Hartson admits defeat as he quits
Former Albion striker John Hartson has retired at the age of 32 after admitting defeat in his battle to stay in shape.
he ex-Celtic striker was released by the Baggies 10 days ago and he has now confirmed he is hanging up his boots.
Hartson was frozen out for most of the season by Albion boss Tony Mowbray as he struggled for fitness and saw Kevin Phillips, Ishmael Miller, Roman Bednar and Craig Beattie leave him trailing in the race for places.
He said: "They say you should go down the leagues and just play for enjoyment because it will be easier. It isn't.
"I have been fighting my weight for 12 years. I can't have a burger without putting on half a stone."
Hartson, who won 50 caps, has decided to quit rather than play on in the lower leagues.
He said: "A part of my life has been winding down and, yes, I'm going to miss that competitive edge. That was my weekend, after all, letting off steam and terrorising centre-halves.
"I'm not going to miss training though. To be honest I'd lost my desire to get back into the West Brom side."
And Hartson admitted he now understood a warning for Gordon Strachan when the Celtic boss allowed him to move to The Hawthorns in 2006. "Gordon warned me the fire inside me would go some day and now it has. You don't get that back," Hartson said.
The striker who began his career at Luton and had spells with Arsenal, West Ham, Wimbledon and Coventry, and a loan at Norwich, was not prepared to end his playing career at a low level.