Luke Robinson has announced his immediate retirement from Rugby League aged 31.
The former England international has been forced to hang up the boots after being warned that a hip injury could have a detrimental effect on his long-term mobility.
“In many ways the decision was taken out of my hands,” he said.
“By listening in the cold light of day to what the specialist said. Put simply my long term mobility was greatly at risk if I continued to train and play the sport. You never want to hear those sorts of words and it does shock you but after a few days the message sinks in and you have to do what’s right for yourself and your family.
“I am blessed with a supportive family who have given so much support to me during my career that now is the time to give something back by taking proper advice and ensuring that I can do all the things that parents do with their children and whilst of course it’s with a heavy heart that I make this announcement it is the right course of action.
“My immediate future will be in rehabilitation from an operation which the club are fully supporting me through and then we have said we’ll sit down and look at where I can be of benefit to the club. Over these past few years I have come to regard this as my club and it’s the only one I want at be at and it is how I’ve felt for a good while now.
2004 England tour to Russia, looks like an audition for the band blazin squad pic.twitter.com/VWBc3Nah7D
— luke robinson (@luke_robinson9) February 8, 2016
“I want to put something back into them and the local community that has been so supportive of my time here but we have said we’ll assess that as and when I am back mobile and able to contribute.
“Words cannot describe how difficult it was telling the lads of the decision to hang the boots up – especially at the current moment when we are low on numbers – but as I keep saying I really have no choice. I still choke up a bit thinking of that speech the other day so I’m going to have to toughen up I guess if any media collar me to talk about things!“
Halifax-born Robinson first came to prominence at Wigan, making his debut at the age of 17 against Warrington. He then joined Salford ahead of the 2005 season and spent three years with the Red Devils.
But he really made a name for himself at Huddersfield, joining the Giants in 2008 and played a pivotal part in their resurgence up the Rugby League echelons and went on to represent England.
Last week, Giants head coach Paul Anderson paid testament to Robinson after revealing he would play a restricted role this year due to injuries, with Anderson saying he had ‘nothing but admiration’ for him.
