Swinton Lions have confirmed that Mick Nanyn, one of the most prolific points scorers in the history of the game, has retired with immediate effect.
Wigan-born Nanyn made his senior debut for Swinton as a teenager in the 1999 season when the club was based at Gigg Lane (having been guided by John Prince through the Lions’ academy). He soon established himself as a talented centre and a reliable goal-kicker over the next three seasons. He then joined Rochdale Hornets in 2003 and subsequently played for Whitehaven, Widnes, Oldham and Leigh, although injury prevented him from appearing for Halifax in 2012.
The following season in 2013, Nanyn returned to the Lions where his career began, and was able to use all his experience to help the current players at the club.
Over the course of his career, he would also write his name into the record books as the 6th highest all-time points scorer in the 120-year history of the sport.
Nanyn is now placed 11th on Swinton’s all-time kicking list, and 8th on their all-time points scoring list. Furthermore, only 4 other Swinton players, namely Jim Valentine, Albert Blan, Ken Gowers and Ken Jones, have scored at least 50 tries and 100 goals in their Lions’ career.
“It was an extremely difficult decision for me to make, and one that I thought long and hard about,” Nanyn said.
“But once I realised that my body couldn’t do what my head wanted it to, I knew it was the right time for me to end my playing career. I hope to use my experience to help promote the game to the next generation. I am honoured to have had the opportunity to play for many great clubs throughout my professional career, but to be able to finish by playing for Swinton where it all began many years ago is exceptionally special.”
“We are gutted to be losing Mick’s services, but he has expressed his views for retiring on personal grounds which we totally respect,” said Swinton coach John Duffy. “We have had a lengthy chat and agreed to Mick stepping down from his playing duties with immediate effect.
“I would personally like to thank Mick for his commitment and leadership over the last 6 months and to congratulate him on his outstanding career, during which I had the pleasure of playing alongside him. We have decided to offer Mick a role on our staff due to his qualities as a person and his outstanding knowledge of the game, and we hope he accepts. But in the meantime on behalf of all the players and staff and officials, we wish Mick and his family all the very best for the future.”
MICK NANYN Record For All Clubs 1999-2015
CLUB……….SEASONS…….APPS…….TRIES…….GOALS…….POINTS
Swinton…….1999-02……….82………..40………..152………..464
Rochdale H……2003………..32………..26………..123………..350
Whitehaven…2004-05………56………..59………..234………..704
Widnes……..2006-07……….55………..58………..295………..822
Oldham……..2008-09……….32………..21………..139………..362
Leigh………..2009-11……….66………..55………..267………..754
Halifax…………2012…………0…………0…………..0…………..0
Scotland………………………10…………6…………24…………72
NFT U21………………………..2…………1…………0…………..4
Swinton………2013-15……..32………..12………..69…………186
TOTALS…………………….367……….278……….1303………..3718
Scotland Career
2005 versus
Ireland, Wales 1g 1t, France 2g, Wales, Italy 16g 2t, Lebanon 5g, Wales 3t
2008 versus
France (sub), Fiji, Tonga
Totals : Apps 10 (inc 1 sub); Tries 6; Goals 24; Points 72.
