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St Helens’ Club Captain Paul Sculthorpe has announced his intention to retire from playing Rugby League.

The 30-year-old made the decision after a long and distinguished career in the game.

‘Scully’s’ career transcends two decades. He made 78 appearances for Warrington before joining Saints in a record £370,000 transfer back in 1997.

From then, he became probably his generation’s greatest ever player, notching up 261 appearances for the Club, scoring 113 tries, kicking 392 goals and dropping 10 goals for 1246 points.

He also made 30 representative appearances for GB and England and three for Lancashire.

Twice winner of the Man of Steel accolade and still the only player to win back-to-back awards, he says he has made the choice after much deliberation.

“The last three years have been a horrendously difficult time for me in terms of injuries and quite simply, I want to finish when I am on top of the game,” he said. “I’ve had a great career and I have no qualms with retiring. I have a young family and I want to look after my body so I can look after them.

“Although the shoulder injury may have brought the ‘end’ forward four matches, it was always my intention to retire this season. I had made up my mind long before Wembley and I am now ready and looking forward to the next challenge.”

Paul won a multitude of honours at Saints since making his debut against Featherstone Rovers in February 1998.

He was part of the Saints team that took Super League honours in1999, 2000, 2002 and 2006, the World Club Challenge in 2001 and 2007, the Challenge Cup in 2001, 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008and the League Leaders Shield for the last four seasons.

In 2004, his first season as captain, he lifted the Challenge Cup after Saints’ 32-16 win over Wigan Warriors at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. He also joined a select band of players to have scored 100 tries and 100 goals in Super League, and in 2005 scored his 1000th point for Saints.

Internationally, he was named captain of Great Britain in 2005 and quite simply has become a great ambassador for the British game.

“Undoubtedly, the highlight of my career at Saints was winning the Challenge Cup at the Millennium Stadium in 2004,” he continued. “The Grand Final wins were special, but this one stood out as we beat the auld enemy with a great performance and both myself and my brother Danny played in the final.

“The World Club Championship wins in 2001 and 2007 were also special. The first one was superb as they were the hottest team in the world back then.

“The second was good because a lot of people doubt you when you have been injured and that game proved to everyone that I could always play.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has helped me in my career and the fans for their unwavering support.”

Saints Chief Executive Tony Colquitt paid tribute to Paul: “I first got to know Paul in my previous life at Gillette. The fact Gillette chose Paul as one of its sports ambassadors, demonstrates the high regard and profile he had earned nationally.

“It was a tremendous boost for the profile of the game and its success was largely down to Paul’s high levels of professionalism both on and off the field.

“Paul was a trendsetter both on the pitch and off it and no doubt he will be the same in whatever direction his future career takes him.”

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Sculthorpe to Retire