Burgess: Hardest year
- George Burgess discusses his decision to part company with Wigan Warriors.
- Burgess: “2020 was the hardest year of my career and they [Wigan] supported me throughout.”
- Watch the full interview on Wigan TV today.
George Burgess has spoken openly about his challenges of the last year and why a hip injury has lead to the prop forward parting with Wigan Warriors.
On Wednesday morning it was announced that the 28-year-old would leave the Club by mutual consent on medical grounds. Click here to read the full statement.
Speaking candidly to Wigan TV about the decision, Burgess said: “I came to this Club wanting to win Super Leagues and really make my mark in the competition. It’s been an absolutely gutting time for me.
“The Club have been so nice to me and so welcoming over last year. 2020 was the hardest year of my career and they supported me throughout.”
His debut campaign for the Warriors was ultimately hampered by an ongoing hip injury, meaning Burgess managed eight appearances in 2020, scoring one try.
The prop forward explained how it was through no missing work ethic that his fitness succumbed to the injury over the course of the season.
“It’s not through lack of effort. I’ve worked my nuts off to get my body right and my fitness good, but unfortunately the injury has just caught up with me. It’s now time to take the next step and get the operation done and get it fixed.
“At the end of the day I need a quality of life, and last year I wasn’t having that. I was in pain most of the time and I still am.”
Despite an expected long lay-off and plenty of hard work ahead, the driven Burgess is hopeful that he will see more professional Rugby League in the future.
“It could be the end of my playing days, but I’m hopeful that when I get this surgery done over a good amount of time and don’t rush it, I’ll be able to get back to full fitness.
“That’s why I don’t want to be a burden to the Club next year spending another season recovering.
“I don’t want to be ‘that’ player. I want to be leading the Club, putting in great performances and winning trophies. I’m not a player who wants to sit on the sidelines.”
Hear more from George as he discusses the details of his injury, the support of Wigan Warriors and more on his future on Wigan TV. Click here to watch today.
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