Whitehaven fans will have the chance to show their appreciation of Jessie Joe Parker on Sunday at the final scheduled home game with Halifax.
Parker, 36, is retiring and holding a series of testimonial events which will include a bucket collection at the ground during the Championship fixture.
Coach Gary Charlton is hoping to give the popular Papua New Guinea international a farewell appearance but still hasn’t definitely decided on his line-up as Haven chase the final play-off place.
Charlton said: “Jessie is a very good professional rugby player who is adored at Whitehaven by players and fans. He has been a pleasure to coach.
“Jessie was always a handful to coach against and he has the respect of opposing players and coaching staff. That’s how you know he has been a good player for a lot of years. We all wish him all the best in the future.”
Parker has spent eight years with the Whitehaven club, scoring over 100 tries, and has become more than just a player as he’s a popular member of the community where he has contributed much.
He first came to the UK on the back of an outstanding World Cup, originally signing for Wakefield before moving onto Whitehaven, via Featherstone, where he is still fondly remembered after spending a successful year there in which he scored 17 tries in 15 appearances.
Whitehaven’s chief executive Andrew Canavan said: “The club would like to put on record it’s sincere thanks to Jesse Joe for his eight years of fantastic service, not only to the club but to the whole area.
“Along with being a legend in West Cumbria, Jesse is also a hugely popular figure back home in Papua New Guinea, such is his standing in the game.
“A tough as teak centre both in the UK and on the international stage, Jesse will always be fondly remembered not only for his fantastic try record but also his selfless work in the community.
“He always made time to spend with local children even going into schools to help local children there. One amazing story that is regularly discussed is Jesse walking by the welfare at Kells where there were quite a few children playing rugby amongst themselves.
“Jesse went to the shop bought them all a drink and then spent a great deal of time coaching them that day.
“Jesse has made the area his home and I sincerely hope that despite him announcing his retirement, that it isn’t the last we see of him working in the sport that he loves, in the area that loves him back in equal measures.
“It has been a pleasure getting to know Jesse since my involvement with the club in 2018. He is a wonderful person and one who always gives 110% every time he takes to the field.
“There will be bucket collections at Sunday’s game and I hope the fans get behind this and all the events that his testimonial committee have planned, especially the launch night.
“That is on Friday the 17th September in the Marchon club when the guest speaker is Adrian Morley and tickets are still available. Please contact either Frenchy, Craig Calvert, Shaun Drinkwater or the testimonial Facebook page to book tickets.”
