I’ve decided to finally hang up my boots after 18 seasons & 830 career appearances.
The truth is, I’ve dreaded this day — not because I’m in love with football, but because I’ll miss the competition, the opponents, the battles, my teammates and staff, and of course the supporters and volunteers.

I always promised myself I wanted to be remembered for the player I have been, not someone who stayed one year too long.

I feel that time is now, to step aside and let someone else take the reins.
I’m aware I could play for more years and continue to drop levels for comfort, but truth is, it’s just not me! I wanted to compete at the highest level in my final year, which is reflective of my character, I’ve pushed myself and tested myself continuously throughout my career.
I also promised myself I would retire at the club I’ve chosen to be loyal to for the past decade, and I’m a man of my word.

Nuneaton Town FC — my hometown club.
Words cannot express how grateful I am to have played for the club I supported as a child. Every game was personal. I loved climbing the divisions and made it my mission to play a part in that journey. You gave me a platform to learn, grow, and develop — for that, I’ll be forever grateful. It will always be my hometown club, and I’ll always be a fan. Up the Boro!

Solihull Moors FC.
In a short space of time, I learned so much, sharing a dressing room full of leaders and characters. You gave me memories I’ll cherish forever, both on and off the pitch and an appetite and taste to win even more. Thank you.

Brackley Town FC — my home away from home.
I’m not quite sure where to start, but I’ll try.
When I was asked to sign for this club - I saw a vision — and an opportunity to work with incredible people once more.

My mentality has always been simple — give everything to the club, team and management, and hope they give the same back.

I’ve been fortunate to share dressing rooms with fantastic footballers, but more importantly, incredible people. Lifelong friendships have been forged — people I love and will carry with me forever. To every teammate and member of staff: thank you for the memories, on and off the pitch.

To the amazing fans — when I arrived I remember my first conversation with the gaffer and he said “fix the changing room”, I wanted to help foster a sense of togetherness, community, accountability and responsibility.

We have truly embraced the local, community-driven spirit that Brackley Town represents. Seeing so many young people come through the doors now is something I’m incredibly proud of. I hope the club continues to grow and evolve. Any players past or present understand the importance of the connection, these foundations are what makes this club so great.

Thank you for welcoming me and my family so warmly over the years. You’ve watched me and my incredible wife be foster carers for four years, you were always kind to the little people we have looked after. So thank you — not just from me, but from them — for giving them a sanctuary during some very tough journeys. I’m excited to have more time to watch my family grow and be present at home, my family have made sacrifices for me and now is the time for me to give some time back to them.

I wanted to leave this club in a better place than when I found it — and I truly believe I have.
Allan, Olly, Jan, Matt — thank you for your faith in me over the years. I’ve loved being this club’s captain, I’ve also been privileged to watch your tireless work for a decade and it’s inspiring.

I’ve had the best time, and I’ll be forever grateful. I’ll miss each and every one of you. It has been one of the greatest privileges of my career to represent and captain this club and town. If I’ve played a part in helping shape the identity of this club, then that means more to me than anything I achieved on the pitch.

It feels like yesterday that a fluffy-haired boy made his debut for his hometown club. I was blessed with mentors who invested in me, not just as a footballer, but as a person. Now I stand here being the mentor to young men — and I’ve loved that journey from boy to leader. A football career ends far quicker than you ever expect.

Stick together, every failure, is an opportunity to work harder, grow, demand more from yourself and become better. Sometimes you have to suffer, it’s part of the bigger plan.
I hope to see you all at the weekend to say goodbye.

This is a goodbye as a player, but I’m excited to remain at the club in another capacity.

Don’t be sad it’s over.
Be grateful it happened.

Love to you all, I’ll miss you!
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Gaz Dean