DEPARTED Giants hero Stanley Gene has admitted his major regret following his move to Bradford Bulls is that he couldn't say a proper goodbye to the fans.
The 31-year-old Papua New Guinean captain, pictured, completed a lightning move to the Super League champions on the same day he jetted off for a two-month holiday back home.
That didn't give him the time to say a fond farewell to the Huddersfield fans he has grown to love during his five years at the club.
But having now returned to England for pre-season training at the Bulls, he is looking to make amends - and believes the Giants fans can continue to enjoy themselves in his absence.
"Everything happened so quickly that I didn't have the time to thank everyone for their support during my five fantastic years here," said Gene.
"I was absolutely gutted about that and, to be honest, I was gutted about leaving the club.
"While I've been here, I've seen the club go from Super League wooden spoonists to top-six contenders, which should be the case again.
"But when the club told me they couldn't give me an extra year (to stay until 2007) and the Bulls offered me a two-year contract, I really couldn't turn it down. They were offering me the security I needed at this stage of my career.
"It was an opportunity I couldn't refuse."
