LEIGH Leopards veteran Jack Hughes admits the decision to hang up his boots at the end of the campaign has been “a lot more difficult than he ever imagined.”
The 34-year-old brings the curtain down on a distinguished 15-year career that has seen him rack up almost 400 appearances across spells with Wigan Warriors, Barrow Raiders, Leigh, Workington Town and Huddersfield Giants.
After winning the Super League Grand Final with Wigan in 2013, Hughes went on to lift the Challenge Cup with Warrington Wolves, for whom he made over 150 appearances, in 2019, before helping the Leopards achieve the same feat four years later.
Earning a reputation both for his tough, no-nonsense approach and his professionalism and leadership, he has played an influential role both on and off the pitch for the Leopards over the last four seasons, having now featured 100 times for the club in his second spell after a solitary appearance in 2013 on dual registration from the Warriors.
Having missed the win over St Helens due to illness, Hughes will now hope to go out on a high with fifth-placed Leigh, who close out the regular season against top four hopefuls Wakefield Trinity, in a successful play-off campaign.
“It’s been a long, hard-thought decision and a difficult one – a lot more difficult than I ever imagined it would be when the time came,” said the back-rower or centre, who has featured 22 times for the Leopards so far this season.
“Although we all know it’s coming for us at some point, I have decided that, at the end of the season, I will bring the curtain down.
“I made my mind up a few weeks ago, but if I’m honest, I was changing it on a daily basis depending on how I felt.
“I’ve been toying with it and it’s been really difficult, but I have made the decision now.”
Head coach Adrian Lam hailed the influence of the England Knights and Great Britain international on his squad, adding: “What he has done for us, both on and off the field, has been incredible.
“He’s a player who, when he speaks, everyone listens. He has that aura about him, along with his leadership qualities and a quiet aggressiveness.
“How he has helped mould this team over the last four years has been incredible.
“He is such a popular member of the group. He has a great sense of humour, he’s a tough player and has led us from the front.
“He’s going to be sorely missed.”
The Leopards have also confirmed the departures of Isaac Liu, Bailey Hodgson, Robbie Mulhern and Ben McNamara and Bailey Hodgson, who will continue in Super League with Hull FC and Castleford Tigers respectively, whilst Owen Trout will take up an opportunity in the NRL.