BURY captain David Pugh made the heartbreaking decision to hang up his boots this week after a lengthy battle with a knee injury.

The 33-year-old midfielder has been forced into retirement by the injury he suffered on the opening day of the season - his first and only game in Division One.

Shakers manager Stan Ternent choked back the tears at Wednesday's awards night as he announced to a packed audience that his captain had finally been beaten.

He said: "We have had a blinding time over the last four seasons but unfortunately the skipper is having to retire with his knee."

His final, fitting words, before the emotion became too much, were: "We have tried."

Pugh was given a standing ovation and told fans: "It has been a fantastic time and I thank everyone for their great support."

Ternent added later: "I can't speak highly enough of David. He has been the full trip with us through the divisions, so it is very disappointing it should end like this as we reached Division One.

"He has been a fantastic skipper, a terrific servant to the club and a very popular member of the squad and everyone at the club wishes him well."

It looked like things could get no worse for Pugh when he broke his arm twice last season.

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