Derby County FC

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• Manager:Nigel Clough

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Injury forces Stubbs to retire

20 Aug 2008 - 10:29:39

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Veteran Derby County defender Alan Stubbs has been forced to retire after suffering a recurrence of a serious knee injury.

Stubbs, 36, has called time on his 18-year professional career after the same problem that ended his 2007/08 season flared up again.

The former Bolton Wanderers, Celtic and Everton defender managed just eight appearances for the Rams after joining them in January.

The Liverpool-born defender ended the season on the sidelines after requiring surgery.

Stubbs, who made almost 600 career first-team appearances, suffered a recurrence of the same injury during the first game of the new Championship season and has now decided to hang up his boots.

"It's a blow because Alan is not just a great player and organiser, he is also a fantastic leader and a great human being," chairman of football Adam Pearson told the club's official website.

"The way he has handled himself over this injury and being forced to call it a day is testament to the kind of person he is."