St Helens: Ade Gardner retires to take up coaching role
Last updated on .From the section Rugby League
St Helens winger Ade Gardner has retired from playing to take up a coaching position at the club.
Gardner is the new assistant strength and conditioning coach as Keiron Cunningham organises the backroom team of the Super League champions.
The former Great Britain international spent the 2014 season on loan at Hull KR after three years of injury issues.
"I was going to retire at the end of 2015 but the club offered me this role and it made sense," said Gardner, 31.
"I am retiring with a heavy heart. I had 15 good seasons at the best club in the world and have fond memories not only here but with Barrow, Hull KR and Great Britain too.
"But the opportunity to remain at this great club was too good to turn down."
Gardner joined Saints in 2001 from Barrow and scored 173 tries in 286 games, including being the club's top try scorer in the 2006, 2007 and 2008.
The Barrow-born wing also played seven times for England and five times for Great Britain.
