POPULAR wingman Tommy Makinson sat down in front of the Saints cameras yesterday to issue a heart-felt message to the supporters after announcing he is departing.
The Wigan-born flankman has been a key component of Saints’ glory years since being handed his debut by Royce Simmons in the on-the-road year in Widnes in 2011.
There have been some tough years along the way, but they have been more than outweighed by successes.
And Makinson has played a key role in the way Saints have played for more than a decade with his set-starting hard carries being valued every bit as much as his flamboyant one-handed corner flag finishes.
He was a try scorer in Saints’ tight win in the infamous 2014 Grand Final victory over Wigan when he collected Paul Wellens’ chip to grab the winner.
Five years later he dropped a late goal in Saints’ Old Trafford success over Salford despite dislocating his shoulder during the game.
And a year later his last second drop goal attempt rattled the upright and led to Jack Welsby grabbing the rebound to score the most famous Grand Final try in history against Wigan in the behind the closed doors final.
His dashes down the wing and acrobatic leaps into the corner have been replicated by hundred of youngsters across the land.
And his departure will leave so many fond memories.
Makinson said: “It’s been the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make, playing here for so long – 14 years – and creating so many special memories. This club has been so good to me, it’s the greatest club of all.
“I think we are a great group, one that holds each other accountable, we work harder than most we pride ourselves on working harder than the rest, and are coached by a great group of staff, and for the people behind the scenes.”
“The bonds that I’ve made with the people of the town, the staff, I could never ever ask for anything more in my wildest dreams from being a 14/15-year-old kid turning up to train at Knowsley Road and fast forward the clocks I’m sat here at 30-odd and we’ve achieved so much together. I am so grateful to you all for that, so thank you.”
Makinson has played 325 times for Saints, scoring 199 tries, 273 goals and a drop goal for a tally of 1,343 points so far.
He admits it will be hard not to be wearing the red vee next season.
He said: “This is the club of my dreams, St Helens will always be my club but sometimes opportunities come up that you can’t turn down and you jump in with both feet.
“I could have quite easily stayed here for another couple of years and enjoyed the success and the memories that last a lifetime but I have made the decision now.
“Sometimes you have to dive in but that is what inspires me.
“I have been so loved here and so supported and I know I will probably never feel that ever again – for a lad from Wigan, signing at 15, to be taken on board by the town of St Helens and the fans and the staff at the club.
“But I am also excited for the next generation as well and I know that the team behind me has built such strong foundations – James Roby, Paul Wellens, Paul Sculthorpe, Chris Joynt and then going way back to Tom van Vollenhoven.
“You look at the foundations that have been set here and we stand on the shoulders of giants here and I like to think that have had my own impact here and can leave memories for those coming behind me to be inspired by.”
Makinson will join Lewis Dodd in departing at the end of the year, with no other departures announced as yet.
He is determined to go out on a high note and is targeting his sixth Super League winners ring.
“I want to finish on the best possible terms, like I’ve always done I’ll give my absolute all, I want to sign off with a Grand Final win, not selfishly I want to win another Grand Final with this group because we deserve it,” Makinson said.
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