Ex-Everton defender Alan Stubbs forced to quit
FORMER Everton defender Alan Stubbs's knee injury has forced him to hang up his boots.
Stubbs, a passionate Evertonian who fulfilled his lifetime's ambition of playing for the club over two spells left Goodison Park for a second time during the January transfer window to join Derby County.
Kirkby-born Stubbs, who turns 37 next month, limped off in the Rams' opening-day defeat to Doncaster Rovers with a recurrence of a problem in his right knee.
He underwent an operation to tidy up the same knee at the end of last season and further surgery to repair the latest damage would keep him out for between six and nine months.
Derby chairman of football Adam Pearson, pictured below, described the situation as a "great shame" and saluted the professionalism of Stubbs whose contract was due to expire next summer.
"Alan picked up the injury against Arsenal at the back end of last season, had an operation in the summer and we thought that would clear it up but he suffered a recurrence against Doncaster," said Pearson.
"When we have looked at the time he would need to go back in for an operation and the recuperation time, Alan has come to the decision that it is an appropriate time to hang his boots up.
"It is a great shame but he has handled it in his usual very professional manner. It is probably in the best interests of the club and the player that he concentrates on the next stage of his career, which I am sure will be involved in football in some capacity."
Experienced Stubbs was seen as a key figure as the Rams look to rebuild in the Championship this season following relegation.
"That's very much what Alan's role was," said Pearson.
"Paul (Jewell) wanted an organiser and someone who can play a bit as well and it is just unfortunate it has not worked out. But rather than drag it out and cost the club unnecessary money, Alan has the attitude of 'let's all get on with our lives and move on'.
"He has had some career and I'm sure this news is water off a duck's back to Alan. When you have recovered from cancer twice, as he has, it puts everything into perspective.
"He has had a tremendous career, he has been a very, very good top-level player. He is well thought of here and we wish him all the best for the future."
Stubbs started at Bolton and captained them in the 1995 League Cup final against Liverpool before guiding his team to promotion to the Premier League through the play-offs.
A move to Celtic followed in May 1996 where he won several medals including the domestic treble. He also battled against health problems and twice overcame testicular cancer.
He returned home when he joined Everton in 2001 and became a key defender for four seasons, helping them to a fourth-place finish in 2004/05, securing a place in the Champions League qualifiers.
A short spell at Sunderland followed before he re-signed for Everton who finished sixth in 2006/07 to book a UEFA Cup slot.
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