Sharp retires after incredible 22-year career

Sheffield United legend Billy Sharp announces his retirement from football at the age of 40. Sheffield United legend Billy Sharp has announced his retirement from football at the age of 40. Sharp, who played for Southampton, Nottingham Forest, Leeds United, Hull City, Scunthorpe United, Reading, Doncaster Rovers and Rushden & Diamonds during a 22-year professional career, during which he scored 299 goals. He had been a free agent since leaving Doncaster at the end of last season, when he signed off in style in his final game with a hat-trick against Peterborough. "I'm going to hang my boots up. I've given it a good ride. I've got a long way, got to 40," Sharp told Sky Sports.

"I wanted to go out on my own terms. I've seen many friends get taken away by injury and things like that. "I wanted to go out with a bang and luckily for me, I got a hat-trick in my last appearance. "I'm maybe not the most talented player, maybe not the most liked on the pitch but that's because I love football. I'm passionate and I think I've got every single bit out of my career. "I've made memories in football that will last me a lifetime." A boyhood Blades supporter, Sharp made his Championship debut off the bench against Watford in