Monday 7 November 2016 17:08, UK
Huddersfield Giants prop Eorl Crabtree has announced his retirement from rugby league to take up an ambassadorial role with the club.
The 34-year-old spent his entire career at the Giants, playing 423 games and scoring 79 tries while representing England on 18 occasions.
"It has been an honour and a pleasure to serve my hometown club throughout my entire professional playing career," he told the Giants website.
"My head and body are telling me it is time to hang up the boots while still a regular Super League first teamer.
"So, having performed for the Giants on the field for nearly two decades, I am gearing up to bring them results in an off-field role in sales and marketing, being delighted to accept the invitation to continue working for my native club who have been so much a part of my adult life.
"While retirement from playing is a major landmark, the bonus is that I can have my nose put back to its original position!
"The promotion season in 2013 was the most enjoyable season I had. It was a joy to play rugby at that point. It's got a lot tougher as I've got older."
Giants managing director Richard Thewlis paid tribute to the one-club man, adding: "Eorl has been an outstanding player for this club and no one should be in any doubt that he ranks amongst the finest professional sportsmen to ever to come from Huddersfield.
"His playing record in the toughest sporting league, in physically the toughest position to me marks him out as someone very special.
"I would hope that in years to come he will become the first of the modern Super League Giants to be considered for our prestigious Hall of Fame. He was the mainstay and cornerstone of our pack for years and without doubt a talisman for the supporters to get behind."