Long-serving Bradford defender David Wetherall was voted League Two's outstanding performer for March by givemefootball readers - and therefore enters the race to become the division's PFA 2UP Fans' Player of the Year. The 37-year-old showed his younger counterparts how it should be done with several top performances. The central defender went into Bantams' folklore by scoring the goal that kept them in the Premiership on the last day of the season a few years back and now, as he prepares to hang up his boots at the end of the season, he talks to Lawrie Madden about his pending retirement...and future role as a coach.
Q:WHAT DOES THE PFA AWARD MEAN TO YOU - ESPECIALLY AT THIS LATE STAGE IN YOUR CAREER?
A:It's nice to get awards at any time and to be recognised for your efforts and it might be possible that the fact I announced that I would be stopping playing at the end of the season had influenced a few people. But it's great, nonetheless.
Q:WHAT PROMPTED YOUR DECISION TO RETIRE AT THE END OF THE SEASON?
A:I was becoming increasingly frustrated at not being able to do the things that I used to be able to do. Situations I would normally deal with comfortably were suddenly becoming a struggle. You are not the same at 37 as you are at 27.
Q:SO WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF YOUR OLD MATE DEAN WINDASS STILL GOING STRONG AT HULL?
A:It used to be said that defenders went on to play longer but I don't think that is true these days. As a defender you still get involved in races and if you lose the race the odds are that it will be a goal. Players like Dean and Terry Sheringham never had pace and so if they lost a race it didn't matter. They are clever types of players with good technique and football intelligence and they can play on a lot longer.
Q:WHAT ABOUT THE FUTURE FOR YOU?
A:I signed a five-year deal when I was 34 and had two years left. But at 34 you cannot say you will be playing at 39. There was a clause in my contract to deal with that. The club are in total agreement and the manager said he was looking for another coach so it all fell into place.
Q:WHEN WILL IT SINK IN?
A:I have had a while to think about it. I am sure pre-season will be the time when it dawns on me. I am still registered as a player and can pull on the boots in case of emergencies but the chances are that I will not be playing again.
Q:IS THIS THE WAY YOU WOULD HAVE LIKED TO END YOUR CAREER?
A:I know every game could be my last but it is my decision. Lots of players end their careers through injury or get left out and struggle. No, it is the right decision for me and the club. I have had a good and long career.
Q:SO WHAT HAVE BEEN THE HIGHLIGHTS?
A:The first season in the Premiership with Bradford was great as we stayed up against the odds. No-one gave us a chance and it went to the last game when we beat Liverpool. I was fortunate to score. Another highlight was being with Leeds and we beat Manchester United 1-0 and I scored the winner there too.
Q:HOW DO YOU SEE THE FUTURE FOR BRADFORD?
A:I think the club and the team are going in the right direction. We have bottomed-out financially and have turned the corner. For a time it was cutback after cutback. Now we are stable and looking to build. It was a struggle early in the season but we have got stronger. I am positive about the club. There is a buzz about the place, especially from the fans. This is a massive club for this division. The manager has been in the job a year now and can assess this league and because of our fan base I am sure we can bring in players to bring the club success.
