Newcastle United players make classy gesture in traditional post-win photo as former Toon hero retires
This week, former Newcastle United player Paul Dummett made the decision to hang up his boots at the age of 34, just over a year after leaving the Magpies.
Last summer, Dummett was released from Newcastle United and struggled to find a new home in the wake of his departure.
Indeed, the former Wales international found his way to Wigan Athletic and Carlisle United, making just three appearances for each.
On Friday, Dummett announced his retirement from the game via social media, and there was instantly an outpouring of support from Newcastle United, led by Eddie Howe.
Paul Dummett has admitted his retirement has come earlier than he was expecting
Paul Dummett acknowledged his retirement has come earlier than he was expecting in an interview with Newcastle's official site.
"When I left Newcastle, I probably never thought I was going to retire at 34. But growing up, being a kid who wanted to play for Newcastle, and with the number of years I spent at the club… I could never have dreamed of doing all that, so I look back with a lot of pride. I don't have any regrets.
"The last couple of years haven't worked out how I wanted them to, for one reason or another. 'Former footballer' still sounds weird. I'm still probably too young to be saying that. But I think for me, it just feels like the right time. The offers that I had haven't been right for me, so I just feel like rather than sitting and waiting for something better to come or not come, I can just put it to bed and concentrate on the next part of my life that doesn't involve playing football every day. I will miss it massively."
Bruno Guimaraes held up a Dummett shirt in the dressing room photo after the Burnley win
While Howe led the tributes, Bruno Guimaraes held up a Newcastle shirt with Dummett's name and number on the back as the team posed for their post-win dressing-room photo.
It was a classy gesture by the captain for a player who gave so much to the club. He may not have been the greatest player to don the black and white stripes, but he was one of those players who got the job done and always put everything into the game when he was on the pitch, and sometimes that means more.
We wish Dummett the best of luck with whatever he chooses to do next.
