BARRY McConnell has announced that he will be hanging up his boots in the semi-pro ranks after Weymouth’s final game of the season against Chesham United.

The defender, who started his career at Exeter City, has spent two years with the Terras following spells with Truro City, Weston-super-Mare and Dorchester Town among others.

“I have been doing it for 22 years so I have paid my dues to football and there are other things that I want to do,” he told Echosport.

“I might still play locally with my mates but your body sort of tells you when it’s time, there have been occasions where I have felt tired and with work as well it catches up with you. I’m nearly 38 and it’s time for some of the other lads to step up and do their bit for the club.

“I know I’m going to miss it, you’d be a fool to say you wouldn’t miss it but I'm going to take a step back for a few months and see how much I really miss the game. I have no doubt that it will be a lot, and I will be back involved fairly soon.”

On his time with the Terras, he added: “I would like to thank the club for everything they have done in my time there, there is so much effort that goes in from volunteers and I would love to see Weymouth go on and get where they deserve to be.”

Player-manager Jason Matthews added: “I would like to thank Barry and wish him all the best from everyone at the club, he has been a great professional since I took charge.”

As well as his football career, the full-back has also completed the London Marathon on three separate occasions, and has raised thousands of pounds for the British Heart Foundation in doing so.

Following his decision to retire, he has recently applied to take on the marathon once again.

He added: “I decided I needed something else to occupy my mind and hopefully I will get accepted to do it.”