SOUTHEND United legend Adam Barrett has revealed he will retire at the end of the season.

The popular centre-back has made 672 appearances during a memorable career which first started in 1999.

But the defender has now decided he will hang up his boots in May.

And he is determined to go out having helped the Shrimpers secure a return to League One.

“I feel as though the time is right for me to retire at the end of the season but I want to go out on a high and help the club win promotion,” said the 35-year-old.

“There are many reasons why I’ve come to this decision but one of the main ones is that I just don’t want to go and play for anyone else.

“Having grown up standing on the terraces supporting Southend, my home-town club, this is where I always wanted to end my career and I’m pleased I’m going to be doing that.

“However, I still feel as though I have plenty of football left in me and I’ll be doing all I can to help the team and to also try and get back in it during the matches we have left.

“I feel lucky to have enjoyed the career I’ve had and now I want to cap it all off with promotion because that would be the perfect way for me to finish.”

Barrett made 289 appearances during his first spell with the Shrimpers which spanned six seasons and included two promotions as Steve Tilson’s side surged up in to the Championship.

The Benfleet based former Belfairs High School pupil also lined up for Plymouth Argyle, Mansfield Town, Bristol Rovers, Crystal Palace, Leyton Orient, Bournemouth, Gillingham and AFC Wimbledon during his career.

But Barrett now also runs his own Players Football Academy which he is keen to dedicate more of his time towards “The academy has been going for just over a year now and it’s been brilliant,” said Barrett.

“We’ve had a lot of young lads get snapped up by professional clubs and it’s got to the stage now where I need to be able to give it more of my time.

“I enjoy the coaching and it’s great helping the youngsters in our area.

“But I’m still fully focused on my own career at the moment and making sure I finish on a high.

“I definitely don’t want to go out being a bench warmer because that’s something I’ve never been and don’t want to be either.”

>BARRETT’S academy will be running coaching sessions for budding young footballers aged between two and five at the Deanes Sports College in Thundersley from Saturday March 14.

He will also be holding an open evening for his scholarship scheme at Basildon Sporting Village on Tuesday March 24.

The scheme is open for those aged between 16 and 18 and will be run from the Studio School in Basildon.

The open evening will be taking place between 5pm and 7pm.

For more details email adambarrett26@icloud.com