Hull FC’s former Wigan Warriors forward Chris Tuson has been forced to retire at the age of 26 after failing to recover from a back injury.
The 26-year-old second rower, who was in Wigan’s Tetley’s Challenge Cup-winning team at Wembley last August, joined the Black and Whites at the end of the 2013 campaign but suffered a freak spinal injury during a routine pre-season training session.
He made his Hull debut against Bradford Bulls in March after sitting out the first three games but suffered a recurrence of the injury against Warrington Wolves earlier this month and, after three weeks of tests and specialist consultation, has been forced to hang up his boots to avoid causing any more significant damage.
“I am extremely disappointed to have to finish my playing career in this way but my health and well-being has to come first,” Tuson said.
“I have received first-class support from the medical staff here, the specialists, and of course my family. It was a very difficult decision to make, but it is the right one.
“There were discussions about playing on but I can’t be sure how the injury would react and any wrong move could make it much more serious.”
Tuson will stay on at Hull and take up the role of player welfare officer, as well as becoming assistant coach for the Under 19s.
Hull head coach Lee Radford said: “It is a very sad day for Chris and for the club as he is an influential player both on and off the field and before the injury he was starting to show signs of exactly why we brought him to the club.
“No player deserves their career to end in this way, but after considering all the factors and specialist opinions, it is the right call for Chris and his family.
“He has handled himself admirably over the last couple of weeks, despite such adversity.”
State of Mind would like to wish Chris all the very best for the future