Stoke City striker Michael Owen has insisted that he "couldn't have asked for any more" from his final match before retirement from football.
The former England international was given a standing ovation from all four sides of St Mary's Stadium, as the Potters endured a 1-1 draw on the final day of the season with Southampton.
While he only touched the ball three times during the 16 minutes he spent on the field, the 33-year-old is adamant that he couldn't have had a better sending-off.
"I couldn't have asked for any more, really," Owen said. "The Stoke supporters were fantastic, considering I've not had much of an influence on the team for the season I've been here. But they sang my name all game and I am really privileged to have the send-off. And the home fans as well, that was particularly special.
"So, it was a great day all round and pleased that we shared the spoils as well. Everyone's been coming up to me saying so many nice things and that they've enjoyed watching me play over the years. I won't name his name but even one of the Southampton players was saying that he used to watch my Soccer Skills video, so that made me feel a bit old.
"But it's nice that I've brought some pleasure to a lot of people and it's certainly been a pleasure playing myself. I've really enjoyed it and time to move on, as they say."
Owen also featured for Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle and Manchester United during his career.
Matt Cotton
