Barry – Football Shouldn’t Be Taken For Granted

Gareth Barry has said that the early retirement of Martin Laursen should remind all players to not take their time on the pitch for granted.

Speaking on the official site on the retirement on Laursen he called it devestating for both the player and the club, calling on Martin to look back at his time in claret and blue with a ‘great deal of pride’.

‘It is devastating news for Martin and for the club.

‘He has performed magnificently – not only this season but in previous ones too. He has been really immense.

‘I had a quiet word with him just before he announced his decision on Friday. You could tell he was very emotional and very upset but I told him all the lads wished him well for the future.

‘I told him he has had a great career and that he should get his feet up now and enjoy the rest of his life.

‘This sort of news makes you appreciate playing football. When something like this happens, it just reinforces the need to give 100 per cent every time you step out on to that pitch. You have to respect the game because you never know when your career is going to end.’

It should be a sobering moment for all footballers when things like this happen, it’s a short, albeit more than well paid career at the best of times without factoring in injuries and the like.

Be nice to see Martin back in the game at some point though in a coaching capacity, he could work wonders with youngsters coming through – not least in helping to teach them to show the same attitude we always saw from him.