Clarke Carlisle retires from football

Northampton Town defender Clarke Carlisle has announced that he has made the decision to retire from professional football.

Carlisle has made more than 500 appearances for the likes of Queens Park Rangers, Leeds United and Burnley, and Northampton boss Aidy Boothroyd has praised the 33-year-old for his contribution to the game.

Boothroyd told the club's official website: "He has done well for us, he was part of the team who got us out of trouble last season and who took us on this season. He has been strong for us and he formed a formidable partnership with Kelvin Langmead.

"He is a leader and an organiser and for him, it is about moving on to the next chapter of his life.

"We wish him well. I am grateful I have been able to be his manager and for the contribution he has made, not just to Northampton Town, but to football in general."

The centre-back's last match came in Northampton's 3-0 League Two playoff final defeat to Bradford City last weekend.