Former West Ham winger Matthew Etherington has announced his retirement with an ongoing back problem.
The 33-year-old was with the Irons for six years between 2003-2009 scoring 16 goals in 165 appearances
Etherington wrote on Twitter: “Due to an ongoing back problem, the day has come for me to retire from professional football.
“I have some amazing memories since the day I made my debut at just 15yrs old. Thank you to all the great clubs I have played for and to the supporters.
And presumably in a reference to the gambling problems he experienced he said: “I have made some mistakes along the way but it has made me who I am today. I look at the past with pride and to the future with optimism.”
