Greg Bateman’s message to Leicester Tigers fans after announcing retirement
He spent five years at Mattioli Woods Welford Road before leaving in 2020
Former Leicester Tigers prop Greg Bateman has announced his retirement from rugby.
The 32-year-old spent five years at Mattioli Woods Welford Road before leaving in 2020 when players were offered an ultimatum to sign a new contract with a pay cut due to the financial pressures brought on by the global pandemic. Manu Tuilagi, Telusa Veainu and Kyle Eastmond all left at a similar time.
Bateman, who made more than 90 Tigers appearances, joined the Dragons in 2020 but recently revealed he was calling it a day to focus on his People’s Captain craft beer brand.
He launched the business in 2020 on a mission to not only raise money for important initiatives but to be a force for good and use the social nature of craft beer to bring people together and make those social moments count.
“I’m retiring from rugby to continue to support the exciting growth of People’s Captain,” he said. ” I’m incredibly grateful to all the coaches, medics and staff that have helped and supported me for the last 12 seasons. I also want to thank the supporters, particularly the Welford Road faithful, who were so compassionate in my hardest times – I’ll never forget that. Thank you to four fantastic clubs who’ve shaped me as a player and a person.”
Surrey-born Bateman spent time at London Welsh and Exeter Chiefs before joining Tigers in 2015.
He began brewing beer as a hobby, but after a difficult period of mental health struggles, he had a life-changing beer with a best mate. The pint with his close friend at a pub saved his life because it finally got him to talk about his feelings.
