The Journal | Player Profiles | Media Centre | Premiership 2003

Author: Scott Cooper
Date:4/8/03
Time:11.00am

 Wolves Play-Off Final Hero Denis Irwin has confirmed that this will be his last season playing football and will retire after Wolves final Premiership Game at home to Tottenham Hotspur on the 15th May.

 Irwin along with Paul Ince were both persuaded by Wolves Manager Dave Jones to stop on for one more season - they both were persuaded but Irwin insists this is his last season.

 Irwin, 38 in October, missed all but three of Wolves games last season, scoring some vital goals from set-pieces and missing from the 12yrd spot at Rotherham at the cup, but the most decorated player in English football will not be persuaded to stay another season after this.

 Irwin told the E&S I'm not looking beyond this season. No, no no. That's it. May 15 next year , or whatever date it is at the end of the season, is the end.

"Yes, that's me finished. I initially went for a year to get them up and I've helped them to do that. The next job is to keep them up in the Premiership - that's the challenge"

 But like everyone at the club, Irwin is looking forward to the challenge ahead.

 He added "I'm really looking forward to the new season, I've been working hard at my fitness and I know it will be hard going in the Premiership.

"It's a big enough challenge for any player but when you are my age it's a daunting prospect. I feel good although I admit I was tired at the end of the season.

"I'd played a lot of matches but I asked myself if I was fit and I answered 'yes'. That's the main reason why I decided to carry on.

"We won't be up in the top six. But we will scrap away with the big boys and battle for every point. I like challenges and they don't come much bigger than this."

 And for his trip back to old gaffer Sir Alex ...

Wolves

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