COMMENT: Thanks for the memories Moz - enjoy your retirement

Back in August 2009 Warrington Wolves lifted the Challenge Cup at Wembley – 19 years since they had even been in the final and a generation since they had won it.

More than 30,000 fans went to London for the final to watch Adrian Morley lift the famous old trophy – for most of them it was the first time they had seen a Warrington captain holding a piece of major silverware.

For most of us at the Warrington Guardian, it was the first time we had reported on it.

And while all 17 were heroes that day, one stood just a little taller.

Morley led from the front throughout his career, which he confirmed on Thursday would be ending in a couple of weeks when the curtain falls on the 2015 season.

He also won the cup in 2010 and 2012. And while we hoped 2009 would lead onto something special, we had no way of knowing and so this was something to really celebrate.

Moz was in many ways a quiet leader but he was an enormous inspiration.

His hit on Huddersfield's talisman Eorl Crabtree in that final will live long in my memory.

I asked him about it at the Town Hall (watch below) after the homecoming the following and day and of course he played it down. As dominant as he was on the field, he was unfailing modest off it, always happy to deflect attention and praise others.

This was never more clear than when he asked Lee Briers, who has been the heartbeat of the Warrington side for the previous decade, to lift the trophy with him at Wembley.

And that homecoming will always be my favourite Morley memory – as I am sure it will be for those people in the crowds that day.

I think we expected it to be big, but not quite that big.

We had our press passes sorted for the Town Hall to speak to the players after the parade and pretty naively thought it would be easy to get around town.

We thought we could get some coverage elsewhere on the route before heading back.

In fact the picture we got from the pedestrian footbridge near to Cockhedge would be used on the front page that week.

But as we left there, we realised it might not be so easy. There were people everywhere and by this time it was raining.

Eventually after barging past security and the estimated 100,000 people on the streets we arrived as the bus was coming up Winmarleigh Street.

It was a sight I will never forget and perhaps one that will never be repeated with a sea of people as far as you could see.

When the players finally got inside the Town Hall we did some pictures, spoke to the Mayor and familiar faces before looking for Moz.

When we got to him, he had the cup wrapped in his massive biceps.

And while he looked a little tired, it was not as bedraggled as me, soaking wet with a mixture of rain and sweat!

But as a lifelong Warrington fan to be in the Town Hall, talking to the captain of the Wire while working with my mates is a career highlight I doubt I will ever top.

As always, Morley was happy to give his time, answer our questions and revel in the moment – when I am sure he would have rather been celebrating with his family and teammates.

So thanks for the memories Moz. They will last a lifetime.