WIRE second rower Gary Sanderson will announce his retirement from Rugby League at Wilderspool tomorrow, Saturday.

The former Great Britain under 21 star, who is in his Testimonial season, has taken medical advice not to play again after a series of neck injuries.

He said this week: "Each time I have injured my neck it has gone weaker. I would need another operation to play again but there is a risk of further damage and that could lead to paralysis.

"I'm disappointed it has all come to an end this way. I'm going to not only miss the playing side, but the training and the camaraderie that comes with being in a rugby team. Rugby has given me a lot and I have many happy memories at Wilderspool.

"But the club have not seen the last of me. I'll still be going to their games and I played bowls for Warrington's Past Players' Association against their St. Helens counterparts last week."

Sanderson's last game for Warrington was the Premiership Trophy semi-finals defeat at Wigan in May, 1995.

He made 236 appearances for Warrington, including 28 as a substitute, and scored 14 tries.

His Testimonial brochure will be on sale for the first time at the ground tomorrow, Saturday. It is a celebration of his rugby career and includes articles from teammates and GUARDIAN journalists, plus many GUARDIAN pictures. It costs £2.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.