Worcester prop Adam Black announced on Monday that he is to hang up his boots at the end of the season.
Black determined to end career on promotion high
Worcester prop Adam Black has announced he is to hang up his boots at the end of the season.
Black, who turns 36 next week, has been a key member of the Warriors' pack after joining the club on a two-year deal from Newport Gwent Dragons in June 2009.
"Adam is one of the larger than life characters at the club who has made a massive impact both on and off the field," said head coach Richard Hill.
"His experience and enthusiasm has been a huge asset and he always looks for the positive no matter what.
"We would have loved to have kept him on, but he has made a brave decision to concentrate on life after rugby and new opportunities.
"We wish him and his family every success in the challenges ahead. Adam will be missed and will always be welcome back here at Sixways."
Black, who represented England at Under-21 level, began his senior career at London Wasps before moving to Sale Sharks and Bedford.
Fantastic
While at Newport Gwent Dragons he became the first player to in the history of Celtic League rugby to reach 100 appearances and the first Dragons player to win a century of caps.
But now, after a career spanning three decades, the Romford-born prop is set to quit rugby altogether and move with his family to Bude in Cornwall where he will take over the running of a campsite.
"I know it's the right time for me to retire," he said Black. "It was always going to be a hard decision to make, especially when the club was keen for me to stay.
"But I've always said one of the main things I wanted to do was retire myself rather than be retired.
"A fantastic opportunity has come up to make something else for myself away from rugby and it only right for me and my family that I take that. I know it's the time to end my playing days.
"I will be running a luxury Yurt campsite in Cornwall and we feel we can make it extra special.
Determined
"It's very exciting to be able to do this with my family and retire from the game with so much to look forward to."
The popular forward remains determined to end his playing days on a high by winning promotion with the Warriors when he steps out for the final time at Sixways on Wednesday for their Championship final second leg against Cornish Pirates.
"I will be giving my absolute all to get the Warriors back into the Premiership, where I feel they rightly belong," he said.
"I've really enjoyed my time at Worcester Warriors. The boys have worked extremely hard this year and we have developed a strong winning mentality.
"I believe the lessons learnt from this season will put the club in a strong position and we have recruited strongly for the future.
"Worcester has some great backers and amazing fans that really deserve success. I have played with some of the best boys I have ever met and I truly wish them every success."
