THE curtain has finally fallen on the 11-year playing career of York City Knights star Adam Sullivan – and despite severe injuries he tells PETER MARTINI how much he will miss the cut and thrust of playing.

I’M just an average player who’s been lucky”. That was Adam Sullivan’s modest opinion as he hung up his boots this week to end an 11-year professional career that has brought promotions, player of the year awards and almost legendary status at York City Knights.

Sullivan, 30, ended his final campaign on the sidelines due to injury, unable to help the Knights escape relegation from the Kingstone Press Championship – but he was still given a guard of honour by his team-mates ahead of Sunday’s last game of the season.

He says he will sorely miss that camaraderie but has had no second thoughts about retiring, having played through the pain barrier several times due to an ongoing knee problem before seeing his season cut short by a torn meniscus in his ‘good’ knee.

“If anything, getting this extra injury confirmed my body is ready to retire even if I’m not,” said Sullivan, who begins life as a teacher this week after getting his degree earlier this summer.

“I will miss it. I’ll miss being with the lads. With the physical aspect of the game, you get a lot of camaraderie. Training in the middle of winter is pretty tough and you need to have a good bunch of mates to get through it.

“You prepare your full week around playing – it all revolves around rugby league. Now I will have all this spare time and that will be a culture shock.”

Sullivan has no regrets about anything he has done in his career – including spending so long at York.

“I’m really pleased I went to France when I did. Going to Hunslet was a good decision as I felt quite stale here at the time. Coming back was the right thing to do as well,” he said.

“I think I’ve done things at the right times. I definitely have no regrets about spending so long at York.

“I’m really glad I spent the majority of my career here. Not many players spend so long at one club and build such a rapport with fans.

“I’m glad I came in only the second year of the Knights. As the club have grown, so have I. I’ve been lucky to spend so much time here.”

Sullivan has made by far the most appearances for York since the club re-formed. He played 130 times between August 2004 and leaving at the end of 2009 for a two-year spell at Hunslet. In those six seasons, aside from a sojourn to play for Lyon for one French season, he missed only 11 matches.

He returned for 2012 and has taken his total number of appearances for the Knights up to 171, including 18 this term.

He also played 40 times for Hull KR and 46 for Hunslet, making it 257 games as a first-grade pro – a figure few players reach nowadays.

He has won Championship One (or National League One) and player of the year crowns with both York and Hunslet.

“That’s something I’m really proud of,” said the Hullensian. “When I got Player of the Year in 2005 (both The Press award and the club award) and Player of the Month three times on the trot – looking back I can be proud of a few things.

“To have the most appearances here is something I’m very proud of. York is my second home – it’s my first home when it comes to rugby.

“I was at Bradford Bulls and Hull KR when I was younger but this is where I developed as a player.

“I think I’ve been really lucky. I’ve overachieved, if I’m honest. I look at myself as an average player, so the stuff I’ve done – to play at this level for a decade, to play in France and win the league here a couple of times – is great for someone with my ability.

“I think I’ve done better than I should’ve done going on ability. I look at a lot of players – people like Ian Bell, who are phenomenal athletes and so talented – and they’ve done a lot less. I’ve been average but I’ve been lucky enough to have a good career.

“I’ve looked after myself and led a relatively healthy lifestyle.

“It goes to show if you work hard and make the most of limited ability, you can still go far.”

Sullivan says he won’t become a stranger to Huntington Stadium, and has called on fans to stick by the club, too, following relegation.

“I’ll be coming to watch next year,” he said.

“I’m not sure all fans realise how tough this league is. It’s the second tier of rugby league. It’s a tough league. It was always going to be tough this season as the league gets better every year.

“Hopefully we’ll be back this time next year. I’m sure we’ll do well next season and the club can keep on developing a lot of youngsters.

“Kriss Brining’s potential as a young player – I’m sure in the next few years he will be captain. The future is bright.”

Knights skipper James Ford paid a glowing tribute to his team-mate.

“Not many people play prop in the Championships for over ten years from a young age – and he’s always been a constant performer,” he said.

“He’s been York’s best forward for the last couple of years (since returning to Huntington Stadium), and he’s been a fantastic role model.

“Any school that he teaches at will be very fortunate. I’ll miss him as a friend as well as a colleague.”