we;ve been missing the back row version of him this year.

I would agree with the above thoughts, he's given outstanding value for money, longevity, he's a club icon and probably does go into legend status.

Simply a Legend, never took a backwards step and gave everything he had every game. Absolutely brilliant player for us and has given so many memories i'll cherish forever

Agree with everything above. What a fantastic player and one of the best SL second rowers and also in the all time Wire pack. Tough, strong, pacy, aggressive and a great team player - he'd always be first in to back up his team mates.

In his prime, he would be levels above anything in SL second row at the moment and the Aussies called him 'a machine'- praise doesn't come much higher. An absolute legend at Warrington and I'm so pleased he's been retained by the club, he really deserves it after putting a decade and a half of his body on the line for us week in week out.

All the best Super Ben. We're going to miss you on the field but so great that your staying with us. A true all time great Wire.

(I really hope Benny gets directed to this forum to see the comments and see how much we all appreciate his fantastic era with us).

The last player too play at wilderspool from the current squad.

Legend of the club and big shoes too fill.

Thank you sbw.

One of those players that you loved to watch play.

Hope he gets to be a part of the squad that wins the Grand Final for the first time, whether he plays or not.

Look forward to giving him a huge ovation for the rest of the season.

Ah, sliding doors moments.

After that disastrous start to the 2002 season when we were well in the relegation battle, Steve Anderson stepped down, Plange came in and we got told the board were going to release funds for a major signing to help our fight for survival. The trade papers linked us with the Aussie Paul McGregor, Plange said he wanted someone young who could be part of the team for a long time.

We then found out who it was, Neil Turley. He'd broken all those records at Leigh and kicked goals as well. Seemed like the man of the moment, was linked with Leeds and other clubs. Then we kept hearing how we were near to an agreement but Turley's camp wanted more, until the club got fed up of the back and forth and we missed out on the signing.

So then we switched to Westwood. Plange said he thought he could become the next Keith Senior. We were looking for a hard running centre who could hit holes out wide. The verdict from the Wakefield fans at the time was that Westwood had broken through with promise but had started to tail off after a bright start, and real talent was Gareth Ellis. When we signed Westwood with Nat Wood, it created a lot of bad feeling, us raiding a relegation rival for two of their best players, although they really needed those transfer fees at the time.

Nat Wood was instrumental in saving us from relegation. Westwood not so much. He had power but lacked pace and agility. Over the next two and a half years he was in our team at centre/wing, scoring a few tries but never really looking like a top player. He wasn't bad, but he wasn't the player we thought we were signing. Actually I think we got that when we next went to raid Wakefield, for Ryan Atkins.

While Westwood trod water with us, Ellis went on to be one of the top players in SL, and earned himself a move to Leeds. At the start of 2005 it was hard not to agree that we'd signed the wrong one. Then I think we had an injury crisis or something and Cullen put him in the pack and he was a revelation. I think he might have played front row in those early days in the pack never mind back row. For the next decade he was top class, year after year. He was never the next Keith Senior, the irony was he was closer to being the next Gareth Ellis. He didn't have the allround game of Ellis perhaps but in terms of longevity and overall contribution, Westwood was a better signing than Ellis would have been.

I'm sure he would have been a success in the NRL. Look how David Kidwell did over there. The Aussies would have loved Westwood. A one club stalwart, never sought glory or glamour, never slacked or hid. A real champ who for me holds the same sort of status as Mike Gregory and Lee Briers among the pantheon of former Wires.

I hope Ben has enjoyed wearing the primrose and blue over all these years.

Always 100% committed and the player you always need when the chips are down

Great competitor, great servant and true legend.

Great post Sally.

Loved watching SBW. He is the last player remaining from when I first started watching The Wire in the first season at the HJ. Always gave 100%. Happy Retirement Bennie.

SBW .... what a player, what a magnificent contribution. Take a bow and enjoy a well earned rest. We are going to miss you on the pitch for sure, nice to hear your will still be contributing off the pitch. Heck of a hole to fill

All the best Super Bennie Westwood...... a Wire legend

Mr Westwood, it would be an honour to shake you by the hand, say thank you and wish you all the very best for a successful and happy future, whether that is in this great (if somewhat sanitised) game of ours or elsewhere.

441 appearances for the Wire - a true legend and I hope we get to see you in the P & B again before the end of the season......hat trick Vs Stains next week perhaps??

From a fan of 40+ years, thank you

Agree with all the previous comments and off the pitch Benny is a genuine nice bloke. Made up that he's staying with the club. Enjoy your retirement SuperBen, you deserve it.

www.rugbyleagueproject.org has Ben playing these number of games by position. Wing 26 Centre 68 Front Row 10 Second Row 252 Lock (Loose Forward) 83 Bench 34 2005 was where he was changed to mainly Second Row and Loose Forward, he only played centre 4 times. He did play prop 4 times that year as well. August 1st 2004 last time he played Wing. August 31st 2007 last time he played Centre.

www.rugbyleagueproject.org has Ben playing these number of games by position. Wing 26 Centre 68 Front Row 10 Second Row 252 Lock (Loose Forward) 83 Bench 34 2005 was where he was changed to mainly Second Row and Loose Forward, he only played centre 4 times. He did play prop 4 times that year as well. August 1st 2004 last time he played Wing. August 31st 2007 last time he played Centre.

Very rarely in Rugby League do you get a player that can play so many different positions over such a long period of time. Obviously age plays a role, to develop & adapt his game from a Winger to Prop over time is a very special talent and all credit to him. There isn’t many players in today’s game that you could genuinely see making that progression at the elite level as successfully as he has.

One of my favourite memories of Benny was in the 2010 CC final, we struggled for goal kicking that season & Super Ben took on the mantle. And him nailing the one from touchline for Hick’s spectacular second try always sticks in my mind, I remember having a wry smile to myself and I’m still baffled now as to how he got the nod as goal kicker! Not forgetting that classy cover tackle on Ryan Hall when he looked to break through & score in the first half..

Thanks for the memories Super Benny.

There's only one sbw, and it isn't sonny bill