World-class No 9 Lee Jackson makes honest confession about Leeds Rhinos exit

One of the greatest hookers of his genaration, Lee Jackson has stated that he regrets his Leeds Rhinos exit. The Great Britain international had a fantastic career and was part of the great side under Graham Murray that won the Challenge Cup in 1999. Jackson had come back from a wonderful three years playing for Newcastle Knights in the ARL, including a famous Grand Final success over Manly Sea Eagles, and was indeed at the height of his career. He helped Leeds win at Wembley for the first time in 21 years and had established himself as a fans’ favourite. However, at the age of 31, Jackson had a decision to make. “I had a good career; I thoroughly enjoyed what I did," he said. “But I obviously had a couple of regrets. One of them was leaving Leeds. That two years I was there was great and I could have had a third-year option. “That two years I was there was great and I could have had a third-year option. “But what I was looking for was a bit more stability; Hull offered me a two-year deal and a third-year option. “What Gary [Hetherington] said was that yes I could have the third year at Rhinos – but there was nothing after that. “I decided to go back to Hull, my hometown club where I’d started out. But I wish I had taken the Leeds deal as it was probably one of the worst decisions going back to Hull. “I didn’t envisage it ending up like that at all.” On his short Rhinos’ career, which ended with seven tries in 53 games, Wembley was undoubtedly the highlight. Source- Yorkshire Evening Post