aged 28, due to injury problems.

Bennett picked up a shoulder injury in his side's 16-8 victory at Hull FC back in May, which was expected to keep him out for most of the season.

The 13-year Saints veteran battled back to full fitness but has been told he runs the risk of re-injuring the joint in the future if he continues to play at the highest level.

And as a result, the former Golbourne Parkside player, who has scored 16 tries in 160 appearances for the Knowsley Road outfit, has decided to hang up his boots when the 2008 campaign is over.

"Due to my recent injury and after great thought I have decided to retire from playing rugby league," he said.

"Although I have received offers to continue playing, the specialist cannot guarantee a similar injury would not re-occur again in the future.

"After already injuring the shoulder on previous occasions I don't want to get to the stage where the shoulder is hampering my everyday life.

"My wife Lisa is expecting our first child in October and although I would love to continue playing, I have to do what's right for myself and my family."

Bennett confirmed he would be starting work at Cowley Language College in St Helens once his playing career was over, although he will remain involved with the club as an ambassador.

"I am very excited at the prospect of planning and enjoying my testimonial year, which is due to start in January 2010," he continued.

"I have loved every minute of my playing career at St Helens and would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped me get to where I am today.

"Above all, I would like to thank the fans for their superb support over the years."

Saints' chief executive Tony Colquitt paid tribute to Bennett, who scored the club's controversial try in their Grand Final victory over Bradford Bulls in 2002.

"Mike has been a great servant to the club and he is a total credit to the game of rugby league," Colquitt explained.

"When he played you were always guaranteed 100 per cent and that was epitomised when in the 2002 Grand Final he played on to score his try when everyone assumed the referee would blow.

"It's that combination of brains and determination that perfectly sums him up.

"We do not want to lose someone of his calibre at Saints and as a result, he will be involved in the future as an ambassador for the club."