FORMER York City promotion-winning captain Matty Brown has announced his retirement from football.

The 33-year-old central defender, who led City to promotion to the Vanarama National League via the play-offs, had agreed terms with Pitching In Northern Premier League premier division side Marine, but has been forced into retirement through injury.

A former Manchester City youngster, Brown made over 60 appearances for Marine in the early stages of his career before spells in Sky Bet League Two with Chesterfield and Chester.

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He then went on to sign for FC Halifax Town, going on to make over 100 appearances for the Shaymen in a five-year spell, including lifting the FA Trophy in 2016 and winning promotion from the Vanarama National League North the following year.

After being released, the centre-back joined York in 2020, where he scored twice in 38 appearances as the Minstermen were promoted back to the fifth tier.

Brown returned to Marine in May after a spell at relegated AFC Telford United, but has now announced his retirement with immediate effect after suffering an injury that was likely to keep him sidelined for the majority of the season out of respect for the club.

Brown, who had been hoping to close out his career at the Marine Travel Arena, told the club that he was “devastated” to have had to retire earlier than he had hoped, but that it was the right decision for all parties.

“I was looking forward to this season so much, but it just wasn’t meant to be,” he continued. “One thing I have to be is true to myself and I felt that it was the right thing to do.

“I will always pop down to Marine, a proper football club.”

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Marine CEO James Leary admitted that he was “gutted” that Brown had been forced to retire, but that the centre-back should be proud of his career.

“Matty was looking forward to finishing his career back at Marine and hopefully helping to finish on a real high helping us towards promotion, so I am gutted for him that he has had to retire,” he said.

“Matty has had a fantastic career and should be proud of everything he has achieved in the game. He has been a consummate professional throughout his career and he will be remembered as a real giant of non-league football.

“To have offered to cancel his contract shows how honourable Matty is. He and his family, all residents of Crosby, have a real affinity to Marine and were regulars at the MTA. It is not often in football you get moments like this but I thank Matty for his honest assessment of where things are. He really is one of the good guys.

“I look forward to seeing him and his family at the MTA this season.”