Dean Blackwell forced to retire

Last updated : 04 September 2004 By Bob Gear
Dean is understandably upset at this development. The Club have announced his retirement earlier than the player would have wanted due to a report in the Argus.

Manager Mark McGhee paid tribute to the defender on the Official Site

"We know that Dean was one of the truly proven players at this level and above.

"So from our point of view we'd always hoped that when we got to this stage we would have him back, because we know his ability.

"It's a blow for us, we've lost a good player.

"However, more importantly, it is a devastating blow for a boy who has got the desire and general fitness to play at this level. It's always a terrible blow.

"All we can do is give him as much support as we can to help him go on to what he's going to do next."

Physio Malcolm Stuart said

"We went to a specialist, Timothy Briggs, on the advice of Robin Turner [club surgeon].

"They both believed Dean shouldn't try to play again and Dean has accepted this. It's very sad when any player has to retire through injury.

"In Dean's case he has worked particularly hard to recover, but for the sake of his health he was left with very little option other than to retire. "