Sam Hutchinson Retires

I found out about Sam Hutchinson's retirement first thing this morning and although I am not surprised it was a gutting piece of news to wake up to and no doubt the day started off in a bad way. The day improved till lunchtime then it went completely belly-up and I finally got home from work at about 5pm.

All day I had been thinking about what to write about Sam and to be honest their isn't really anything more that I can add to what has already been written about the young man during the course of today (Friday).

For an aspiring 21 year old to have to 'retire' before he has even started, must be a gut wrencher, heartbreaking.

Not just only for Sam but for his family, his friends and of course everybody connected to Chelsea Football Club.

Sam joined Chelsea at the age of nine.

He made his way through the ranks - Academy, Reserves and finally the first-team where his last piece of action came as a second-half substitute in the 7-0 rout of Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge last season.

His brilliant cross, one of his first touches, enabled Super Frank to score that super flick volley, leaving Friedel stranded at the Matthew Harding End.

I was fortunate to speak to Sam during the course of last season and his attitude smacked of determination that he would recover from the injured knee that had blighted him since 2006 and he insisted that he would continue his career as a professional footballer.

Alas it was not to be.

Sam will remain at Chelsea, working with the Academy where his experience will be extremely beneficial, and Sam is planning to study Sport Sciences at University where one day he could become a first-class coach.

Although 'Anco' the boss has only been in charge at Chelsea for just over a year he said on receiving the news, "We are sad, disappointed about this, he decided to retire after very strong work to recover from his injury.

"He was not able to do this but now we are together to look forward to support him in everything. He will start to study sports science, he will start to train with our Academy, and we would like that he stays in our family because he has a strong character and showed this during the years when he tried to recover from the injury.

"He is a very good man and can have a fantastic job here in Chelsea and support us with his character.

"Obviously he is sad now but he has to look forward, there are lots of things.

"You can't play but you can do different jobs in football, he loves football and we will support his passion."

GOOD LUCK SAM, WE WISH YOU ALL THE BEST