WHEN Ben Westwood hangs up his boots at the end of the season he will be remembered as one of the greatest players in Warrington Wolves history.

Although statistics and milestones can lead to that conclusion, the love for the fella on the terraces tells you all you need to know.

Even when the non-playing former England international did a lap of honour with teammates after Saturday’s Challenge Cup semi-final win against Hull, the fans were singing HIS song.

Such respect and adoration is reserved for the very few at any one club in any sport.

Warrington Guardian:

Super Bennie Westwood, as the lyrics go, is admired as a man who has given his all for the badge on his shirt, time and time again.

If it wasn’t a crunching tackle or bit of biff that had lifted supporters’ posteriors out of seats, it was a galloping charge, precision offload, nicely worked try or a successful conversion. Yes, Westwood’s done it all!

Warrington Guardian:

Fans have appreciated that by the end of a match he has left nothing on the field – and headed to the changing rooms battered, bruised and running on fumes. You should have seen the state of some of his opponents!

Silly one minute, offering a wise word the next, he has been a wonderful character to have around the place.

Young players at the club look up to him and these days he is passing on his knowledge as an assistant coach to the Warrington Wolves Women.

He hit his peak under Tony Smith’s stewardship and for many years must have been the first name on the team sheet.

Warrington Guardian:

There were matches when he was untouchable, the four-try demolition of Leeds Rhinos in a 2013 play-offs contest being a prime example.

The link-up he had with another Wire legend, his good pal Lee Briers, on the right flank alongside either Martin Gleeson or Chris Bridge was world class.

And yet, with his passion for the rough and tumble, in the same period and into the twilight of his career he has been just as destructive down the middle as a loose forward or prop.

There was a time when it was not clear if he would achieve much in the game.

He joined The Wire from Wakefield at the same time as Australian Nathan Wood in 2002, playing a huge part in helping his new team to avoid relegation.

 

At the time he was a centre or winger who had already gained county honours with Yorkshire.

And although he had some great moments in those early years in primrose and blue, he had some stinkers too.

Many a time it looked as if he needed glue on his hands to keep hold of the ball.

The switch to the pack was the making of him.

The high intensity full-on collisions and the extra aggression required suited him down to the ground and with a new spring in his step he never looked back.

Warrington Guardian:

By some distance he is the only remaining player in the club to have spent some of his career playing home matches at Wilderspool Stadium.

That tells you how long he has been at the top of this game, considered by many to be the most demanding in world sport.

The clatterings he has given – and taken – in the name of Warrington Wolves can not be counted on all the fingers and toes of a capacity Halliwell Jones Stadium but yet this season, until the calf injury that has kept him out since May, the oldest player in Super League has still been able to hold his own albeit in shorter stints off the bench.

Staggeringly for the physical demands of a faster and more explosive modern game, he celebrated his 500-match milestone last year.

That total included 27 matches for England and probably should have been more – and would have been more if he had played for a more fashionable club in the mid-00s.

Warrington Guardian:

He regrets missing out on playing for the last Great Britain team back in 2007 but will be able to look back on three Challenge Cup Final successes – maybe one more – two seasons of winning the League Leaders’ Shield and appearances in Grand Finals.

Westwood would still love to bow out with an Old Trafford win and his announcement now that he is to retire at the end of the campaign could well prove to be inspirational to all around him to ‘do it for Super Bennie’.

The last 10 years has been arguably the greatest period in the club’s history and he has been at the heart of it.

That’s no coincidence.

He has soldiered brilliantly and we should all thank him for his service.

Hopefully the business end of the season will bring about him bowing out in the best possible way, adding a final piece of silverware to the cabinet at home before the doors are locked.

WHAT BENNIE SAYS ABOUT HIS RETIREMENT:

“It’s been a difficult decision but one that had to be made. I think the time is right.

"I’ve achieved what I wanted to in the game and 21 years is a long time to play a contact sport like we do.

"I’ve loved every single minute of it and have achieved some amazing things with some amazing people.



 

"There’s still time to achieve some more this year too but sadly at the end of this one that will be it for me.

"I am looking forward to relaxing and becoming a fan though and watching from the stands.

Warrington Guardian:

"It’s sad that this time has to come but it was always going to and at 38 years old I haven’t done badly.

“To convert a Yorkshire man to stay out of Yorkshire for 18 years shows the club is doing something right. It’s been fantastic.

"I’ve played against some great players, in some big teams, making so many friends and so many memories; the last game at Wilderspool stands out, the first game at the HJ with the start of a new era and the 2010 Challenge Cup Final walking out with Tyler.

"I can’t thank my family enough; the staff, players, coaches, fans and Simon Moran too, who has been fantastic with me over the years, I have so much respect for him.

PICTURES > Wire singing in the rain and on the road to Wembley

“The Super Bennie tag still gives me goosebumps after all these years.

"I think the fans took to me and I took to them. I will miss it.

Warrington Guardian:

"You won’t get rid of me that easy. I am going to be working with the backroom staff and in the office, and coaching the women’s team too.

"I will still be around, still be involved in the club, which will hopefully make the transition a little bit easier.”