ACCRINGTON Stanley legend Paul Mullin has confirmed that his full-time playing career is over because of a back injury.

Mullin, who joined Morecambe in 2009, is Stanley’s all time leading goalscorer and says he will always regard Accrington’s return to the Football League as the highlight of his career.

The 37-year-old, whose younger brother John retired last summer, has not played since scoring for Morecambe at Northampton in February and will see a specialist next week to determine whether he can play on a part-time basis for a non-league club next season.

“It’s disappointing, it’s not the way I wanted to go out but sometimes you’ve just got to listen to your body,” said Mullin, who is in his testimonial year after a decade at Stanley.

“It would have been nice to go out with a fanfare. It’s been a bit of a whimper, but what can you do?

“I’m probably going to go back to my financial advisor career.

“I’m going to have to get my head round a nine to five job again but I’ve done it before and my football career has been a bonus.

“I didn’t think I was going to play full time, certainly not to the age I am now.”

Asked about the highlight of his career, Mullin said: “Getting into the league with Accrington was massive.

“That season we had a great side and we did okay in the league the year after, which was nice.

“I’ll always have a specal place in my heart for Accrington and the supporters.

“I had a great time there and I like to think I played a big part in helping to get them into the league and stay there.

“I’m proud of that and I’m right behind them in this promotion push. I really hope they do it.”