From the Fiver:

Sunderland captain Steve Bould has announced his retirement at the age of 37. "The injury to my toe means that I will be unable to continue to play at the highest level and I have therefore decided to retire while at the peak of my career," he said.

Toe bad for our Mackem bretheren.

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2000

Answers

peak of his career . If as a championship medal winner with Arsenal, Steve Bould reckons he is at the peak of his career at the Stade de Merde, he's obviously going senile as well and it's just as well he gives up.

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2000

I never like to see a profesional footballer forced out of his career by injury - never mind who he plays for. However, at 37, I doubt if Steve Bould could realistically have expected to play after the end of this season anyway. Surely he'd have retired thru embarassment.

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2000

Interesting to see Stuart Pearce getting so many plaudits for his performance against Coventry, though...

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2000

True, but Psycho is just that little bit different. Bould may have lasted beyond the end of the season, but I doubt it. I am surprised at Pearce's return. I thought it was over when he broke his leg last season. Good for him for making a positive come back.

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2000

And to all you who wrote Gazza off (long ago!), did you see him play against Leicester, he was inspirational - both in skill AND attitude!

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2000