Ex-Wigan Warriors and Leigh Centurions prop Gareth Hock finds surprising new career
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Matt West/BPI/Shutterstock 9667929aw Gareth Hock of Featherstone Rovers Featherstone Rovers v Hull FC, Ladbrokes Challenge Cup, Sixth Round, LD Nutrition Stadium, Featherstone, UK - 10 May 2018 Featherstone Rovers v Hull FC, Ladbrokes Challenge Cup, Sixth Round, LD Nutrition Stadium, Featherstone, UK - 10 May 2018 PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTXHUNxGRExMLTxCYPxROMxBULxUAExKSAxONLY Copyright: xMattxWest/BPI/Shutterstockx 9667929aw
Love him or hate him, Gareth Hock was once one of the most talented forwards in rugby league.
Known for his confrontational and aggressive style of play, Hock made a name for himself at the Wigan Warriors, registering 191 appearances for the club between 2003 and 2013.
Moves to Widnes Vikings, Salford Red Devils, Leigh Centurions, Featherstone Rovers and then Barrow Raiders didn’t yield as much success as his spell at Wigan and so Hock hung up his boots at the end of the 2019 season following a second stint at Leigh.
Capped four times by Great Britain and five times by England, the rampaging forward retired when he was 35, tweeting at the time: “My body’s just saying ‘no’ and it’s not letting me do what I want it to do and how I want to play.”
“It’s been a hard, emotional couple of weeks, especially today telling the team, staff and my family that I’m retiring from rugby league.”
He added: “I’ve had my ups and downs, more ups, and achieved everything I want to in rugby. It’s scary, but you know when it’s time.”
Hock is now part of the Warriors Skip Hire & Waste Removals company – a family-run business of his own.
Everyone at Serious About Rugby League wishes him well in his new venture!