Former Imps Midfielder Retires From Football Aged Just 28

Former Imps loanee Joe Morrell has officially retired from football.

The 28-year-old has been injured for almost two years now, after a piece of cartilage broke off his left knee while playing for Pompey. Despite fighting back recently, a trial at Plymouth didn’t result in a contract, and he’s now officially retiring.

“This is not something that I ever thought that I would be writing at the age of 28, but today I’ve officially retired from professional football. After almost two years of rehab, trying to get my body back in to a place to train, play and compete in the professional game, I’ve had to admit the fact that I am no longer capable of this.

“It’s been an incredibly tough 21 months, full of promise, hope, tears and dark moments, but I’m at peace with the fact that I’ll never again be able to play,” he wrote on Twitter.

“I can’t thank my close friends, family and most importantly my amazing wife enough, for the support that they’ve given me during this time. I firmly believe that I will come out of this period a more resilient, well rounded person with a greater sense of perspective on what’s important in life.

“Football is what I do and not who I am. I am truly one of the lucky ones, and I’m so thankful for the career that I’ve had. Being able to live out not just my dream, but the dream of millions of boys and girls around the world was never something that I took for granted, and I hope that it always came across that way.

“Starting at Bristol City, and finishing at Portsmouth, with stops at Cheltenham Town, Lincoln City and Luton Town. I would like to thank all of the supporters, staff, and teammates of these clubs for all of the love and support you gave me during my time there.

“Almost 200 appearances in all three EFL divisions, 37 caps for the Welsh National Team, including trips to two major tournaments, UEFA Euro 2020 and The FIFA World Cup 2022. I’m proud to say that I gave it absolutely everything to make the most of my career, and the sacrifices, sweat and tears were all worth it.

“I will be approaching the next stage of my life with the same passion, enthusiasm and ambition and I can’t wait to get started with that process now.”

Morrell came to City at the start of the 2019/20 season after a successful spell with Cheltenham Town. He was a grafter, a tough-tackling presence in the middle of the park.

Twice he ‘scored’ and had the goals awarded to someone else, once as we beat Burton 5-1, and again in his final game for us, the 3-2 win against Burton pre-COVID. However, it is not a goal he is remembered for, but his ability to work the opposition, in play and out of it. Getting Demebele sent off immediately after coming on as we faced Peterborough is one example of his mastery of the dark arts.

Morrell left us for bigger things, and was a member of the Wales squad that went to Euro 2021, playing two full matches and twice completing an hour as they emerged from the group stages.

The Stacey West wish Joe well with whatever comes next.