livi saint Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 Dave Mackay has retired from football today... Sad news. St Johnstone Legend. cjw, HOODLUM65, AthensSaint and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livi saint Posted September 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 From the official website Club captain Dave Mackay has today announced his retirement as a player. The man who lifted the Scottish Cup in 2014 has been battling the effects of a hip injury since the summer of that year and has undergone two operations in a bid to rectify the problem. However, although both operations have brought about a degree of improvement, Dave doesn't feel that he can reach the physical level needed for continued first team football. Speaking to the Saints website, Dave said: “I've been aware of this issue for the past couple of years and although the first operation brought about a level of improvement that enabled me to get back playing and feeling fine, there was a gradual deterioration again over a period of time to the extent that I was unable to train. “A second operation followed which again helped but not to the extent that I feel that I can get back to the fitness levels needed for fulltime football. “The decision hasn't been an easy one but I've had to take into consideration that I don't want to do irreversible damage that affects me away from football - I'm only 35 and have a lot of years ahead of me that I don't want to be affected. “I've probably known in my own mind that this decision had to be made and I'm happy that I've given myself every chance to get back playing but it's not to be.” Dave won't be lost to the club in the near future as he has started to put his A Licence coaching badge to good effect by providing additional assistance with the club's Under 20s and discussions are ongoing about other roles he can play at McDiarmid Park. Dave continues: “I'll obviously miss playing but my decision opens up plenty of other opportunities for me both short and long term and I'm thoroughly enjoying my involvement with the Under 20s just now. “The club has done everything it could have to help in my recovery and I thank them for that and I thank the fans for their support over the past seven years and assure them I'll be around the club for some time yet.” Manager Tommy Wright says “We've been aware of this possible outcome for a few weeks now and it's disappointing news for Dave and the club but ultimately he is still a young man and it's the best decision for him and that's all that matters. “I could go on all day about what Dave has done for Saints but that is well documented in the club history books. The simple truth is that I'm losing a great player and my captain. Very few players can be described as irreplaceable but Dave comes close. He has recently been helping out with the under 20s and I know the Chairman is speaking with him regarding continued involvement at the club. He'll be missed in the dressing room with his leadership qualities and dry sense of humour and on behalf of myself, my staff and the players we wish him every success in the future.” Chairman Steve Brown said of the announcement: “Dave is quite rightly regarded as a club legend and the fact that he has been a regular in the team under three different managers is the best indication of how highly he is regarded in footballing terms. We are all disappointed that he is having to bring his career to a premature end but he had to consider his long term health and this is a sensible decision especially given that he has a young family. “We will endeavour to keep Dave in and around the club on match days and also during the week where we will provide every assistance to him as he attempts to build his coaching experience and gain additional coaching badges.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uphallsaint Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 Thanks DMcK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cagey Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 Not unexpected. Thanks Cuptie forr all the good years & cup. Doubt we will ever see your likes again in Saints blue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dooj Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 Sad news, albeit not entirely unexpected. Thanks for everything, Dave, and I hope you become a legendary Saints coach/manager one day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
templeofsaints Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 Sad to head - total legend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleepless Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 not a great surprise but very disappointing all the same. A St Johnstone hero, he will go down as one of our greatest ever players. As the man who lifted the Scottish Cup for the first time, he will never be forgotten by the club or its fans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rik2304 Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 Absolutely gutted.......................... Thank you Dave XXX Wendy Saints and Callum Mcdonald 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bankfoot saint Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 2 mins applause on Saturday in the 2nd minute ?? byebyedundee, Cagerf, Dave Ferg and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Wallace Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garydavidson Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 We all dream of a team with one Dave MacKay... templeofsaints and Cagerf 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abernethy Saint Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 Terrible news, but great to see he is staying with the club. Manager Dave one day? Total, utter legend now and forever. Thank you, Dave, and good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perthsaint1977 Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 staggering that he was never capped during his time with us. Was no other Scottish right back capable of lacing his boots for a period of about 3 years. Sad news Dave Ferg, fazman1977, Shaggy Jenkins and 4 others 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PauloPerth Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 He will be hugely missed in the dressing room. A great player and captain, and he seemed like a real gent. Sad he didn't get to bow out on his own terms, but he went out at the top, after captaining us to 4 European campaigns, a Scottish Cup win, and 4th place at the end of his last full season. Wish him all the best for whatever comes next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ex-montrosesaintee Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 Gutted. A genuine legend, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Grieve Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 staggering that he was never capped during his time with us. Was no other Scottish right back capable of lacing his boots for a period of about 3 years. Sad news Had he played for a 'bigger' team, or some team in Division 3 he would have 20 or more caps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R.B.B:- Adz Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 Terrible news for our club.. I bumped into him just on Sunday there where he was having lunch with his wife and kids in Bruntsfield and he was as positive and upbeat as ever.. I have no doubts he will go on to be a great coach and hopefully our manager one day. AthensSaint 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ScottMann Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 Expecting this news doesn't make it any easier. Sad day for Dave and the club. Great to see Steve Brown's doing all he can to keep him involved and hopefully offer him a future with the club. A misused term these days but Dave really is a club legend. I know Thursday is news release day for PA reasons but I wonder if it's also deliberately been made public just before a home game. Would be great to have Dave on the pitch at half time for the crowd to be able to say thanks and goodbye, playing wise of course! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfxr242 Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 deserves a testimonial Dave Ferg and Mizfit 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ex-montrosesaintee Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 legend Abernethy Saint, deej, blueheaven and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
south inch Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 Thanks Dave and all the best for the future. In my opinion you are the best and most wholehearted player ever to grace a St. Johnstone shirt and in saying that I'm going right back to the days of Paddy Buckley and Joe Carr. Dave Ferg 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ScottMann Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 deserves a testimonial Totally. The first re-appearance of the cup winning team needed I think! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy rhodes fancy watch Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 Dave was the only player in the last 15 years I'd genuinely call a legend. Could count on 1 hand the number of bad games he had. And for a defender what a free kick the boy had. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edstar101 Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 The guy deserves every tribute and accolade the club and fans can give him Great servant to Saints as a player and hopefully now in other roles for many years to come Loud and long renditions of 'we all dream' on Saturday a must Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul N Shark Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 Total sickener, one of the best to wear a Saints shirt, Dave lifting the Scottish Cup is one of my lifes best memories. All the best in the future and i hope the club looks after him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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