Grix pays tribute to ‘great servant’ Tyrer as he makes his exit

“I can understand the furore at the minute with the departures but we want to get them done and in the not too distant, we’ll be putting out recruitment and retention information.”

“With regards to retention, we’re well on the way with that. We’ll be keeping the vast majority of the squad we’ve currently got from the 2020 season.”

“We’re doing plenty of work in the background and things are going well, so it’s just a case of having some patience, sticking with us, forgetting the doom and gloom and appreciating there’s a method behind what we’re doing, which is to put a team together that will be more than competitive next season.”

News of the trio of departures followed the exit of longserving centre Tyrer.

Tyrer moved to The Shay from Widnes Vikings in 2012. Under then boss and fellow Fax legend Karl Harrison, he lifted silverware during his first season with the club, scoring the match winning try in a 21-12 Northern Rail Cup Final victory over Featherstone at Bloomfield Road.

An ever reliable goal kicker, Tyrer went on to make over 200 appearances for Halifax, crossing the line 115 times to add to his 770 goals.

He ends his Fax career sitting second in the club’s all time points scoring charts on 2000 points, just 191 behind record holder and Hall of Famer Ronnie James.

He said: “It’s been unbelievable. I’m not a massive crier but I had tears in my eyes when I told all the lads.

“I reckon if I was stood in front of the stands now and it was the last game of the season and I was doing it though,

“I’d be an absolute wreck. The fans have been brilliant with me.

“Everybody knows what it means to me to play for this club and it’s nine years that I’ll never ever forget.”

“It’s been the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my career.

“I’ve had sleepless nights thinking have I done the right thing?

“I feel that I’ve given everything I have for the club and even though I’ve said in the past that I’d like to retire here (at Halifax), in the back of my mind I always thought I’d know when the time was right.

“And right now, that time is right for me, it’s right for my family and I’m looking forward to the future.”

Fax coach Grix said: “Steve has been a part of the furniture at Halifax and enjoyed some great times at the club.

“He has been a great servant of the club on and off the pitch and will welcomed back to a great reception when he returns to the Shay I am sure.

“We wish him nothing but the best for the future.”