Claridge not ruling out playing again (From Dorset Echo)

Claridge not ruling out playing again

9:17am Monday 7th September 2009 in Club News By Ky Capel

THINKING THINGS OVER: Steve Claridge

STEVE Claridge believes the decision of whether to don the claret and blue of Weymouth again needs careful consideration.

The ex-Premier League striker announced his sensational comeback on Thursday, almost five years after being sacked as player-manager, but saw hopes of a dream return dashed on Saturday as the Terras slumped to a 5-1 home defeat to Bromley.

Claridge, 43, has not ruled out playing any further games for the Wessex Stadium outfit but says he will think things over first.

He said: “I went into the game having not kicked a ball for two years. I hate doing things by halves, I prefer to do things properly, but that was the first time I’ve gone into a game unsure of my preparation.

“I did okay in periods but I know that I didn’t have that bit extra in my legs that I would have had if had some more games and a pre-season behind me.

“So if I do come back I’d like to think I’ll be in better shape. But what I must look at, in terms of whether I come back or not, is can I bring something to the table?

“I don’t want to just come down and satisfy my lust for playing football, I want to be able to make a difference.

“What was really nice on Saturday though was that if I never play another game again then I would’ve ended my career at a club that really means something to me, which is no disrespect to Harrow.

“I was also able to bury a few ghosts and I thought the fans were fantastic as they stuck behind the team when most wouldn’t.

“So whatever happens now I’ll have good memories of my time at Weymouth.”

Of the game itself, the former Leicester City ace added: “I certainly didn’t envisage it to be like that. However, I wasn’t expecting to come down and for everything to be fine, because it’s not.

“But if you can’t defend as a team then you’re not going to win games. Bromley scored two goals with their first two attacks and when you’ve had the majority of the play but concede two goals like that it’s a tough blow to take.

“The lads are a bit fragile confidence-wise and you could see that after the goals went in.”