Bolton Wanderers fullback Marc Tierney has been forced to hang up his boots, having been advised to retire due to his troublesome ankle injury.
The 29-year-old joined the Trotters in the summer of 2013 when his contract at Norwich City expired, and made his debut in the 1-1 derby draw with Lancashire rivals Burnley that August. Having established himself as their first choice left back, Tierney suffered his injury in just his eighth match for the Macron Stadium club in a 1-1 home draw with Yeovil Town in September.
Despite four operations in a bid to heal his problematic ankle and allow him to resume his career, the Prestwich-born player has now confirmed he has been forced to prematurely hang up his boots. This follows advice that his injury is a ‘permanent total disability’ which will prevent him from playing again, and he has now placed his thanks to the club for their support.
“I’d like to place on record my thanks to the backroom staff, manager and chairman, who have all been brilliant in helping me in the best possible way,” he told the official club website. “The club have been kind enough to allow me to still come in for physio, so my treatment is still ongoing. It’s obviously very disappointing, but I’ve got some great memories from my time as a player.”
Tierney began his career at Oldham Athletic, having progressed through their youth system to make his first team debut in 2003. After a loan spell at Carlisle United he moved to Shrewsbury Town n in 2007, where his performances earned him both the fans and players player of the year awards. He also represented Colchester United after a successful loan spell, and Norwich.
