DANNY HIGGINBOTHAM: I play my last two games before retiring for Gibraltar next month... I had to finish now, the love for the game has vanished

PUBLISHED: 02:30 EST, 19 February 2014 | UPDATED: 02:30 EST, 19 February 2014

Danny Higginbotham

Danny Higginbotham is the former Manchester United, Stoke, Sunderland and Southampton defender who recently retired after falling out of love with playing the game long before he joined Altrincham. In his debut Footballers' Football Column, Higginbotham reveals why he is playing two more games for Gibraltar before hanging up his boots for good, and he talks about the perils of coaching in England and exactly what is wrong with this country in bringing young talent through.

 

I decided to retire from professional football in January. I'll be brutally honest - the enthusiasm for playing had completely gone.

The one thing I always maintained was that the decision to finish would be mine. There are so many players who can't find a club or have their careers curtailed by injury, but this decision was mine.

The initial plan was to finish at the end of the season with Altrincham, but I couldn't do it anymore. Over the past year or so I've completely fallen out of love with playing.

I know it's over: Danny Higginbotham will play two friendlies for Gibraltar before hanging up his boots

I know it's over: Danny Higginbotham will play two friendlies for Gibraltar before hanging up his boots

International honour: Higginbothom made his debut for Gibraltar in a draw with Slovakia in November

International honour: Higginbothom made his debut for Gibraltar in a draw with Slovakia in November

Flying the flag: Higginbothon is proud to play for Gibraltar and says he could become coach when he retires

Flying the flag: Higginbothon is proud to play for Gibraltar and says he could become coach when he retires

   

More from The Footballers' Column...


 

Retiring was a big step but when you're not enjoying it, the decision is made for you.

I was actually going out on to the pitch hoping not to get injured. That just isn't me - I used to run through walls for people. I couldn't wait to get home from games.

My main passion now is media work. That gives me the sort of buzz playing did for so many years. I'll be working at night and can't get to sleep until three o'clock because I'm wired with adrenalin.

That's what I want to pursue at the end of the season and it almost feels as if I'm fighting for a contract at a club as a kid, hoping to get picked up by new employers. It's an amazing parallel.

For now though I'm off to play my final two professional games of football.

Gibraltar face the Faroe Islands and Estonia early March and that will be it for me. The manager Allen Bula - my uncle, by the way - wants me to extend an international career for them when the Euro 2016 qualification starts in September. But how could I do that? It's not honest.

To come out of retirement purely to play international football would make me look like a fool. It's not something I wanted to do.

Of course it would have been fantastic if the side managed to play in the qualifiers five or six years ago but it is how it is. The opportunity for Gibraltar now is brilliant. I consider myself very fortunate I've been able to play at the top level at the age of 34.

The reason I'm playing in these two friendlies is because it had already been agreed, and I'm just keeping myself ticking over with a local team in Nantwich. There's real excitement around Gibraltar ahead of these games because about two pro players - myself and Preston's Scott Wiseman - being involved in the team and we got a result against Slovakia in our first ever game.

End of the road: The former Stoke defender spent a large proportion of his career in the top flight

End of the road: The former Stoke defender spent a large proportion of his career in the top flight

Different: The 35-year-old has been asked whether he'll help coach Gibraltar during Euro 2016 qualifcation

Different: The 35-year-old has been asked whether he'll help coach Gibraltar during Euro 2016 qualifcation

Problem: Higginbotham said he used to feel as if he'd run through brick walls for the cause

Problem: Higginbotham said he used to feel as if he'd run through brick walls for the cause

They have asked me to become a coach for the Euro 2016 campaign - something I'll definitely consider. The thinking behind it is to offer that experience to others and to help out with the defence.

I am wary of coaching. Why do people like Ryan Giggs have to jump through hoops in order to get their badges? He's played over 800 games for Manchester United - it's an absolute joke. Giggs can see things others can't on a football pitch - it's all about instinct.

You coach off experience. There are too many whizz kids at football clubs who are running things at academy level. How are they going to rectify a training session that's gone badly wrong? I'm not sure.

Why? Ryan Giggs must still take his coaching badges despite playing over 800 games for Man United

Why? Ryan Giggs must still take his coaching badges despite playing over 800 games for Man United

Blooded: Southampton decided to give Theo Walcott and Gareth Bale a go in the Championship
Blooded: Southampton decided to give Theo Walcott and Gareth Bale a go in the Championship

Blooded: Southampton decided to give Theo Walcott and Gareth Bale a go in the Championship

There is a bottleneck of young players in this country. So many level out come the age of 21 it's frightening. Younger lads are only given a go in the lower divisions - it just doesn't happen in the top flight.

The best example I can give is at Southampton. We were relegated from the Premier League and the club felt they had to tighten their belts. The logical step was to bring through two kids called Gareth Bale and Theo Walcott.

Even though Saints are renowned for bringing through young talent, that pair wouldn't have been afforded time to flourish if we weren't in the Championship.

Bale and Walcott. One is the most expensive player in the world - the other crucial for England.

 

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what a load of bull

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All I'm going to say is Roy Keane & Paul Ince.

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He's already getting on my nerves on MUTV, that bread earner for other Utd old boys, he prattles on & on & on about nothing, Pity he didn't have the same energy and drive as a player. Of course you've fallen out of love with playing, it's called passed it !!.

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CARLOS ALBERTO PARREIRA, & ARRIGO SACCHI, There you go Danny, two men. Never kicked a ball professionally in there lives, World Cup winner and two time European Cup winner. Now sit down.

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I had ro re-read this to make sure it wasn't a wind up. Limited player wants a job in the media, so what?

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This guys (higginbottom) daft, and was one of the most rubbish footballer i've ever seen. You are better finding a job football mate.

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Hm Jose Mourinho wasn't a proper professional football player now look at him....One day someone who has had no footballing career will win everything and put a lot of these coaches to shame.

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This is what the the bigger problem is Danny and you are part of it. You may have played at the very top level but so what when it comes to coaching? So many ex players have become coaches and managers and been utter flops. Everyday day Joe blogs who have watched all types of games as fans and played the sport at some level can see the game from many different angles as well. It's about time pro players and ex pro players woke up a little and concede that the sport can be inclusive and just doesn't revolve around them.

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Coaches need to be ex players? You don't stay in school for 10 years to become a teacher, you go off and train to be one On this theory only long-term patients could become doctors Only amazing racing drivers could become engineers Experience helps but it isn't the be all and end all

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Coaches need to be ex players? You don't stay in school for 10 years to become a teacher, you go off and train to be one On this theory only long-term patients could become doctors Only amazing racing drivers could become engineers Experience helps but it isn't the be all and end all

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