Warrington Wolves stand-off Lee Briers has announced his retirement with immediate effect at the age of 35.
The former Wales international, who is the Wolves’ record points-scorer, was under contract with his club for 2014 but has been forced on medical advice to hang up his boots due to a neck injury. “I feel privileged to have played for so long,” Briers said. “Unfortunately it has come to an end but it was going to one day and the doctor took that out of my hands.
“I’m sad but I’ve got good things to look forward to now with the coaching, my next chapter. “It is something I have always wanted to focus on and now I have the opportunity to do that. “I would have liked an extra year playing but I now hope to help find the next superstars of Warrington Wolves.”
Briers, who began his career at hometown club St Helens before joining Warrington in 1997, amassed a total of 2,586 points from 425 appearances for the club and won the Lance Todd Trophy as man of the match in the Wolves’ Challenge Cup win over Leeds Rhinos in 2010.
He recently joined Warrington’s backroom staff and has been an assistant to Wales head coach Iestyn Harris in the World Cup.
Warrington coach Tony Smith said: “On behalf of the Warrington club, its supporters and rugby league fans, I’d like to thank Lee for his contributions to the game.
“He has brought enormous enjoyment and pleasure to those who have witnessed his skills.
“I have personally enjoyed watching Lee develop both as a player and a person and look forward to working with him in the next chapter of his career.”
State of Mind would like to wish lee all the very best in his new career and thanks fro all the great memories!!