Casper forced to retire at 26

Former Manchester United youth Casper was famously considered by Sir Bobby Charlton to be the cream of an Old Trafford crop that included England internationals David Beckham, Nicky Butt and Phil and Gary Neville.

Casper did not make the step up to be a first team regular like his esteemed youth team-mates however, and eventually accepted a permanent switch to Reading - where he had previously played on loan.

However, on Boxing Day of 1999, Casper suffered a broken leg in a clash with Cardiff's Richard Carpenter that effectively ended his career at the age of 24.

Despite battling to make a return, and playing at reserve level, Casper, now 26, has accepted that he can no longer perform at the highest level and has retired form playing.