6 replies to this topic

[M Hopkins]

Ian Preece has retired for personal/family reasons. He also told me that he didn't think he was good enough last night. I still think he's the best full back in the division and at 28 still has time. At the same time I think we should respect his decision and wish him and his family well for the future.

I was also sat with kris Lythe last night and although he has been offered a contract he told me that it's probably time for him to hang up his boots. He has a baby boy due in early january and he travels to and from Gateshead every day for work. Which as you can imagine with training wouldn't leave a lot of time for family. Kris has played an amazing 231 times for batley over 11 years. I for one think this is a great achievement and it says a lot about Batley and Kris.

Good luck for the future Kris and Ian I hope to see you both at the mount supporting the boys. And I'm sure I won't be the only one whod buy you both a drink.

[HaroldShand]

Both have been great servants to the club. Preece was, at his best, one of the safest full-backs we've had at Batley, and Lythes was a real stalwart. In the case of Preece, I think his decision to retire might be slightly premature, but obviously he's got his reasons. Good luck to them both in their future activities.

[BatleyFanAndy]

Gutted to see them both retire.

All the best lads!

[vitocorleone]

Both have been great servants to the club. Preece was, at his best, one of the safest full-backs we've had at Batley, and Lythes was a real stalwart. In the case of Preece, I think his decision to retire might be slightly premature, but obviously he's got his reasons. Good luck to them both in their future activities.

Who could forget that try he scored against Leigh in the play offs 10 years ago, nearly to the day. The team photo celebration, great memories.

Thankyou to both players, who have been tremendous servants to Batley RLFC and Rugby League in general.

Edited by vitocorleone, 22 September 2012 - 12:13 PM.

[beestondog]

Thanks to you both lads, good luck for the future.

[Piggy's mate]

Two excellent players for Batley and gutted that Preece has retired one of my favorite players.

[Nick07]

Echo those sentiments.

Kris has been a great servant for over 10 years and given his all every time he's pulled on the shirt. One of the best tacklers technically I've seen at the Mount, especially in his younger days.

Shame about Preece as I still think he's one of the best full backs in the division, even after a relatively average season by his high standards. He must have his reasons though and been thinking about it for a while, especially for us to sign Greenwood at an early stage. Can't fault Ian at all and got to respect his decision.

Thanks to both of them and good luck to Ian and Kris in their future endeavours.