Mark Venus reflect's on the news of club captain Samuel Ricketts' retirement...
Mark Venus has praised the dedication and professionalism of defender Samuel Ricketts after the former Welsh international announced his retirement earlier in the week.
Ricketts, at the age of 35, has been advised to bring a premature end to his playing days following a serious knee injury. Venus said: “He has been fantastic since he joined the club, we’re all very disappointed with the news.
“It’s another stage of his career now. Unfortunately every footballer has to face this prospect, but he’ll be well prepared as to what he wants to do next.
“It’s a disappointment it has ended in this manner because he has been a fantastic asset to this football club and helped every single member of the squad improve over the past year or so.
“I’m sure coaching will be his next steps in the game, he may even become a manager at some point in his career. Whether it is at our football club at this moment I am unsure, it is something we need to sit down and discuss."
He added: “Sam does things in the correct way, he looks after himself and he is a really positive player to have around the training ground every day. It’s very disappointing he has had to retire, but he can certainly continue within the sport in a different capacity.”