Charlie Gubb retires after nearly joining London

Former Widnes forward Charlie Gubb has hung up his boots, aged just 28.

The New Zealander joined the Vikings ahead of the Qualifiers last season but was released following their relegation from Super League.

Gubb was closing to signing a deal with London Broncos during the off-season but the Broncos decided against offering him a contract.

“He has left rugby league and he is doing a teaching job in Wellington,” Gubb’s manager, Frank Endacott, told Foxsports.com.au.

“I doubt he could come back to the game unless there was an offer which was good enough, and I think he’s pretty disillusioned.

“I know the scene in England pretty well and he was ready to sign with the London Broncos.

“He would have been one of their top line players and I offered them Charlie on a plate, but then they chose to stick loyal with the players that had got them promoted.”