Mr Westwood, it would be an honour to shake you by the hand, say thank you and wish you all the very best for a successful and happy future, whether that is in this great (if somewhat sanitised) game of ours or elsewhere.

441 appearances for the Wire - a true legend and I hope we get to see you in the P & B again before the end of the season......hat trick Vs Stains next week perhaps??

From a fan of 40+ years, thank you

Agree with all the previous comments and off the pitch Benny is a genuine nice bloke. Made up that he's staying with the club. Enjoy your retirement SuperBen, you deserve it.

www.rugbyleagueproject.org has Ben playing these number of games by position. Wing 26 Centre 68 Front Row 10 Second Row 252 Lock (Loose Forward) 83 Bench 34 2005 was where he was changed to mainly Second Row and Loose Forward, he only played centre 4 times. He did play prop 4 times that year as well. August 1st 2004 last time he played Wing. August 31st 2007 last time he played Centre.

www.rugbyleagueproject.org has Ben playing these number of games by position. Wing 26 Centre 68 Front Row 10 Second Row 252 Lock (Loose Forward) 83 Bench 34 2005 was where he was changed to mainly Second Row and Loose Forward, he only played centre 4 times. He did play prop 4 times that year as well. August 1st 2004 last time he played Wing. August 31st 2007 last time he played Centre.

Very rarely in Rugby League do you get a player that can play so many different positions over such a long period of time. Obviously age plays a role, to develop & adapt his game from a Winger to Prop over time is a very special talent and all credit to him. There isn’t many players in today’s game that you could genuinely see making that progression at the elite level as successfully as he has.

One of my favourite memories of Benny was in the 2010 CC final, we struggled for goal kicking that season & Super Ben took on the mantle. And him nailing the one from touchline for Hick’s spectacular second try always sticks in my mind, I remember having a wry smile to myself and I’m still baffled now as to how he got the nod as goal kicker! Not forgetting that classy cover tackle on Ryan Hall when he looked to break through & score in the first half..

Thanks for the memories Super Benny.

There's only one sbw, and it isn't sonny bill

+1

Great read Sally. What a player he's been for us, totally uncompromising, top effort, played the game very hard. Brilliant player, an absolute pleasure to watch him in the pnb over the years. Happy retirement benny, I hope you finish on a high first though.

I very much enjoyed Sally's post. I think Westwood had the edge over Ellis as an attacking threat, and Ben's 135 club tries against Ellis' 84 bears that out. Ellis of course has a better disciplinary record. Both greats of the modern era.

An underrated and colossus of a player for a good few years.

Mad as a box of frogs n’all!

It would be nice if the club could bring out some special SBW merchandise to mark the occasion - T-shirts or whatever.

Just read that Hock is retiring, what a contrast in careers.

He never let us get bullied. Every team needs players like him.

I think that he will be sorely missed by the fans and club alike could we see an ellis like return?

He has been great for us a shaky start but now a club legend. Immense at times banned at others but I think he has probably been one of our best returns from a transfer fee.

Good luck Ben,

given his alleged training discipline I worry at what part behind the scenes he will be playing. One thing I would love him to be able to pass on is that leave it all on the pitch attitude