BRIAN Pritchard is to hang up his boots on Saturday following Witton Albion's final game of the season against Wakefield Emley.

The 30-year-old central defender has been a virtual ever-present in the Albion line up for the past 10 years, but after 457 games Pritch has had enough.

So much so that he has imposed a blanket ban on football in his life.

He said: "Enough is enough.

"I'm making a clean break from football.

"I'm stopping at Witton and I've got a semi final for the police team next week so I'll see that out and then stop playing for them too.

"I've even cancelled my subscription to Sky Sports.

"I'm going cold turkey."

He added: "Football and Witton in particular have been a big, big part of my life, so this is going to be a real challenge for me.

"But I'm 30 now and my body is taking longer and longer to heal from any injuries.

"I'm getting married in the summer and it's time to have some time for myself and my partner.

"It's also been difficult with work.

"Last week for instance, I did a shift from 10pm - 7am, got home, had two hours sleep and was up to get ready for the match.

"I got home from the game at about 8.30pm, said hello to the other half, got changed for work and left the house at 9.40pm for my next shift.

"That's not the only time this has happened and there's only so much your body can take."

Despite his desire to make a clean break from the sport Pritchard insists he will not be a stranger at Wincham Park.

He added: "Of course I'll come back every now and again, Witton are a part of me and I'll always feel that.

"I've had some great times at the club, but now is the right time to be moving on with my life.

"I said when we got relegated that I wouldn't leave until we had regained our status in the Northern Premier League.

"And although we managed that with the restructuring last season, I feel able to go now without thinking I've let anyone down."

Pritchard ends his Witton career as one of the club's longest serving players and of all the managers he's worked with he believes current boss Gary Finley is up there with the best.

He added: "Gary is probably in the top three managers I've worked with and I'm leaving at an exciting time for Witton.

"I just wish he had been my manager eight years ago as I would have been a better player.

And his biggest regrets: "Getting sent off in the Cheshire Senior Cup Final, I really never meant for that to happen, and not getting to play Vics again. I would have liked one more match against them."