Matty Smith retires.

[Futtocks]

 

[Father Ted]

A good player for Wigan as the above list proves.

Thanks Matty and all the best for the future.

[The Future is League]

13 minutes ago, Futtocks said:

 

He had his detractors, but he never let England down when he played. He always had a good kicking game, possibly due to his soccer background

[johnh1]

Always liked him as a player. Except when he scored that ludicrous drop goal after the hooter to win the game for Saints against Salford a few years back.

[Number 16]

Wow! Had to look at the date of this thread as I thought he went years ago!

He was a pretty good player who had his moments and has the gongs to prove it. 

I suspect he'll have plenty to offer in a coaching role.

[Damien]

I liked him at Wigan and he played an important role in the success the team had at that time.

[Davo5]

A real good solid pro who had a great spell at Wigan.

[Stanley30]

Good solid scrum half who did a good job at Salford whenever I watched him

[Futtocks]

A fine team player, who worked really well in combinations with other halves, rather than starring on his own. His partnership with Blake Green at Wigan was probably the peak in this respect.

[Chris22]

A solid player who played for a lot of big teams and arguably achieved more than other players of his equivalent ability. That's probably testament to his professionalism and determination.

[DI Keith Fowler]

Every team needs someone who isn't flashy but improves everyone around them. He was just that to an elite level.

He's generally gone well for Widnes in recent years albeit in a mediocre side. He's been asked to carry the game to the opposition on his own too many times which was never his game. With better players around him he would have been able to show his quality more.

[Spidey]

3 hours ago, DI Keith Fowler said:

Every team needs someone who isn't flashy but improves everyone around them. He was just that to an elite level.

He's generally gone well for Widnes in recent years albeit in a mediocre side. He's been asked to carry the game to the opposition on his own too many times which was never his game. With better players around him he would have been able to show his quality more.

To cap off his career he’ll have to do the naked run having not got a try this year

[Damien]

2 hours ago, Spidey said:

To cap off his career he’ll have to do the naked run having not got a try this year

That's always the important thing!

[Dunbar]

On 12/09/2022 at 19:57, Futtocks said:

 

Have to say (as well as congratulations to Matty Smith on his career of course), Wigan do these things particularly well.  He last played for Wigan 6 years and 5 clubs ago but it was nice to see them recognise him.

I think these things make a difference in the long run for a well run club.

[The storm]

I really appreciate the effort matty smith put in at widnes

Really outstanding at times with the heart of a lion 

 

[Futtocks]

18 minutes ago, Dunbar said:

Have to say (as well as congratulations to Matty Smith on his career of course), Wigan do these things particularly well.  He last played for Wigan 6 years and 5 clubs ago but it was nice to see them recognise him.

I think these things make a difference in the long run for a well run club.

They also Tweeted a Happy Birthday message today to both Denis Betts and Stuart Fielden. Their social media people are on the ball with the little touches, as usual.

Edited September 14, 2022 by Futtocks

[JohnM]

There is no doubt in my mind that he was an excellent player and club servant. For be be it for me, though, as someone who could hardly pass or kick a ball or make a tackle, to be critical, but he was somewhat inconsistent and a bit random with his grubber kicking.  I wonder how he'll make a living now?