Stone calls it a day
Leeds United midfielder Steve Stone has retired from football at the age of 35.
Former England international Steve Stone has retired from football after having his contract with Leeds cancelled by mutual consent.The 35-year-old midfielder has taken the decision to formally announce his retirement and concentrate on media interests after enduring an injury-plagued spell at Elland Road.
Stone suffered an Achilles tendon injury during his first training session after arriving from Portsmouth in 2005, and furthermore suffered from an infection after an operation.
After making 11 appearances this season, Stone has now seen his contract cancelled by mutual consent, resulting in his retirement.
"The injury and the infection has taken its toll on me and there were times when I even struggled to get out of bed in a morning because of it," Stone told the club's official website.
"Things didn't really work out for me right from the start and it has been a big disappointment for me, but that is the way things go sometimes.
"It wasn't right for the club and it wasn't right for me but now things have been sorted it it is a relief."
During a 17-year career, encompassing further spells with Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa, Stone won nine England caps.
