Stewart Drummond: Retirement will take some time to sink in

Stewart Drummond admits it’s going to take some time for his retirement to sink in.
Stewart Drummond speaks to fans at the club's end of season awards as he retires after 622 career appearances.Stewart Drummond speaks to fans at the club's end of season awards as he retires after 622 career appearances.
Stewart Drummond speaks to fans at the club's end of season awards as he retires after 622 career appearances.

The Shrimps stalwart brought his stellar 21-year playing career to a close in the 3-1 win over Southend on Saturday.

The 39-year-old played the final 22 minutes on his 622nd career appearance as Morecambe spoilt the Shrimpers’ promotion party and finished 11th in League 2.

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Drummond said: “It’s going to be the next weeks and months when you start looking back and missing the game.

“I think when the lads come back for pre-season and start kicking the ball around again and start playing games that I might start missing it.

“I’ll just have a stopwatch in my hand and a whistle so it’s a little bit easier than doing 800 metre runs!

“That’s to come in on the future.”

The veteran midfielder admitted it was good to go out on a high.

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Drummond said: “The result always helps and it was a positive performance from the lads.

“To come on the last 20 to 25 minutes and see the game out was very nice.”

The club legend’s task is now to bring through the next generation of Shrimps players and the Globe Arena faithful got a look into the future with Drummond joined off the bench by Aaron McGowan on Saturday.

He said: “It tied in together, me coming on and AJ coming on at a similar sort of time, it shows the direction we’re trying to go in.

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“A younger, fresher and pacier outfit than we’ve had over the years.”

Shrimps boss Jim Bentley was delighted with the day and the way his good friend and long-time colleague bowed out.

He said: “What a great send off for him.

“You could just sense it coming to the ground today with the masks and flags.

“It was absolutely brilliant for him and what a way to finish, on the winning side with a few words in front of the crowd.”