Sheffield Eagles boss Mark Aston wants Anthony Thackeray to reconsider his retirement plans UK News

The ever-green Sheffield skipper, now 36, continues to lead from the front and is the club’s joint top try scorer this season alongside Ben Jones-Bishop with 11.

“Tubbs (Aston) kinda asked me to do the lap again,” Thackeray told The Star.

“We had a text conversation not long ago and he said ’12 more months’. I sent some laughing emojis and said ‘I’ll be watching from the stands’.

“He will obviously have a conversation with me but, as I told him, this is my last year.”

When asked if he had seriously considered changing his mind, half-back Thackeray replied: “Not at the moment.

“A few people have been on top of me. I announced it because I didn’t want to get injured and people think I was over the line.

“I wanted to release it early so I could focus on having a good year and disconnect on my own terms.”

Tom Holmes, who is on loan at Sheffield from Featherstone Rovers, has been mooted as a possible long-term replacement for Thackeray – and the 26-year-old has received a glowing endorsement from the outgoing talisman.

“He’s a classy player,” Thackeray said.

“He’s a really good lad and a funny guy. He’s definitely been in a Super League setup. He’s been trained properly and knows how to play the game.”

Izaac Farrell is also capable of stepping up, Thackeray said.

“He can kick a ball, he can run a ball, they (Sheffield) will be fine.

“You need that experience, but at the same time you want someone young enough that you can put your stamp on for a few years.”

Thackeray, who started his career with Super League hometown club Hull FC, added: “You need good coaching. At Championship level it’s more about managing players than coaching in because of the limited time you have.

“I’m sure he (Aston) will be looking for other players.”