BBC SPORT | Rugby League | Super League | Warrington in Cullen's blood

As disappointed as Whitehaven must be at losing coach Paul Cullen, it was always likely that he would return to Warrington.

The 39-year-old spent most of his rugby league career with the Wolves, joining them as a youngster from local club Crosfields in November 1980.

I am at Warrington because I couldn't walk away from the fight

Paul Cullen

Loose forward Cullen went on to play 348 games for Warrington over the next 16 years.

And by the time he retired in August 1996, the Lancashire representative had notched up 56 tries and a total of 217 points.

His association with Warrington did not end when he retired from the field, as he became under-21 coach and assistant coach to Darryl van de Velde for the next four years.

Cullen left in August 2000 to take the reins at Northern Ford Premiership Whitehaven, where he acquitted himself well, notching up a 56% win rate.

Paul Cullen
Cullen played 348 games for Warrington
His achievements did not go unnoticed, and he became Lancashire's assistant coach in the 2002 Origin Series.

Cullen has also provided commentary for Super League games, and it was always likely that the lure of top-flight rugby league would prove too tempting.

"The only disappointment for me in the whole of this is that I haven't finished the job that I promised I would at Whitehaven," he told www.superleague.co.uk.

"But needs must; I am at Warrington because I couldn't walk away from the fight."


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