As others have said I don't think it matters who you support but Vella has been a great servent to Rovers, The British game and RL as a whole.

Great player on his day and massive factor in why Rovers are still in SL.

A superb player. I'd never seen a prop as athletic as him when he came to the rovers. Quick, agile and strong. A great acquisition and a great servant to Hull KR and Rugby League.

One of our most important signings ever.

Almost kept us up on his own in 2007, and I'm sure that the amount of game time he put in in those first three seasons has meant that his career has ended being shorter than he ideally would have liked.

I know he's spoken about being very proud about being a one club man both at Parramatta and here, he can rightly be proud of everything he's done in his career in rugby league.

Thank you Michael Vella, a true warrior and a gentleman.

"Mick Vella, Vella,
He's big and he's Sorry mate that can't stay-RW hard,
He's played for Aust-ra-lia,
Mick Vella, Vella."

I thought it was he comes from Australia ave I been singing it wrong all this time sounds bout right for me

Probably is, if there's a chance of getting a song wrong, I will. I'm a bit mutton, particularly wherever there's a lot of background noise. Too much standing near the speakers at Back To Basics back in't day.

This is a very sad of not an unexpected day.
Yes Mick is busted and his best days are behind him but that doesn't mean I won't miss the big guy.
He has been nothing short of amazing in his time with us.
That plus let us not forget that he was the first to take a gamble on us.
Thankyou Mick from the bottom of my heart.
It will be strange not to have him around the place.

[sizeMICK VELLA

thank you mick for two things 1. giving back our pride back to us. 2. most of all getting us back where we belong. all the best in retirement and your name should go down in a new chapter in hull krs history.

Been an absolute star for us!!!

Pretty much sums it up.

Always led from the front, he will be missed. hullkr.co.uk/vella-to-retire-at-end-of-2011-588

Always led from the front, he will be missed. hullkr.co.uk/vella-to-retire-at-end-of-2011-588

All the best Mick in what eve you do in the future you will always be remembered at Rovers not only a great 110% player but a true gentleman,and there aint many of them on Oz

Quote from Vella on SKY text.

'The decision was made for me because I've not been offered a new contract, even though I had planned to play another year. I felt my body was good enough to play another year but I'm not 25 any more and teams are'nt willing to take a gamble on me.'

Mick may think he has another year in him but in reality he has put more work in, in his first two seasons for us which I think has worn him down, his knee has been heavily strapped for sum time now which slows u down however Mick can and has changed the games for us this season just by him been on the pitch, I really hoped rovers wud have given him a job in another capacity at the club, assistant coach maybe.

Very happy to have seen him in red & white, best of luck in whatever he dose. Our club owes him more than words can express. I just wish he had a younger brother (as good) or cloneing technology was more advanced.
Thanks Mick.