MICKY Higham has played his final game for the club but Captain Fantastic hopes to still be at Leigh next season.

Higham’s retirement party arrived sooner than wanted after Centurions’ 34-18 play-off defeat to Featherstone Rovers last Sunday.

And it was a tearful hooker who left the field knowing his 20-year playing career had ended.

“I knew I was going to be emotional one way or another,” said Higham who celebrated his 39th birthday on Wednesday. (Sept 18)

“But knowing you have played your final game made it more so.

“I had a brilliant season and really enjoyed it but it was a tough way to go out and will feel a little sour for a few days.

“I was proud to captain these boys.

“ The recruits slotted in well and we were quietly confident we could possibly have done something special.

“Even so, from where we started last November with me and Duffs and Ando and his brother trying to get a team together as quickly as we could to give ourselves a chance in the play-offs is remarkable.”

Higham retired for the first time after Leigh’s Super League relegation but laced up his boots again in February 2018 after the club’s poor start to life back in the Championship.

“This is definitely it,” he said managing a smile.

“Unless they lose the first five games next season.

“I would play for as long as I could.

“But I know you have to call it a day eventually.

“The time is right and hopefully the club can move on to the next chapter.

“Hopefully though I will stay involved and try to get a contract sorted out for next year; maybe on the strength and conditioning, fitness side or perhaps a bit of coaching.

“My journey is over but hopefully I can have an input in the next group who go out and play.”

Against Rovers, Leigh never recovered from trailing 14-0 after 25 minutes and finished a well beaten side.

“I thought Featherstone played the conditions better, they kicked better and had better field position which took its toll in the end,” said Higham.

“They were definitely the best team on the night.”

Coach John Duffy, equally despondent by Leigh’s early exit, said: “Micky, as well as Luke Douglas, have both left a legacy in the game.

“They will be sadly missed.

“I hope they both stay involved in some capacity because the sport needs people like them.”

Looking forward Duffy said: “Hopefully we can get stuff rolling as soon as possible and try to keep the spine of the team together.

“I have got to learn from this season and we have got to come back bigger and better next year.

“We probably lacked a clinical end to our sets but overall the season has been fantastic.

“It has been an honour to coach this group of players and this club.

“I have really enjoyed it. It’s been a roller coaster but one I will never forget.

“We have players in the dressing room who are devastated.

“But they have got to hold their heads high after what they have achieved after staring pre-season with nine players.”

Head coach John Duffy was as equally emotional as his captain who led out his home town club and then walked through an end of match guard of honour.

“We were beaten by the better team,” said Duffy. “We had a few brain explosions early on coming out of the line and probably lacked a clinical end to our sets.

“But overall the season has been fantastic. It has been an honour to coach this group of players and this club.

“I have really enjoyed it. It’s been a roller coaster but one I will never forget.

“We have players in the dressing room who are devastated. But they have got to hold their heads high after what they have achieved after staring pre-season with nine players.”