Spireites ace forced to quit
23 Oct 2006 - 14:27:14
Chesterfield defender Steve Blatherwick has been forced to retire on medical advice due to a long-standing back injury.
The 32-year-old has been trying to battle his way back to full fitness from the injury which has kept him on the sidelines since March, but he has now been forced to accept defeat.
Former Notts County and Nottingham Forest stopper, Blatherwick, who joined the Spireites from Burnley in 1998, has reached a settlement with the club and has been offered a benefit game at Saltergate.
He told the club's official website: "This is the moment all footballers dread, but the medical advice is clear-cut."
Boss Roy McFarland added: "Steve has been a magnificent professional and can be proud of his career.
"It is always a sad time when a player has to retire prematurely due to injury, but we wish him and his family all the best for the future."