Cup hero hangs up his gloves

The former Hartlepool United, Bishop Auckland and Spennymoor Town stopper, who starred in Spartans’ run to the Emirates FA Cup Third Round during the 2014-15 season, informed the club he was retiring from football with immediate effect before the weekend's action.

Adam McHugh, the 29-year-old's successor at Croft Park, played a key role in Saturday's 2-1 home win over Stourbridge in the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League's top flight when he saved the fourth penalty out of five he's faced in a Spartans shirt late on to preserve their lead.

Spartans say their former number decided to retire following a discussion with manager Alun Armstrong a couple of weeks ago, only months after returning to the club after spending last season at Consett in the Northern League.

Armstrong said: “I came into training ready to do some work on the Thursday after the Spennymoor game and he asked to have a chat. He just came out with it and he said ‘I’m retiring, I’m jacking it in’. To say that I was shocked was an understatement. It’s a strange one – as it came totally out of the blue – but it’s given Adam McHugh the chance to go on and cement his place in the starting 11.

“Peter has been a fantastic servant to this club and, maybe, he’s just got something else on his mind or thinks he can’t do what he used to be able to. No one knows why, only Peter. He wants to stop playing, so we have to respect his decision.”

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