Sean O’Loughlin OBE: Wigan Warriors legend recognised by Queen

Former Wigan captain Sean O’Loughlin has been awarded an OBE in The Queen’s Birthday Honours for his services to rugby league.

O’Loughlin’s Most Excellent Order of the British Empire award follows on from his 19-year playing career and his two years so far as an Wigan’s assistant head coach.

The one-club man had an illustrious playing career, playing 459 games and winning 10 major honours with Wigan. He captained 

Sean O’Loughlin on OBE

On receiving an OBE, O’Loughlin said: “It’s a strange one for me. You never expect anything like that. It doesn’t enter your mind that you could get one. It does feel strange when I’ve done something I’ve enjoyed doing for so long.

“This is something I’ve been awarded for being around for the amount of time I have. It’s never felt like a service, it’s me doing something I enjoy. It’s something I’ve loved doing.”

On the invitation to Buckingham Palace to receive his OBE, he said: “I’ve seen pictures of other people doing it in the past and what the occasion is – it should be great and it’s something I look forward to doing.

“When I received the letter, it had a Royal emblem on it. I thought it was a speeding ticket at first! It came as a bit of surprise.”

Wigan coach Matt Peet on O’Loughlin

Wigan head coach, Matt Peet, added: “I’m very proud. It’s so fitting. We see him as a Wiganer and everything we want the Club to stand for – Sean epitomises it in his hard work but mainly his humility as an outstanding player and one of the best players in our Club’s existence.

“He’s continuously the most humble man in the building and that’s why we love him. He’s just a top man and someone everyone in the Club can learn from and does learn from on a daily basis. He’s turned into a fine Coach as well.

“I’m just glad he’s on our team, he deserves the accolade. It means everyone in the Club and in the game can celebrate a real positive role model for rugby league.”