ST HELENS’ veteran centre Mark Percival will retire at the end of the season.
The 32-year-old, who has been selected in Saints’ 21-man squad for Friday night’s game at Leigh Leopards, says it has been a tough decision to hang up his boots, but that it is now time to put his health and his family first.
Percival made his debut for the club in a 20-12 defeat to Leeds Rhinos at the then-Langtree Park in March 2013 in front of 12,228 spectators.
Since then he has been a one-club man, other than appearing once for Rochdale Hornets on loan in 2014.
He has played 273 games for St Helens, scoring 130 tries and 383 goals for 1,286 points in total.
He was a member of the St Helens teams that won the Super League Grand Final in 2014 and then from 2019 to 2022, while he was selected in the Dream Team on three separate occasions.
He also won a Challenge Cup winners’ medal in 2021 and a World Club Challenge Winners’ Medal in 2023, whilst internationally, he played six times for England, including one game in the 2017 World Cup.
Confirming his retirement, Percival wrote: “After a lot of thought, I have made the decision to retire from Rugby League at the end of this season.
“Although this has been a very emotional decision, I know the time is right to put my health and my family first.
“Rugby League is a tough sport to which I have always given 100 percent, this season it has heavily impacted my home life, leading to medical advice to have my shoulder replaced at the end of this season.
“When I arrived at this club at 14, I never would have imagined I would be able to look back on such a fortunate career.
“I feel very lucky to have taken to the field with such a special group and very proud of the trophies and titles we have contributed to this great club’s history.
“To have played a small part in this club’s history and to give our fans some truly special memories is something I will always be incredibly proud of.
“I want to finish by giving you everything that I have and will do that for you and for all my teammates too.”