Yesterday we were all saddened by the news that former Ireland international Steven Reid retired from football, but today in a piece for Independent.ie, the former Blackburn midfielder revealed the details of how he went about calling an end to his playing career.
You may think that a moment of the magnitude of announcing your retirement from professional football may take place in a press conference, a dressing room, or even the manager's office, but while Reid had made clear his intentions to retire to his manager Sean Dyche months before hand, for him that moment came in the car-park of an Aldi supermarket.
At 10.55am yesterday morning, I pulled into the car park of an Aldi supermarket which I pass on the way to training every day. The rain was pouring down and I deliberately parked in the furthest corner so nobody could see me. It was a strange place to announce my retirement from football, a setting which doesn't really tie in with the glitz and glamour of the Premier League.
The reason was because Reid had a deadline to meet. With Burnley scheduled to tweet out an announcement at 11:00 am, Steven wanted to add a personal touch by confirming his decision on his twitter account before the news broke, and he continued to reveal how doing so effected him emotionally.
It is with a heavy heart that I announce my retirement from professional football at the end of the current season.There has been many highs
— STEVEN REID (@stevenreid12) May 18, 2015
2.. and lows during my 17yr career and I would like to thank everybody, especially family, who have been part of the wonderful journey.
— STEVEN REID (@stevenreid12) May 18, 2015
I pressed send and had a complete meltdown. The tears flowed as the phone lit up with overwhelming messages from friends and fans. There was no turning back now. All the emotion that I'd bottled up came out. I was a wreck - and glad I'd parked in a remote spot.
How did I feel when the tears dried? Honestly, I felt proud.
As well you should Steven.
While injuries many have hampered the number of appearances he made for Ireland and indeed the Premier League teams he played for, his determination to continually bounce back was inspirational and his career will be fondly remembered, not least for moments such as this:
via Independent.ie
