St Helens man Matty Lees has opened up on his pride after receiving the club Players’ Player of the Year award for 2024.
Named in the Dream Team, Lees had a fantastic season despite an overall disappointing campaign for Saints.
Finishing sixth, they came close to beating Warrington Wolves but in the end, lost in golden point extra-time.
Speaking to club media, Lees said about the award, voted for by his teammates: “Just absolutely overwhelmed, to receive that Players’ Player Award, it really does mean a lot. I’m lost for words, but knowing what I do for the team is enough to please the lads, that’s good enough for me.
“The boys who are leaving, the great friends, I’ve got special memories of them forever. I’m gutted that we couldn’t leave on good terms, winning some silverware at the end of this year for them.
“Looking ahead on the plus side, with the disappointing year we’ve had, we’ve had a lot of special talent come through with the youth system and there’s been a lot of the young boys who have stepped up and really helped us. It’s given us a chance, we’ve gone in the top six and we had a chance so that’s better than not having a chance at all. It means a lot.”
“Not the type to be noticed” – Lees delighted with St Helens award
Credit: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
Being a forward, you rarely get awards – with full-backs, half-backs and wingers usually receiving the awards.
Lees said: “I’m not the type of person to be noticed and it gives people in similar positions to mine, as a young kid coming through, enjoying rugby, enjoying working hard, to all the likes of Leon, George, even the older boys, what they’ve said to me has been amazing tonight.
“I see myself as a grafter at the end of the day and for the young lads to speak to me like they have done tonight on them videos, the presentation, it really does mean a lot.”
