Workington Town star Marsh quits game after horrific injury
Last updated 13:24, Wednesday, 17 September 2008
Workington Town star Iain Marsh has quit the game – after a horrific injury ended his World Cup dreams.
Marsh, 28, had to undergo surgery after breaking his arm in two places and dislocating his wrist in Town’s play-off defeat at Keighley earlier this month. This put paid to his chance to jet off to Australia as part of Scotland’s World Cup squad next month and it has forced him to re-evaluate his options.
“I had just been told that I would be in the final squad to go to the World Cup so this was a major disappointment,” said Marsh, who was named in the original squad with team-mate Matthew Tunstall and Haven’s Spencer Miller.
“And I decided that that was it and I was going to retire from the game.
“I have a baby on the way and it opens your eyes. I had a chat with my family and I have enjoyed playing but you have got to stop at some point.
“I have a good job now and if the worst came to the worst I would not want to lose that because I was playing rugby.
“I have enjoyed my time at Workington and I am just sorry that we couldn’t have gone further.
“But the injuries did us no good at all this year, I don’t think we had the same team for two consecutive weeks.”
Centre/second row, Marsh, joined Workington in November last year and has been a regular this season.
He is now going to take some time out of the game before deciding whether to look into coaching options.
He added: “With the baby coming I want to take some time out and then I might have a look at the coaching road.
“I have my badges so I could possibly go into that or perhaps strength and conditioning.”
Marsh started playing rugby at the age of eight and turned pro with Salford at the age of 15.
He made five Super League appearances for the Reds before moving on to St Helens (where he spent a loan spell at Barrow Raiders), Oldham, Batley and Rochdale.
And although he has strong links still with Salford, he is hoping Whitehaven can turn them over on Thursday night in the NL1 Grand Final eliminator.
“I have a couple of friends at Whitehaven and I would like to wish them all the best, I think it would be good for the game if they beat Salford.”
