Nutty retires - A true Arsenal hero hangs up his boots.

Last updated : 23 July 2003 By Chris Parry
Nutty - Barnstorming left back!
He told Sky Sports: "At 39 I don't think I'm capable of playing in the Premier League any longer. I always said I would like to finish at the top. My father died in April and that made me realise there is life after football."

"I said to my agent he could have a look around for me and see if any clubs were interested, but the longer it went on and the more I thought about it it occurred to me that maybe it's time for me to give something back to my family," the Coventry-born left-back added.

He didn't hesitate when asked for his favourite memory:

"The first league title in 1989 when we won at Anfield. We really should have won the league three or four games before and looked like we were going to lose it to Liverpool but then we went up there and won. To do the double in 1998 will stay in my mind as well.

"You just have to move on and accept your time is up. It's difficult to accept for a while, but other people have done it and I'm sure I will cope.

"I would like to try and do a bit of a media work, but I will just wait and see if any offers come in and spend some time with my family."

I wish him well in his retirement. He provided the club with years of great service, and me with fantastic entertainment.

Good luck Nutty.