2020 Chris Hill Testimonial Brochure

From Hilly’s first day, it was clear we had picked up a
special talent. He had plied his trade for a number
of years with Leigh, earning a reputation as the best
forward in the second tier, so came with a bit of a wrap.
Pre-season is a tough gig, and Hilly would have
been allowed time to get up to speed, but he didn’t
need it, his fitness was unbelievable, with big, thick
forearms and a neck like a bull, he was always one
to avoid when wrestling!! These physical attributes
and a desire to consistently improve, formed the
foundation of his career to date. A career where his
performances have had a very narrow gap
between his best and worst.
Hilly just went from strength to strength, and quickly
became an important player for Wire and England.
It was always a pleasure to play with Hilly, his
consistency was reassuring, providing confidence
to those around him in the same way
Super Benny and big Moz did. This had him down as
the first name on the sheet for me.
Off the pitch, Hilly is a good family man with Kathryn
and the kids ever present, along with his mum and dad,
enjoying the highs and getting him through the lows.
He comes a very close second when it comes to the
tightest I’ve played with - Higham is still the master!!
Congratulations on your testimonial Chill, much
deserved mate.
Simon Grix
Chris initially played for Wigan St Pats, a year above
his age group, in the under 8’s and played that well
that no-one would have known he was only 6 at the
time!
When I started to coach the Wigan St. Pats Under
7’s, it took me several years before I could persuade
Chris to play at his own age group, and join my
under 13’s team, where he then played alongside
his current team mate Stefan Ratchford.
Chris was a welcome addition to strengthen our pack.
He always gave it 100%, and his determination to
succeed was evident in those early years. Chris played
for me for 2 years before joining New Springs Lions in
Aspull, where he went on to sign for Leigh. My cousin
was an avid Leigh fan and would report back that
Wigan had missed out on a very good player that was
improving all the time.
He got his deserved Super League debut with
Warrington following in the footsteps of the great
Mike Gregory. I have met up with Chris several
times, the last being at a MENCAP charity do where
he was the guest speaker. It’s nice to know that
Chris has not just had a very successful Rugby
League career that has resulted in England and
Great Britain honours, but that he is a great person
both on and off the pitch.
Oh, and by the way, my wife Carol said thanks for
sorting the new bathroom lol.
Mike Carney - Former Wigan St.Pats Junior
Coach.
I first met Chris when he signed for Leigh at
16 years old, I was coaching the under 18s
Academy at this time. Chris had signed for the club,
along with 20 other players who were meant to be
the club’s under 16s Academy, but unfortunately,
the team was refused entry into the under 16s
academy league and all the players had to step up
and play for the under 18s, which was a massive step
up, playing against lads two years older than you.
Unfortunately quite a few of the players found this
step up hard , but not Chris - he was made captain
of the team and always lead from the front
playing in the front row at 16 years old at that level was
unbelievable, especially when he signed for the
club as a centre. He went from strength to strength,
and it was clear at an early age what he was going
to achieve later in his career. It did not surprise me
one bit when he soon got into the first team at Leigh
Centurions and all coaches at the club knew that it
was only a matter of time before one of the big clubs
came in to take him to another level. That club was
Warrington, where it has been a privilege to watch
him turn into one of the finest props the country has
produced. It has been fantastic watching him win
silverware at Warrington and also represent his
country. This has made all the coaching staff that
worked with him at Leigh very proud.
I am delighted that he has been rewarded with a
testimonial year and I hope it is very successful,
despite these testing times. Many congratulations
Chris and good luck for your future.
Kevin Anderton Leigh u18 Coach
I met Chris as a 16-year-old at Leigh in 2005. He was
a very shy lad around a group of super league players
who had already achieved in their careers. The thing that
struck me with Chris is that he wasn’t phased by anything.
He exhibited confidence in his own game and his
physical ability.
I remember after completing a very eventful
preseason warm weather camp in Spain, we played a
near full strength Wigan side at a packed out Hilton
Park. On the way to the match, a car full of players had
a car crash and were unavailable for the game. Chris
had to step up, and in typical Hilly fashion he absolutely
smashed it. He was my stand out player, leading from
the front, setting a great platform for a young Leigh team.
It’s been a pleasure to watch Chris grow as a player,
husband and father over the years.
I had the pleasure of spending time with him at the
World Cup in 2017 and was extremely proud to witness
him play for England in the final, and how he handled
things in typical Hilly fashion, still leading from the front.
I’d like to congratulate Chris on his achievements in
the great game of Rugby League and wish him all the
best for his testimonial. Although I can’t be there, I’ll
certainly be raising a beer in his honour from
New Zealand.
Tony Benson