Former Prem striker retires less than one month after joining new club

FORMER Premier League striker Gary Madine has announced his retirement, just one month after signing for Spennymoor Town

Madine, 34, has claimed that it "doesn't feel right to collect a wage" when he no longer has the same passion for the game that he used to.

3 Gary Madine has announced his retirement from football Credit: Rex

The striker agreed a deal to sign for the National League North side last month and has made two appearances since putting pen to paper.

But those two games were all the former Cardiff bagsman needed to realise extending his career was not the right move.

Spennymoor revealed that a mutual decision to cancel Madine's contract has been made after discussions with manager Graeme Lee.

Speaking to the club's official outlets, Madine said: "I would like to thank the Spennymoor fans, my teammates and everyone involved at the club for making me feel so welcome.

“Unfortunately, I’ve realised that I no longer have that fire in my belly that has helped me have the career I have had.

"And I don’t feel it’s right to collect a wage from such good people when I know my heart isn’t 100 per cent in it.

“I wish everyone at Spennymoor all the success in the world and hope they go on to have a really enjoyable season.”

Lee added: "Gary leaves with our best wishes for the future.

A brief look at the career timeline of Gary Madine...

“We’re sorry it’s not worked out for him the way we had hoped but we wish him well in his retirement and congratulate him on a fantastic career.”

Madine's career has seen him lace up for 11 different teams and play in all of England's top six leagues.

The Englishman made five Premier League appearances while on the books at Cardiff, failing to score a goal, but getting the chance to play against the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea .

Madine made over 220 Championship appearances for Blackpool , Cardiff, Sheffield United, Bolton, Coventry and Sheffield Wednesday .

While in the second tier, Madine scored 37 goals and registered 21 assists.

His time in League One was even more successful, scoring 56 goals and setting up another 20 across 209 appearances for Carlisle, Wednesday, Coventry, Bolton and Blackpool.

The late stages of his career saw Madine drop down to non-league, playing last season at National League Hartlepool.

His career has also been hampered by off-pitch controversy .

Madine was found guilty of causing Actual Bodily Harm in 2010 and served 250 hours of unpaid work, paid the victim £1,500 in compensation as well as having to pay £1,800 in costs.

Then in 2013, he was convicted of both Grievous Bodily Harm and ABH in two separate attacks .

He was jailed for 18 months but served just five months of his sentence.

3 Madine spent three years on the books at Bolton Credit: -

3 He also played Premier League football for Cardiff Credit: Getty - Contributor