Graham confirms pending retirement

[josie andrews]

James Graham will call time on his long and illustrious career at the end of the current Super League campaign.

The Club signed Graham on a one-year-deal back in June of this year and as the 2020 season reaches its conclusion, Graham has today announced it will be, as expected, his last.

Graham, 35, joined the Saints Academy at the age of 11 and progressed through the ranks, making 225 appearances and scoring 53 tries.

In total Graham collected a Super League Grand Final ring, three Challenge Cup winners medals and captained the Red Vee in 2011 before moving to the Canterbury Bulldogs in the NRL.

Graham also called time on his International career last month having played 53 times for England and Great Britain in a peerless career.

On his career retirement, Graham said: “Playing for St Helens and over in the NRL has been an absolute honour. I am gutted this season will be my final one as a player, but I came to Saints saying I would have one last all in push for this season and nothing has changed there.

Finishing my career at my boyhood Club was an opportunity that I couldn’t resist. Unfortunately, I am gutted we have not been able to play in front of our fans as I know they feel every pass, every tackle and every run. I have even missed the opposition fans who would give me a piece of their mind!

“Now that all has been said, the season has not finished yet and my intention now is completing the job I came here to do with St Helens. We are going to take things a game at a time, moment by moment and give ourselves the best possible opportunity to finish the job.”

Head Coach Kristian Woolf added: “James has had an outstanding career and he has achieved a hell of a lot of accolades which he deserves through the hard work he puts in. Since day one of coming into our group he has been a huge influence on all the players, in particularly the young ones. The way he trains, prepares and plays and his intensity means there is no better example for our young blokes.

“Personally he has been great to work with too. He is such a good bloke and professional and we can’t wait to continue having James as part of our side for the rest of the year and we will make every effort to make sure he finishes the season as successful as he can.”

https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/graham-c ... ent-34562/

[pearsy]

One or two Wigan players should follow his lead

[Levrier]

You can see why after tonight's performance. He looks a shadow of his former self. Even so I would hate for him to be lost to the game.

[jaws1]

You can see why after tonight's performance. He looks a shadow of his former self. Even so I would hate for him to be lost to the game.

He did say in his interview pre match that he would like to move into coaching hinted that it would be in Sydney as that was his chosen home. Said there were a few irons in the fire.