Stubbs Forced Into Retirement

Due to a serious knee injury Derby captain Alan Stubbs has been forced to call time on his playing career. The injury is a reoccurrence of his previous knee injury that required surgery this summer. Adam Pearson has paid tribute to him.

'Alan Stubbs is being forced to hang up his boots due to a re-occurrence of the knee injury he sustained against Arsenal last season.

'It's a blow because Alan is not just a great player and organiser, he is also a fantastic leader and a great human being.

'The way he has handled himself over this injury and being forced to call it a day is testament to the kind of person he is.'

Pearson was talking to the official website.

The 36-year-old joined Derby in January from his boyhood club Everton, where he had two spells either side of a short spell with Sunderland. Stubbs managed to get fit for the start of the season but had to be taken off in our opening match.

In a career spanning 596 appearances (551 starts, 45 as a substitute) he scored 27 goals, during spells with his first club Bolton, Celtic (which was restricted as he twice overcame testicular cancer in five-years), Sunderland and of course Derby.

Best of luck to Stubbsy from all at Vital Derby.

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