Time right to retire for veteran Ince

Walsall goalkeeper Clayton Ince has admitted his body told him it was time to quit and doesn't want to "float about" after announcing his retirement.

The 37-year-old will leave the Saddlers after tomorrow's final game of the campaign with Milton Kenyes Dons following four years with the club.

Ince has made 169 appearances for the Saddlers but lost his place to Rene Gilmartin in February and feels the time is right to step aside.

He said: "It wasn't an easy decision but when the time comes your body knows when to pull out.

"I've given a lot to the sport but now it's time to give more to family and friends, especially my kids. They are the reason why I've been in the sport so long I don't want to retire because of injury, I'd rather go when I'm still healthy.

"I didn't want to stay at the club and just being a squad player, receiving a salary and blocking a youngster from getting in. I think I've got enough from the sport that I don't want to stop any youngster from achieving what they want to achieve.

"I always put in 110 per cent and when you can't give 110 per cent again it doesn't make sense just to float about."

The Trinidad and Tobago international signed from Coventry in 2006 and helped the Saddlers to the League Two title in 2007 – which the player rates as of the best achievements in his career.

He said: "Coming to Walsall when the club was really down and bringing them back and bringing the joy back to the club was great.

"After back-to-back demotions, to get Walsall straight back up was something any club would like."

Manager Chris Hutchings saluted Ince but refused to give any clues if he will give the popular veteran a final swansong tomorrow.

He said: "We'll see how it goes, there's a lot of sentiment but we'll wait and see.

"Clayton has done extremely well and he's decided to call it a day. He's done very well and is a fans' favourite, he's such a likeable guy.

"He's been a fans' favourite wherever he's been so it's testament to him, but he feels the toll of training every day is catching up with him."