Saturday fun day marks end of Steve Hanley's testimonial year (From Messenger Newspapers)

Saturday fun day marks end of Steve Hanley's testimonial year

10:07am Thursday 9th July 2009

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SALE Sharks’ tryscoring legend Steve Hanley completes his Testimonial Year with a gathering of great Sale names at Heywood Road on Saturday.

The match kicks off at 3pm and is the highlight of a day of celebration which starts at noon. There will be fun for all the family, including children’s activities, face painting, BBQ and post-match music at The ‘Little B’ featuring Paul Roberts, ex-lead singer of The Stranglers.

Speaking to the Messenger during the hectic build up to Saturday’s big day, Steve reviewed the programme of events during his twelve months, highlighting a dinner back in his native Cumbria and the golf day at Mere. He hopes that Saturday will be the ‘icing on the cake’.

“I wanted a way of getting everybody I know back together, and this seems the perfect way to do it,” he said.

“Some famous names are returning to Heywood Road, most of them to play one more time.”

Through the year, Steve’s been asked to name the playing highlights in a club career which saw him score 104 tries in 191 games before his enforced retirement through injury. His reply: “My own home Premiership debut against Gloucester in 1998, the Parker Pen Final win at Oxford in 2002 against 2002, and – although I didn’t actually play in the Final against Leicester – that whole 2005-6 season was something special. Sharks topped the Premiership and went on to take the play off crown.”

During the year, Steve – known in the game as ‘Stan’ - has had many happy memories revived, and recommends to every young player, “Keep the match programmes!”

He’s moved on to his present post in Business Development for Sharks. “I feel I can give something back to the club. It’s about getting among the community and engendering an interest, through hospitality events and doing some coaching.

“Also, after ten years of playing commitments, it’s nice to have the odd weekend free. I’ve become a Sale fan again, watching the game rather than the right winger opposing me!”

But, this Saturday, it’s a unique rugby festival which should bring back memories for many fans of the game.

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