‘Pepsi’ ends playing career
Receiving a good luck Tweet from Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend as you bow out of a 20-year career was a good feeling for Hamilton’s Richie Maxton.
Receiving respect and praise from peers and coaches is what it’s all about for ‘Pepsi’ who says he was in the game for the camaraderie in the first place.
Saturday’s promotionsealing win was Maxton’s 197th and he will now decide if he will stay on as a coach at Laigh Bent.
He said: “I would like to have got to 200, but my body has given up on me and it’s time to move on to the next chapter.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every single one of them, it’s a special club to play for, and it has been great.
“There is no better way to end a career than on a promotion, and a great win, with a great bunch of boys and a great club, so I loved it.
“It’s going to be interesting not to be playing next season, but I’m ready for it, because my body has just about packed in!
“I managed to squeeze one more season in, and I’m glad I can go out on a win, and feel proud of what I’ve achieved.
“Now the season has finished I’m going to review and reflect. I’ve had 21 years of rugby being my life, so I’ll discuss with the other coaches and decide whether I’m going to have a break or continue.”
On that Tweet, Pepsi said: “I’ve met him on a few occasions, so it was nice just to be acknowledged by a man of his standing.”