Former Town keeper Shane Supple has announced that he is retiring from football for a second time with immediate effect due to injury. The 31-year-old dramatically gave up the game aged only 22 when with the Blues in 2009 but made a comeback in his native Ireland in 2015.
Having played Gaelic football for parish club St Brigids and county side Dublin during his absence, he initially made his return to soccer with Crumlin United before being persuaded to join League of Ireland Bohemians a year later.
Supple has been Bohs regular number one for the last two seasons and in May received his first and only Republic of Ireland call-up but without making it on to the field.
In a statement on his club's website, Supple writes: "As of today, I will be hanging up my gloves and stepping away from the game.
"This is a decision I haven’t taken lightly but due to a persistent hip issue and, after consultations with medical professionals, as well as those closest to me, I feel I can no longer play to the level needed and, more importantly, that I expect of myself.
"I need to listen to my body and can no longer put it through the high level of physical demand required at this level of competition as a goalkeeper in the League of Ireland.
"I had envisaged playing long into my 30s and had intended doing that with Bohs — a club that has been so good to me and has given me the most enjoyable years of my playing career.
"Sport has given me so much enjoyment from as long as I can remember up to my last game in Dalymount at the end of this season.
"Sport has taught me some of the most valuable life lessons and allowed me to meet some great people who have had such a positive impact on my life. I can look back on my career with no regrets and an awful lot of fond memories.”
Having thanked Bohs manager Keith Long and other members of staff, Supple added: ”I’d finally like to thank my dad for everything he has done for me down through the years. I would not be the man I am today if it wasn’t for him. Whether it was Ireland or England, Gaelic or football you were always there. You were always my hero!
"Thank you to my mam and brother for their constant support down through the years even when I didn’t make life easy for them, and to my girlfriend who has been a great support in helping me make this tough decision. I’m not sure what is next but I am looking forward to the next chapter of my life.”
Supple made 36 starts and two sub appearances for the Blues having joined the academy as a full-time scholar aged 15.
Meanwhile, former Blues boss Paul Hurst is the 6-1 second-favourite to return to his old job at Shrewsbury with SkyBet, however, ex-Blackpool manager is currently odds-on at 13-8 to take over from John Askey, who was sacked yesterday.
Hurst is also among those linked with the AFC Wimbledon job but is well down the betting at 12-1 with Ian Holloway a strong favourite at 9-2.
Ex-Dons boss Neal Ardley is the evens favourite to take over at Notts County with Hurst the third-favourite for that position at 9-1.
Elsewhere, former loanee Richie Wellens is the new manager of Swindon, where Town defender Luke Woolfenden is on loan, with ex-Blues forward Noel Hunt his assistant.