FORMER Dorset, Dorchester and Weymouth wicketkeeper Sean Fitzgerald says he is “happy to put the kit away now” following his decision to call time on his playing career.

Fitzgerald, 53, signed off with a win on the final day of the Dorset League season in August, helping Dorchester to an 88-run victory against Martinstown.

He had decided the hang up his wicketkeeping gloves earlier in the summer but performed the role one last time due to unavailability in the county town squad.

Talking to Echosport about retiring from playing, he said: “When you’ve been playing sport for a while there comes a time when you have to say enough is enough, and that time for me is now.

“Playing cricket and football over the years has left me with a lot of wear and tear, and my thumbs aren’t right after breaking them in the last few years.

“I dropped a sitter behind the stumps earlier in the season and I knew then it was time to finish.

“I kept wicket in my last match, and it was nice to do it again, but it was good to know I didn’t have a whole season of it ahead of me.

“I’m happy to put the kit away now. I won’t be throwing it away, it will be going up the loft just in case I’m needed in an emergency.”

Fitzgerald cites playing against the legendary Viv Richards and scoring an unbeaten 219 for Beaminster as two of his highlights.