Steve Price tells us why he is leaving Warrington Wolves

MT: It was confirmed on Wednesday that you’ll be leaving the club at the end of the season. Is this a decision you’ve been thinking about for a while?

SP: It’s only come about over the last couple of weeks, to be honest.

It’s got nothing to do with the club, it’s a purely family decision having spoken with my wife and children. It’s as simple as that.

Come the end of the season, we will have been here for four years and we felt the time was right.

Now it is out there, I’m just really driven and focused towards having a good last season.

MT: As you mentioned, you and your family have been here for nearly four years now – a long time to be so far away from home even under normal circumstances. Do you think things were coming to a natural end anyway or has the Covid situation accelerated things for you?

SP: I think with Covid, it’s been really difficult not just for me and my family but for everyone.

It was just one of those things – as a family we felt it was time to head home.

Steve Price with his three daughters - Sienna, Savannah and Sharni

MT: Looking back, you said you wanted to really get stuck in and involved with the community when you arrived. Are you proud of how you and your family have managed to do that in your time here?

SP: Yes I am. That was something I made a real aim on day one when we arrived.

It was something I wanted to invest heavily in and I feel as though I’ve done that. I’ll continue to do that right up until the day we leave.

Steve Price entertains the crowds at the 2019 St Roccos Starlight Walk. Picture by Mike Boden

MT: Something that plenty have commented on is the timing of this announcement – on the eve of a new season. Were there any concerns about getting it out there now?

SP: I wanted to be open and transparent with the club. They have been fantastic to me and I’d like to think that has worked both ways.

It gives the club the opportunity for the club to chase the best candidate and at the same time, it means I can give my whole focus to the task at hand which is Round One against Castleford.

The biggest thing for me – hand on heart – is that I’m driven to leave the club in better shape than what it was.

I want to keep being the best version of myself and challenging the boys to be better every day.

I feel we’ve had a really good pre-season, we’ve changed a couple of things up.

We just want to be able to solely focus on this season. I don’t want to even think about looking down the track.

Steve Price lifts the Challenge Cup following 2019's Wembley win over St Helens. Picture by Mike Boden

MT: How did the players react to the news when you told them?

SP: I think a few of them were pretty shocked.

There were a few guys who were a bit taken aback by it, as well as the staff.

As I said, I wanted to be honest and transparent.

Nobody is bigger than the club here and everybody is replaceable. We wanted to get ready for the season with no distractions.

MT: Through your conversations with them, are they as keen as you are to end your time together on a high note?

SP: That’s not something we’ve really discussed. We have our own goals as a team and they haven’t deviated regardless of what’s happening with me.

Everybody motivates themselves in different ways but as a collective, we’re driven towards achieving our goals.

Steve Price salutes the Wire fans following the 2018 Super League semi-final win over St Helens. Picture by Mike Boden