Tinnion to hang up boots

Bristol City manager Brian Tinnion will retire from playing at the end of the season.

The 36-year-old has been in a player-manager role at Ashton Gate this season after succeeding Danny Wilson as Robins boss in the summer.

Tinnion stated he wanted to concentrate more on his managerial duties from next term and that he may even hang up his boots beforehand, should his side get back to winning ways.

"I made up my mind a while ago to quit playing at the end of the season," Tinnion told the club's official website.

"I never expected to play so many games this season when I took the manager's job. But I have wanted to lead from the front and the other players haven't done well enough to keep me out.

"I now want to concentrate fully on being a manager. It's a difficult enough job without having to play as well."

The playmaker's announcement will bring an end to a career that started at Newcastle United in the 1986/87 season.

In March 1989, Tinnion moved to Bradford City for £150,000, where made 174 appearances for the West Yorkshire club.

He then arrived at Ashton Gate for £180,000 in March 1993 and became a club legend, having made 551 appearances for The Robins.

As a player, Tinnion will long be remembered for his FA Cup winning goal against Liverpool at Anfield in 1994.