Former Saddlers' defender calls time on professional career...
FORMER Saddlers’ full-back, Rhys Weston, has decided to bring down the curtain on his professional playing career after over 400 senior appearances.The 33 year-old was with AFC Wimbledon last term but ruptured his patella tendon during a loan spell at Sutton United in February.
“I have decided that enough is enough,” he admitted to us. “I am very proud of what I have achieved over the years but the time is right to pursue other things.
“I am currently working for Your Golf Travel, the World's leading golf travel company. Two guys that I grew up with started the company seven years ago and I have done bits and pieces for them in the past.
“I joined them full-time in April and I must say that I'm thoroughly enjoying the new challenge. Hopefully now I will hear from some Saddlers’ fans who are looking to book a golf trip!”
The Welsh International arrived at Banks’s Stadium in the summer of 2007 and despite injury halting his early progress, he went on to become a reliable and solid performer in the back-line, so much so that he came runner-up in the 2007/08 Player of the Season award.
His experience and know-how continued to serve us well until he was released at the end of 2009/10 and joined Dundee.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Walsall,” he added. “After a tough start, I felt that I settled in well and played some decent football.
“The supporters were always fair with me and, on the whole, they are a very loyal bunch who give good backing to the club.
“They have experienced their fair share of ups and downs over the years but have stuck by the club and I am pleased to see they are being treated to some exciting football under the guidance of Dean Smith.
“I am always interested to see how my old clubs are getting on and want them to be successful.
“I had the fortune to play with some very talented players during my time with Walsall. Michael Ricketts, Tommy Mooney, Stephen Hughes of the older persuasion and Scott Dann, Danny Fox, Anthony Gerrard, Troy Deeney from the younger group.
“It's great to see Will Grigg gaining International recognition and Jamie Paterson doing so well with Nottingham Forest in The Championship. They were just starting to emerge during my time here.”
Weston began his career at Arsenal where he made one Premiership appearance for The Gunners - at Newcastle in May 2000 - before moving on to Cardiff City in a £300,000 deal in November 2000.
During his time at Ninian Park, he figured in almost 200 games during a six-year stay.
After leaving the Welsh club, he linked up with Norwegian outfit, Viking FK in the summer of 2006, staying there five months before returning to these shores with Port Vale, for whom he made 15 appearances in the second half of 2006/07 before joining The Saddlers.
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