I always wondered when as a keeper you would know its time to retire. I always said that I wouldn't be one of those keepers who would have a string of bad games and would take the executive decision to retire.

At 36 I've had a really good run and to be honest I am still fitter and better than a lot of younger keepers coming through sporting a side parting and a new BMW on the never never while still living at mums however I believe that everything in life is about moderation, it's time to say call it a day on the semi-pro thing.

The racing home from work to get to training,working late to cover lost work you know the one, anyway I've decided that on May 10th I will play my last competitive game, which is a cup final in the Ryman Cup.

I will be playing with lads that I first started my journey with and feels right to end it there.although I'm a firm believer in play as long as you can, that always has to be within reason.

My kids I want to spoil me even more with quality time, the new lady in my life who is champions league and with the pro-1 goalkeeping academy growing from strength to strength it's the right time.

I'd like to say thank you to every manger and player I have shared the field with, got some great memories and good stories to tell around the table.

I often wonder if I wasn't such a loose cannon how different my career would of been, some decisions I've made because of my ego but then again it's made me the coach I am today, so apart from the odd charity or prob vets game the MONK is turning the football phone off.

Much love

Dean's pen-pic is below:-

A goalkeeper nicknamed ‘The Monk’, (b 09/09/76 )signed from Wivenhoe Town on 15th November 2007 as a replacement for Nathan Munson. An experienced player who having started his career with Charlton Athletic, went onto to play for Tonbridge Angels, Harlow Town and Tilbury. He represented England Schoolboys in his younger days, was also a boxer and undefeated in 36 fights. He was released by the club on 11th April 2008, due to work commitments. At the start of the 2008/09 season he was playing for Billericay Town and Bowers & Pitsea United. He was re-signed on 22nd November 2008 to play in an FA Trophy game the next day but called off on the eve of the game and did not play. In January 2009 he had formed his own company Pro-Tek selling his own design of goalkeeping gloves and providing coaching. In the second half of 2009/10 season was first team goalkeeper coach at Football League Division Two play-off winners Dagenham and Redbridge. He also worked at the Arsenal school of excellence during the 2009/10 season. He studied goalkeeping in Italy, Spain and Slovenia and then started his own goalkeeping academy Pro 1 in Basildon, Billericay and Southend. On 12th January 2013 he was playing in goal for Redbridge. In April 2013 he continued with his playing career and goalkeeping coaching as well as going abroad to scout goalkeepers. In his coaching he was being assisted by another ex-AFC player Paul Smith. On 23rd September 2013 he had joined Harlow Town, however after only a couple of games he had left on 4th October. In the last week of November 2013 he had joined Brentwood Town and remained with them throughout the 2013/14 season. On 11th October 2014 he played for Aveley Vets. On 22nd April 2015 he announced that he would retire from football after playing in the Ryman Vets final on 10th May.

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Updated 22/04/15