St.Helens R.F.C. can confirm that legendary centre Mark Percival will retire from professional rugby league at the end of the 2026 Betfred Super League season.
Mark Percival is proudly sponsored by Proicere.
Lovingly known as ‘The Prince’ by Saints supporters, Percival has been part of the Club since joining our youth ranks as a 14-year-old. He went on to become a Saints Academy graduate, including representing the Club on our Academy Tour of 2012.
Percival made his Super League and St.Helens debut against Leeds Rhinos in March 2013 and, more than a decade later, will retire as a true one-club man, having dedicated his entire professional career to the Saints.
Mark has made the decision following a recommendation to undergo a shoulder replacement at the end of the year. However, as he has throughout his career, he remains determined to give absolutely everything for St.Helens for the remainder of the 2026 season.
A modern-day icon of the Club, ‘Percy’ has established himself as one of the finest centres to grace Super League, with his remarkable list of achievements underlining his standing in the game.
Percival has been part of five Super League title-winning teams and has helped St.Helens secure four League Leaders’ Shields, a Challenge Cup and the World Club Challenge.
At international level, Mark has represented England on six occasions, including at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. That same year, he was named in the Super League Dream Team for the first time, going on to earn two further selections.
Percival has made 273 appearances for the Saints to date, scoring 130 tries and kicking 383 goals for an outstanding career points total of 1,286.
Speaking to saintsrlfc.com about his decision, Mark Percival said: “This has not been an easy decision, and there’s a lot of emotion around it. I love this club so much, and I want to play. I want to be out there helping the team and to be with the fans, so not being able to do that has been difficult, and it makes this decision even harder.
“This is not a choice I’ve made overnight. It’s always difficult when you have to step away, and knowing if it’s the right decision can be hard too. Ultimately, I feel like this is going to be the right decision, even though my mind is telling me to play on; sadly, my body is telling me different.
“I’ll be getting my shoulder replaced at the end of the year. It is what it is. Long-term it means I’ll be able to pick my kids up and not deal with the symptoms I have this season, which is something I’ve been struggling with.
“For what we have left in this season, I’m good to go and feeling relaxed about it. I just want to put everything on the line and give everything I can, like I feel I have done throughout my time at the Club.
“To have the support I’ve had from my family, my friends, my wife Carys, and obviously now my two beautiful kids, Eliza and Rowan, has meant so much.
“It’s been a difficult year. My dad passed away, and he came to every single game, home and away, so it’s been a tough old year, and having that support from all my family, my mum, my brothers and sister, my nephews, my nieces, all of them – I can’t thank them enough.”
After more than 14 seasons as a Saint, Mark reflected on the decision he made as a teenager to begin his journey as a Saint, before thanking everyone at the Club who has supported him throughout his career.
“When I took the risk to go from Widnes to St.Helens, I knew I was doing it to better myself, even at a young age. I can’t be anything but thankful forever to the Club. I’m so grateful for what rugby has given me, allowing me to have the life I’ve had, meet the people I’ve met or do the things I’ve done.
“Thank you to everyone involved at the Club, all the staff, they’ve all been amazing, especially this year because they know I’ve been doing it tough. They’ve shown me nothing but support, and I can’t thank them enough.
“I think the toughest part will be not being around all the lads, my teammates. Like family, they see what you go through, and they know how tough it can be, but they’re always there in support. I don’t want to single anyone out because I don’t want to miss anyone out. They all know who they are and know what I think of them.”
And, with the announcement marking the beginning of the final chapter of his playing career, our ‘Prince’ had a special message for the Saints supporters who have stood alongside him throughout his journey.
“Thank you. Truth be told, I’m struggling to do it justice, just how much the fans’ support has meant to me. I’ve felt that support every time I’ve taken that field, walking out and hearing them sing; knowing that they trust you in what you’re going to do on the pitch is a good feeling.
“I’ve loved every single minute of being at the Club. I wouldn’t change a single thing. To be able to be a part of the Club’s history and give the fans good times has been the best feeling. Again, I just want to say thank you.”
On behalf of everyone at the Club, Chairman Eamonn McManus paid tribute to Mark’s outstanding service to St.Helens and the courage and selflessness he has shown throughout his career.
“Whilst it’s sad that Percy is the latest, in quick succession after Tommy Makinson and Jonny Lomax, of a generation of truly great Saints players to announce their retirement, it also highlights and emphasises how fortunate we have been as a Club to witness his and their careers.
“Percy’s achievements are self-evident and all of his accolades richly deserved. But yet again it is immense bravery and selflessness which distinguish him from other successful careers. It is that bravery and that drive, and always for the benefit of his teammates and our Club, which have no doubt contributed to his relatively early retirement. We should all recognise that and be forever thankful.
“His career is littered with great moments and memories. But it is his first play carry out of the dead-ball area at the kick-off of extra time in the World Club Challenge at Penrith in 2023 that stands out in my memory. It started the set that delivered the greatest moment in our history: his bravery; his selflessness; our unbridled joy.
“It is comforting to us all that Percy will stay on with the Club and alongside the Saints Community Development Foundation and will promote our great sport and our great Club in so many ways. I’m confident that he will approach his tasks with the same dedication and enthusiasm which he did throughout his rugby career.
“On behalf of us all, thank you for the joy that you’ve brought to us all over the last 14 seasons, Percy, and the very best wishes to you and your family in your future lives together.”
