By Aston
August 3 2006

Town defender Gerard Nash has decided to retire from playing football and go into coaching instead.

The 20-year-old defender has been hampered a lot during his short career by two major knee injuries which ruled him out for two seasons, he was released by Joe Royle at the end of last season but Jim Magilton gave him a chance to continue his career at Town but the injuries have forced him retire early.

 

Nash: “I made up my mind after the friendly at Bury earlier this week that I couldn't play at the level I want to, I was struggling to get through the 90 minutes, the twisting and turning was a real problem and I wasn't doing myself justice.

 

“I knew that it wasn't fair on the Club, the manager and myself so I've made a decision to call it a day. Jim has been fantastic to me and I owe him so much and honesty is one thing that I can give him in return.

 

“It's a sad time but life goes on and there are far worse things in life. Rather than look back, I want to push on and coaching is a challenge that I would like to take up.

 

“I've spoken to Bryan Klug and there maybe something that can be sorted out for me here in terms of learning the coaching trade.

 

“You can't beat playing but coaching is the next best thing and it's a path that I would like to follow.”

 

Source: Ipswich Town – the official website

 

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