STOCKPORT COUNTY'S game against Gloucester City on Saturday will be the last of Karl Ledsham's career after the midfielder decided to hang up his boots.
The former Skelmersdale United, Southport, Lincoln City and Barrow man has been offered a coaching job in the United States and it proved too tempting to turn down.
After making his name at Skelmersdale, he joined Liam Watson's Southport in 2010 and enjoyed a successful four-year spell at Haig Avenue, scoring 24 goals in 140 games.
A move to Lincoln City in the summer of 2014 didn't quite work out and he was snapped up by Barrow last January after a loan spell at AFC Telford.
He helped the Bluebirds win the Conference North title before becoming Neil Young's first signing as Stockport County boss in May.
Ledsham has been a key reason behind County's recent upturn in form under new boss Jim Gannon but yesterday's visit of Gloucester turned out to be his final game at Edgeley Park.
He told Stockport's website: “It's disappointing but it's something I've thought long and hard about. I've been offered a coaching job over in New Jersey and it's a good opportunity.
“I've had some injuries including two operations on my groin and it's just not easing up. I've been playing at 70 per cent for the past two years and this is something that's been on my mind for a long time, so I think it's time to hang up my boots and go on a new adventure coaching.
“I went to university in Maryland for three years and it was great, some of the best years of my life, but I always wanted to come back and play football over here and I can't complain about the clubs I've played for, with Stockport County obviously the biggest in my eyes. It's been great to represent this club, I was here when I was 16, so it's been great to be back.”
Despite only playing under Gannon for a short period, the boss was full of praise for the departing midfielder and admitted he was “disappointed” to lose him.
“I have always been a big fan of Karl,” Gannon said. “Not just his qualities as an athlete and player, but his honesty and commitment to the team game.
“Since I have come back to the club he has been one of our key players and his role in our new look midfield has been integral to our great run of form.
“We are disappointed to lose him at this stage of the season and not to have him available for future seasons. But any disappointment is tempered by the great opportunity he has to enjoy life and coaching in America.
“I'm sure he will be a great success over there, so I'd like to publicly thank him for his work for us this season and offer him the very best wishes for the future.”
