Why retiring Hull FC star Gareth Ellis is 'forever grateful' to Wakefield Trinity

The 39-year-old forward called time on his glittering career this week having initially decided to retire at the end of 2017.

He came out of retirement to help Hull FC through an injury crisis last year but the quality of his displays encouraged him to continue in 2020.

The Castleford-born player made his professional debut for Wakefield in 1999 and spent six years at Belle Vue.

“When no one gave me a chance Wakefield Trinity gave me an opportunity and the rest is history,” said the forward who made over 100 appearances for Wakefield.

“I am forever grateful to the club and everyone associated with it.”

He moved to Leeds Rhinos in 2005 and then to NRL club Wests Tigers in 2009.

Ellis returned to England with Hull FC in 2013 and made over 200 appearances for the Black and Whites in his two spells with the club.

“Whereas the decision to retire at the end of 2017 was very difficult and one I wrestled with for some time, as you can imagine this time around it was much more straight-forward and something I have alluded to throughout this year’s campaign,” added Ellis.

“With a young family and the advice of the people around me - my dad, staff at the club and coaches - I decided it was now time to hang up the boots for a second time.”