FEATHERSTONE ROVERS favourite Gareth Gale has been hailed by Paul Cooke, who coached the winger in what turned out to be his last season at the club.
The 32-year-old is retiring after six years at Rovers, which brought 90 tries in 130 games.
Gale signed for his hometown team after shining at amateur level for Featherstone Lions.
He went on to play in a Championship Grand Final, which Toulouse won 34-12 in France in 2021, and two Wembley finals in the 1985 Cup, both against York, with Rovers winning 41-34 in 2021 but losing 5-4 after golden-point extra time this year.
While Rovers are now in administration, Cooke is uncertain over his future at the club, but has absolutely no doubt about Gale’s contribution.
“In 2025, I had the pleasure of coaching rather than coaching against Gareth Gale,” he said.
“He is a player I have always admired as a person who loves Rugby League and also as a coach coaching against him. He is tough, durable and his human qualities shine through.
“He’s always team-first in his mentality. Even when he was left out, he did everything to help the team prepare as best to win the following game.
“When he plays, you can guarantee 15-plus carries at least 100 metres, probably more.
“His aerial ability because of his height make him both safe defensively and a massive threat in attack.
“But for me as a coach, his defensive abilities made him one of the best players in the competition. He reads opposing attacks and invariably shuts down passages of play coming towards himself and the players around him.”