Turley full of thanks on retirement

By John Lyons

JAMIE Turley has thanked everyone who helped him on his football journey after being forced to hang up his boots through injury at the age of 32.

The former England C captain spent last season in the National League with Barnet and previously played out his career in Non-League‘s top flight and League Two in the EFL.

Having represented Salisbury City, Forest Green Rovers and Eastleigh, the centre-half broke into the Footballl League with Newport County at the age of 26 in 2016.

After spending a season back in the National League on loan at Boreham Wood, he then returned to the EFL with Notts County before helping Justin Edinburgh’s Leyton Orient win the National League in 2018-19 and reach the FA Trophy final.

Following two-and-a-half years with the O’s, Turley made the switch to London neighbours Barnet.

In total, he played more than 300 games and was selected as the England C Player of the Year in 2013.

On Twitter, he said: “Football has been everything to me. I feel blessed to have been able to fulfil my boyhood dream of playing at Wembley. (There’s been) promotion as champions, via play-offs and captaining my country.

“I’ve worn every shirt with great pride and each club has shaped me into the person I am today. To my ex-managers and coaches, thank you for your belief in me. Geoff Warner, Tommy Widdrington, Dave Hockaday, Warren Feeney, Harry Kewell and the late Justin Edinburgh to name a few.

“You all played key roles in my career not just on the pitch but off it too, the values you instilled which I will carry through life.

“My next chapter really excites me and I know with my family’s support I can achieve anything. But for now I’m going to enjoy quality time with my family and look forward to not eating pasta pre-match on Christmas Day!”