Goalkeeper Andy Collet Forced To Retire

Goalkeeper Andy Collet Forced To Retire

Darlington number one Andy Collett has been forced to retire from football due to a shoulder injury. The Middlesbrough born shot stopper has spent much of the season in the treatment room battling to recover from a recurring shoulder injury and a punctured lung. Unfortunately for Darlington he has lost his battle and decided to hang up his gloves for good.

Collett missed all of the pre-season due to injury and surprisingly made it back in time for the opening match against Hull City. Unfortunately his season has been blighted by injury and he has managed just ten starts all season. The last of which was in the Carling Cup second round match at Wolves.

Collett has been no stranger to injury during his Darlington time and had the misfortune to suffer a serious injury nearly every season. It was perhaps this which stopped him playing at a higher level, something which he was clearly capable off as he demonstrated on many occasions whilst wearing the number one jersey.

To say that Collett will be missed is a massive understatement his performances in between the sticks were at times the stuff of legends. Performances at Cheltenham, Bristol Rovers and against the old enemy Hartlepool United all spring to mind. The last of which saw Andy play with a broken finger. His presence on the team sheet always gave you a fighting chance of getting a result no mater who the opposition.

Always a contender for goalkeeper of the season Collett organised the back line in front of him with an unmatched authority. Great reflexes and a great shot stopping ability made him one of the best to pull on the number one shirt and he shall be greatly missed. Andy played over 140 games for Darlington after his move from Bristol Rovers in 1999.

It is a great shame that Collett has had to give up the game and I'm sure I join all Darlington fans in wishing Andy every success in the future in whatever he decides to do.

Source: The-Tinshed.net

Picture by Dafts.co.uk

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