HAVEN stalwart James Robinson hung up his boots in style at the weekend - as he helped steer his side to safety in the final match of the season.

Robinson, who is also director of rugby at the Recreation Ground, said the win over Hunslet on Saturday was the perfect farewell for him as the victory guaranteed Haven a place in the Championship next season.

But he also admitted that it was a big decision to take, to finally bring the curtain down on a 14-year playing career with both Haven and Workington Town.

“I have known for the last 12 months that this day was coming,” said Robinson, now 36. “This league is just getting harder, lads are dropping out of Super League and playing here.

“It is probably the highest standard I have played at in my 14 years of pro rugby. I am getting older and slowing down and I don’t want to let the lads around me down.

“Everything is so fast and so competitive and I think the standard will rise again next year. I have played well in the games I have had this year but I think it was time to step back.”

He said the icing on the cake was to see Haven remain in the second tier of professional rugby league.

“This year our aim was to stop up. We have built a team that we think can be competitive next year but we had to stay up and build a platform so that we can push for a top four spot next year,” explained Robinson.

“We think we have recruited well enough and we will hopefully have a few more signings to make to top the squad up in the next few weeks.

“It is just credit to James Coyle and Peter Williams for what they have brought to the club. Will doesn’t ask anyone to do anything he can’t do himself and everyone respects him for that.”

Robinson will now concentrate his efforts on the players as he continues his boardroom role and will also assist the coaching staff.

“On game days James wants me to do a lot of the bench work and some training,” said Robinson. “And I will be helping on the recruiting side, talking to players and I enjoy all of that.

“I was involved towards the back end of last year and I will be stepping up that role now. We have retained all the lads that we wanted to and hopefully we will bring others in.”

Haven general manager Amanda Hewer praised Robinson’s long career and commitment to rugby league in the area.

“It was lovely for us to have his farewell game after he spent so long at Workington as well,” she said. “Our fans have really accepted James as one of their own and he always gives 100 per cent both on and off the field.

“He will stay with us as director of rugby and now he will have more time to concentrate on that role.”

Hewer said that they were still in talks to try and retain Tyla Hepi for next season but that they had signed all the current players they wanted to retain.