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Craig HillTony Vidmar announces retirement
February 15th 2008 05:00
Central Coast Mariner's marquee player Tony Vidmar has confirmed he will be hanging up his boots after the A-league Grand Final on February 24.
The 37-year-old has said that his aging body could no longer stand-up to the rigours of full-time football having had to rely on pain killers to get through much of his second season with the Mariners.
Speaking to the press, Vidmar said: "I've been playing with a lot of pain.
"I've had back trouble and there were times where I always had to take pain killers before games and that's gone through the whole season.
"Funny enough, it's worn off the last few months and it's been a lot better, in that way my body has improved but there is no way that I can continue on and have a long pre-season and even longer season.
"It was a difficult decision. Every day I would say yes, and then the next day I would say no, not to continue.
"I think after we won the minor premiership, the challenge of the Asian Champions League for next year, I thought maybe I could do that.
"But several days after that, definitely after the first leg of the Newcastle game, I think that's when my mind was made up."
"I've had back trouble and there were times where I always had to take pain killers before games and that's gone through the whole season.
"Funny enough, it's worn off the last few months and it's been a lot better, in that way my body has improved but there is no way that I can continue on and have a long pre-season and even longer season.
"It was a difficult decision. Every day I would say yes, and then the next day I would say no, not to continue.
"I think after we won the minor premiership, the challenge of the Asian Champions League for next year, I thought maybe I could do that.
"But several days after that, definitely after the first leg of the Newcastle game, I think that's when my mind was made up."
The former Rangers and Socceroos defender has had a distinguished career at club and international level, most notably with the Scottish giants Rangers where he played over 100 club games and won the Scottish Championship and League Cup twice and the Scottish FA Cup three times.
Vidmar was inconsolable after the playoff loss in 2001
At international level, Vidmar was a mainstay in the Socceroos defence for many years and sits proudly at number three on the most-capped player's list with 76. His most enduring image in the green and gold remains his tearful exit in Uruguay following Australia's failed World Cup qualification bid in 2001. He later gained revenge by helping Australia qualify for the 2006 World Cup in a playoff against the same side in 2005.
Sadly, his dream of playing at the World Cup finals never materialised due to an irregular heart rhythm which led to his own withdrawal from Guus Hiddink's squad. Following surgery to correct the irregularity, he was given the green light to resume his playing career. Vidmar announced his international retirement after the friendly fixture against Paraguay in October 2006.
The Socceroos legend will take a well deserved holiday after the A-league 2008 grand final before deciding on his future which looks likely to include football in either a coaching or media capacity.
Thanks for the memories and happy retirement mate!
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