Ex-Blues loanee Richard Stearman has announced his retirement from football, aged 36.

The defender has taken a role as first-team coach at his final club Solihull Moors.

Stearman joined Town on loan from Wolves for the second half of the 2012/13 season in which McCarthy led the Blues away from what seemed certain relegation from the Championship and made 15 appearances at right-back,

Wolverhampton-born Stearman, who was capped by England at U16, U17, U19 and U21 levels, started his career with Leicester before moving on to Wolves.

Having returned to the fold at Molineux in 2013/14 following their relegation to League One, Stearman, who also operated at centre-half, moved on to Fulham on a full-time basis at the end of that season having helped his hometown side to the title, having previously been in the squad which carried off the Championship in 2008/09.

While with the Cottagers, he spent a further stint on loan with Wolves before moving on to Sheffield United - with whom he again won promotion from the Championship - Huddersfield, Derby and finally Solihull Moors.

Photo: Action Images

Uhlenbeek added 16:55 - Jul 11 I remember him coming in and helping to steady the ship during a dreadful season. Good man, we will always be grateful for your efforts at a dark time in our history! Happy retirement
5

starofanglia added 17:11 - Jul 11 Will not forget ‘that’ tackle on ironically Johnny Parr
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oldelsworthyfan added 17:15 - Jul 11 I wish we had had him here for longer - he was one of the most solid full backs we had during the McCarthy era.
4

monkeymagic added 17:35 - Jul 11 McCarthy did some cracking loan business that season, RS being a good example. DJ up front and N’Dawe in midfield doing a great job for us too. Nothing compared to now but I really enjoyed the great escape at the time.
5

Stu_boy added 18:08 - Jul 11 Cracking player, always thought highly of him and was a shame we didnt bring him back after his loan but all the best to him for whatever comes next
3

bluebullet29l added 18:28 - Jul 11 Slow news day
-3

Pendejo added 04:22 - Jul 13 Doesn't quite get the full credit he deserves for those 15 games Don't have right now to check the facts, but pretty sure he has an excellent - wins, points and clean sheets ratio. One of those we should have kept longer
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