TONIGHT'S cup final was meant to be his swansong after a medal-laden career in Sunday morning football spanning a quarter of a century.

But Wigginton stalwart Ian Gallagher has been forced to sit it out after rupturing his Achilles tendon in the last league game of the season just two weeks earlier.

Left-back Gallagher had already signalled his intention to retire after the John Smith's Sunday Bitter Cup final against Hounds, which will be played at York RI's New Lane ground (kick off 7pm).

He had decided to call it a day after 25 consecutive seasons with the club to "let the young lads have a game". But that retirement has come sooner than planned for the 40-year-old full-back.

"This cup final would have been my last game for the club, but it's all gone wrong," he said.

"I've only missed one game this season, and that was through work commitments, so I was obviously disappointed to get this injury now."

Gallagher will have to keep his leg in a pot for eight weeks and then rest it for at least a further month. He has been forced off work for 12 weeks.

"I was running and it just snapped - no-one was near me," he added. "It's the first really serious injury I've ever had. I had a bad knee problem once but this is the worst I've ever had. I suppose I've been fortunate with injuries - until now."

Originally from Wigginton, Gallagher now lives in Acomb but has stayed true to his village team, who have risen through all the divisions of the John Smith's York Sunday Morning League during his time.

Indeed they were crowned division one champions last season, and have also won a multitude of knockout competitions in those 25 years, especially in the last decade or so.

"I've been with the club since I was a Joseph Rowntree School," said the married father of two.

"I played for them in my last year at school and I've been there ever since.

"We've gone through all the divisions in my time and we've won every cup there is on a Sunday morning. We've been pretty successful over the years, particularly the last 15 years.

"We've won every cup final we've played in and I hope we keep that record going tonight."

Gallagher won't be quitting football altogether as there is always five-a-side, but as for 11-a-side game, he added: "I'm definitely going to miss it."

Updated: 11:38 Thursday, May 09, 2002