Stone close to quitting
13 Nov 2006 - 14:48:14
Veteran Leeds United midfielder Steve Stone has played his last match for the club and is on the verge of retiring from the game.
Injuries have restricted the 35-year-old former England international to only seven starts for the Championship strugglers since his transfer from Portsmouth almost 18 months ago.
Chairman Ken Bates said: "Steve Stone has played his last game for us. Discussions are taking place with a view to him retiring on heath grounds.
"To be fair to the lad, he's had wretched luck with injuries, but life must move on."
Manager Dennis Wise added: "He's had a good innings and he was honest with me. I said he wouldn't be involved and I wouldn't put him through it."
Stone started his career with Nottingham Forest and also starred for Aston Villa and Pompey.
"He won nine caps for England and was part of Terry Venables' squad at Euro 96.