Today is the day that every footballer knows will come but never looks forward to. After speaking with my family today I announce my retirement from playing the sport I love. I’ve been fortunate to have lived through a dream and which I’ve been able to share with the people closest to me. As a young boy from Reading who grew up watching his boyhood club to playing and scoring for them and being a part of the historic 106 club gaining promotion to the promised land. A young lad who dreamt of playing and scoring in the @premierleague to someone who represented @faireland 30 times and being part of the squad that went to Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine for the first time in nearly 30 years. I made over 500 appearances and scored over 130 goals for clubs and country taking me across the @premierleague @sky.bet.championship @league.one and most recently The @aleaguemen in Australia. I’d like to say thank you to all the managers who gave me a chance and to all the players and staff that I’ve had the pleasure to meet and play with in my career at @readingfc @brentfordfc @officiallyntfc @officialstfc @wba @officialnffc @bristolcityfc @sufcrootshall and @wswanderersfc you’ve all been amazing. To the supporters who I’ve played for I hope I did you proud it wasn’t always good times but I can always say I tried my best so thank you for your support. As much as i’m calling time on a playing career this is not the end in football for me. Since returning from Australia earlier this year I’ve been quietly going about seeking coaching/management roles but I never envisioned it being as challenging as it has been so far. I know that whoever gives me the opportunity to prove myself will see that I’m ready and raring to go with a career’s worth of experience and knowledge to pass on to the next generation of players. Whilst I’m closing the door and looking back fondly on a career I’ve been lucky to have had I’m generally excited for to the next chapter in football. Having now completed my UEFA A Licence and a Masters in Football