TWINKLE-toed playmaker Mat Birley revealed his “toughest” season with injuries had instigated the call to hang up his boots – but only after leading out Worcester City for the final time.

The ex-Birmingham City midfielder retires after a last hurrah in Worcester’s final Midland Football League Premier Division match of the season at home to Highgate United tomorrow (3pm).

It is a call that has been made with a heavy heart but a clear mind on the back of a stop-start campaign limited to 20 appearances by persistent problems.

“When you know, you know,” said Birley.

“This season has been the toughest. I have picked up a niggle every time I have played which has stopped me getting together a decent run of games.

“It is very frustrating. Mentally you know you can do it, you have it all in your mind but your body won’t let you anymore.

“That’s tough, especially during the earlier part of my career. There was potential there, I played in the Football League and dropping down was difficult.

“All I could do was deal with it as it happened and make the most of what I had.”

Flanked by his two children, nine-year-old George and four-year-old Harper, Birley will lead out City and make his 175th appearance in blue and white at the Victoria Ground.

“Walking out with my kids will be a very special day,” added Birley.

“Most of non-league career has been spent here, the fans have been great with me as have the people behind the scenes. I have so much respect for everyone at the club.

“It is time to get on with the next chapter of my footballing career which hopefully involves coaching.”

Birley has already started out on that path by working with the under-14s at Blues as well as his coaching post at City, a role he has yet to discuss with the club.

“I am going into Blues now, shadowing to see how they do things to start with,” said Birley.

“I am open minded about what I do, junior or senior coaching, but it would be nice to be at the place I spent 13 years of my life (Birmingham).

“If it is not there then we will see what happens somewhere else.

“If something happens in non-league then it would be great to be at Worcester City. We haven’t had that conversation yet but with the experience Snapper and Ash (John Snape and Ashley Vincent, manager and assistant) have, pretty much all of the bases are covered.

“I would be open to it. This was my sixth season with Worcester, it is the club I have spent most of my non-league career with and it would definitely be my first option.

“Hopefully, my connection with Worcester might continue in a different guise in the future.”