Bridge’s great contribution to game honoured

● RECENTLY-RETIRED Widnes centre Chris Bridge was honoured at this week’s Man of Steel Awards for his ‘Outstanding Contribution’ to the game.

While Castleford half-back Luke Gale scooped the main prize when he was named the 2017 Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel, Bridge was recognised along with seven other long-serving retired players.

The 33 year-old made 248 Super League appearances in a 16-year career which saw him represent Bradford Bulls and Warrington Wolves before joining the Vikings for the 2016 season. Bridge was one of 11 Widnes players of the 25 who voted who selected Gale as their Man of Steel.

Wigan centre Oliver Gildart was named Young Player of the Year with Castleford boss Daryl Powell unsurprisingly collecting the Coach of the Year gong.

The award winners in full from the 2017 Man of Steel awards are as follows: ● Hit Man – Danny Houghton (Hull FC – 1123 tackles) ● Top Metre Maker – Alex Walmsley (St Helens – 4256 metres made) ● Top Tryscorer – Greg Eden (Castleford Tigers – 38 tries) ● Top Gun – Marc Sneyd (Hull FC – 89 per cent conversion rate) ● Outstanding Contribution – Thomas Bosc, Chris Bridge, Rob Burrow, Eorl Crabtree, Gareth Ellis, Andy Lynch, Iafeta Palea’aesina, Leon Pryce ● Foundation of the Year – Wigan Warriors ● Betfred Super League Club of the Year – Castleford Tigers ● Betfred Super League Young Player of the Year – Oliver Gildart (Wigan Warriors) ● Betfred Super League Coach of the Year – Daryl Powell (Castleford Tigers) ● The Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel – Luke Gale (Castleford Tigers)

Friday, October 5, 2012 WIDNES chairman Steve O’Connor thanked Paul Cullen for his “significant contribution to the development of our club” when the director of rugby called time on his Widnes career.

In addition to his valuable work away from the public gaze Cullen led the club to success in the 2009 Northern Rail Cup, thereby ‘ticking the box’ to allow application for a Super League Licence.

Cullen commented: “I have enjoyed my time at Widnes and the time is now right for me to move on. I believe that my objectives have been met, which were to win a trophy, win a licence, change from part-time to full-time professionalism and to deliver Super League to the supporters of Widnes Vikings.” ● WIDNES VIKINGS: On This Day is available now at £9.99 from the Vikings Superstore. ●

Craig Galloway Chris Bridge was honoured at the Man of Steel Awards this week. Full-back Rhys Hanbury leads the Vikings on an attack against the Wigan Warriors in the teams’ controversially-switched clash at the Select Security Stadium in February.