AS THE season draws to an exciting climax this weekend so does Thomas Armstrong’s time at Saints. But as he hangs up his red vee he starts a new life at university...

Last week the 22-year-old Saints winger started a Petroleum Engineering degree at Manchester University after his contract at Saints wasn’t renewed.

Armstrong signed a pro contract back in 2009 and since then has gone on to make 29 appearances notching up 16 tries.

He told The Star about leaving full-time rugby league behind and going back to school: “I made the decision to apply to university when I left college, I didn't want to put all my eggs in one basket.

“But then I signed a two year deal with Saints, then a one year extension, but all the while I was deferring my place at university because, although I made a number of appearances and did progress well in the three years.

“I just haven't managed to cement my place in the starting squad and unfortunately my contract is over and I haven't been offered a new one.

“But if that had been the case, then I would have definitely chosen to stay with Saints and try to forge a strong career, but as it stands I just can't pass up the opportunity to go to Uni.”

The four-year Petroleum Engineering (Master of Engineering) Degree will equip Tom with the skills and knowledge required to manage and operate oil fields effectively. But it’s not a walk in the park, as he said: “I started lectures last week and it's quite an intensive course. I'm in more or less nine to five, Monday to Friday, but I'm really enjoying it. It's good to get my thinking head on again and I know it sounds a bit geeky but I've actually missed doing Maths.”

Tom made his try-scoring debut for Saints back in 2009 against Warrington and since then he’s enjoyed successes with the first-team and the Academy. This season he signed a dual-contract with Leigh Centurions and he went on to score the winning try in the last minute of the Northern Rail Grand Final.

But as he swaps tackling pads for text books he looks back on his time at Saints fondly. He talks proudly of scoring his 30 tries in 14 appearances for the reserves last season and boasts that he holds the record for scoring all the points in the lowest scoring Super League ever, the 4-0 win over Celtic in 2009.

He added: “I've really enjoyed my time at Saints but obviously, with me being a perfectionist and driven, I don't enjoy getting dropped or left out of the squad. Every time I have been knocked back I have waited for a chance to steal a place in the team, but that sadly hasn't happened.

“There have been some big positives. I'd dreamed of playing for Saints and to get the chance to train and play with legends like Cunningham, Long and Gidley was a great honour and it taught me a lot.

“I'd really like to thank Saints fans who have given me the support over the years; you enjoy your rugby the most when you are playing and the fans are behind you so I'm really grateful for that.”

This might not be the last we have seen of Armstrong though. He might be leaving Saints behind but he’s not hanging up his rugby boots just yet. He plans to carry on playing around his studies and is on the lookout for a new club.