A RUGBY player who feared his days on the pitch were over after losing a limb is now thrilled to be back competing with a new disability team.

Wayne Cox, from Winsford, had his leg amputated two years ago due to severe pain from a club foot.

The 38-year-old dad-of-two was suicidal in the aftermath of the operation and rarely left the house.

But a physically disabled rugby league team established two years ago got him out and active again and introduced him to a ‘new family’.

Wayne joined the Warrington Wolves Charitable Foundation team at the start of the season and says playing again has transformed his life.

Wayne said: “Twelve months ago, I wasn’t on this planet – I was suicidal and I tried to kill myself twice.

“The only thing that was keeping me going was my two kids, I wouldn’t leave the house.

“I used to play rugby union, but I didn’t know there were any sports out there for disabled people.

“When I met these lads, they welcomed me in with open arms.

“I’ve made a new family – I wear the badge with pride now and go out and give 110 per cent.

“I couldn’t thank the club, the team and the coaches enough – it’s fantastic what they’re doing for people with disabilities.”

Wayne competed with the Warrington Wolves Charitable Foundation Team in the first physical disability rugby league Grand Final at the weekend, beating Wakefield 10-4 in the final at Selby RUFC near Leeds.

Having clinched the League Leaders’ Shield after finishing top of the six-team PDRL Super League, the Wire ended the weekend’s inaugural finals series with a historic double.

The Warrington Wolves Charitable Foundation team defeated Castleford Tigers 4-0 in the semi-final and backed up the performance in the final later in the same afternoon.

Wolves head coach Steve Price visited the PDRL side’s training session on Tuesday night to give the squad a pep talk ahead of the big game.

Team captain Adams Hills, comedian and host of Channel 4’s the Last Leg, is also a member of the squad.

“To have Steve Price come down and talk to us, and for him to say what he said, shows just how much regard the first team have for us and for what we do for the club,” said Hills.

“What takes us above the other teams is that we’ve got the best team spirit.

“I haven’t seen the other teams’ WhatsApp groups, but I would say they’re nowhere near as much fun as ours.

“We’ve just knuckled down and for the past month or so we’ve been focussing on these finals.”