Flower leaves Wigan

[josie andrews]

Wigan Warriors can confirm that prop forward Ben Flower has left the Club.

After nine seasons with the Cherry and Whites, Flower will join up with Betfred Championship side Leigh Centurions in 2021.

Since joining Wigan in 2012, the Welshman has played 184 games and won seven major trophies, including the 2017 World Club Challenge title.

The 33-year-old was part of the three Super League Grand Final victories over Warrington Wolves in 2013, 2016 and 2018, and is also a Challenge Cup and two-time League Leaders’ Shield winner.

Wigan Warriors executive director, Kris Radlinski, said: “We would like to wish Ben Flower the very best of luck for his next career move.

“Ben has been pivotal to the Club’s success over the last decade being a dominant voice on both the playing field and in the training environment.

“It is a very shrewd move by Leigh as he is exactly the type of character that you need to build a culture around.

“He will always be made to feel welcome whenever he comes back to see us at Wigan.”

On his departure, Flower said: “I’ve had unreal memories over the nine years I’ve been here. It’s been awesome.

“I want to thank the fans for everything they’ve done for me over the years. They took me in from when I first joined the Club in 2012. The well wishes I’ve received over the years are very much appreciated. They’ve been awesome to me.

“I’ll always be a Wigan fan and I’ll always come down and see all the fans whenever I can.”

Everyone at Wigan Warriors would like to thank Ben for his efforts during his time at the Club and wish him well in the next stage of his career.

https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2020/11/ ... ves-wigan/

[6742hitch]

Anyone know why this has happened (apart from out of contact), he is one of our best forwards yet we’re keeping Clubb and Burgess, happily swap both of them for him?

[nathan_rugby]

Anyone know why this has happened (apart from out of contact), he is one of our best forwards yet we’re keeping Clubb and Burgess, happily swap both of them for him?

How do we swap them both for him? They’re under contract.

Are you aware of clubs interested in them?

[6742hitch]

I guess you don’t know why he’s gone then eh?

You missed the point...he is one of the top 3 props in our team, whereas Burgess and Clubb, reading people’s opinions on them, they’re the ones who we don’t need, I know they’re under contract still, Clubb with 1 year left, but workload from Flower overshadows both those by a mile!!

[Southern Softy]

I'd like to wish him well . Never gave less than 100% and had good ball-handling skills. Hope he stays fit he enjoys the remainder of his career.

[nathan_rugby]

I guess you don’t know why he’s gone then eh?

You missed the point...he is one of the top 3 props in our team, whereas Burgess and Clubb, reading people’s opinions on them, they’re the ones who we don’t need, I know they’re under contract still, Clubb with 1 year left, but workload from Flower overshadows both those by a mile!!

I am aware that he is in our top 3 props. But the fact remains, he was out of contract and Burgess and Clubb are under contract and we are bound by the salary cap.

What exactly are you proposing?

[6742hitch]

I’m not proposing anything..I just said I’d happily swap him for those two...

A bit different when some wanted Wane, Powell out, did you pressure them into answering what alternative would be?

[nathan_rugby]

I’m not proposing anything..I just said I’d happily swap him for those two...

A bit different when some wanted Wane, Powell out, did you pressure them into answering what alternative would be?

I was just trying to understand whether it was a:

"I wish we were keeping flower over Burgess and Clubb"

OR

"The club should keep Flower and get rid of Burgess and Clubb"

[CheshireWarrior]

Best of luck Benny! Hopefully he shall rip it up in the championship!

[6742hitch]

In an ideal world I would like to do either..I was just asking if it was purely an out of contract and age not on his side thing or something within the club, as I’d prefer him to have stayed, as Burgess (regardless of injury) has shown nothing yet and Clubb is more ‘past it’ than Lockers was. I realise contracts are still running but would have him in the squad over them two any day.