Whilst it’s undoubtedly been a difficult season, I’d love to celebrate my retirement with a clean sheet and the win that could take our survival fight to the last game a week later, says Beckenham Town goalkeeper Nick Blue

BECKENHAM TOWN goalkeeper Nick Blue has made the decision to hang up his gloves in eight days’ time.

Blue has kept 30 clean sheets in 114 appearances over three seasons with the club, which saw them claim the Combined Counties League Premier Division South title and reach the Isthmian League South East Division play-off semi-finals during his time at Beckenham Town.

The club will lose its eighth-tier status of they fail to beat Horndean tomorrow (15:00), in what is Blue’s final outing at Eden Park Avenue.

Darren Anslow’s side are second-from-bottom in the Isthmian League South East Division table and have picked up six wins, eight draws and have lost 22 league games this season and are four points adrift of East Grinstead Town with two league games remaining.

The Wasps have three games remaining and play away to Merstham tomorrow, before finishing their campaign at home to Horndean (Tuesday) and Sheppey United (Saturday).

“I’ve made the difficult decision that this will be my last season and I will be hanging up the gloves,” said Blue in a statement.

“I’m getting on a bit and as much as I’ve loved playing for many years, it’s now time to focus on family and perhaps keep playing, just with people that are my own age. 

“The final game of the season at Burgess Hill will obviously be tinged with sadness for me in some respects.

“Before that there’s my last match at Eden Park Avenue against Horndean tomorrow.

“Whilst it’s undoubtedly been a difficult season, I’d love to celebrate with a clean sheet and the win that could take our survival fight to the last game a week later.

“I’ve got my family coming along for the match and my daughters will walk out on the pitch with me before kick-off.

“I’d love to see as many of the Becks’ faithful as possible at the game tomorrow.”

Blue also won the Isthmian League Division One North title with VCD Athletic in 2013-14 and a Ryman League South Division title with Cray Wanderers in 2018-19, whilst being managed by Tony Russell.

The highly-rated goalkeeper made 192 appearances for Cray Wanderers.

Blue has also played for Orpington, Erith Town and Glebe and will be big shoes/gloves to fill at Beckenham Town next season.