Sean Hillier admits he would have been delaying the inevitable, had he not decided to call time on his FC Clacton career.

The Seasiders stalwart is retiring from his playing and assistant manager duties at the end of the season.

A recurring knee injury, combined with work and family commitments, means it has become impossible to give his all to the club.

And after mulling over his future, he has reluctantly decided to call it a day.

“The last few weeks have been very frustrating for me,” said the 30-year-old, who informed first-team boss Andy Taylor last Friday.

“It wasn’t a decision taken lightly but it was something I had to do.

“And by not making the decision now, I would have been delaying the inevitable."

For the full story, see this week's Gazette.