Super League: Injury forces Castleford star Kirk Dixon to retire
Wednesday 7 January 2015 09:35, UK
Castleford winger Kirk Dixon has been forced to retire because of a neck injury.
Dixon, 30, has been told it will take him at least six months to recover from off-season surgery to replace a disc in his neck.
"I've had surgery to remove a disk and I've had an artificial disc put in there, and it was going to be at least a six months no-contact rehab period," he told the Tigers' official website.
"That would have taken up most of this season and prior to the surgery, I already had an idea that I might retire at the end of the 2015 season.
“But it has come to an end now and you simply cannot put a price on your health. It's certainly not the way I wanted to go out."
Dixon joined Cas from Hull in 2007 and passed the 1000-point mark for the club last season as he scored 12 tries in 19 appearances and represented the team in their Challenge Cup final defeat to Leeds at Wembley.
Dixon made a total of 158 appearances in Super League scoring 70 tries and kicking 269 goals in a 10-year career.
Tigers head coach Daryl Powell said: "Kirk Dixon has been a consummate professional for Castleford Tigers over many years. His work rate and attention to detail in his practice has been absolutely superb during my time at the club.
"I know everyone connected with the playing and coaching staff will be hugely disappointed with Kirk leaving the club, however everyone's time as a player has to end and Kirk is leaving with everyone's best wishes and moving on to the next chapter in his life.
"I wish him the very best in his new challenge and thank him for everything he has done for the Tigers, it has been a real pleasure to work with him."
