FARSLEY Celtic skipper Rob O’Brien surprised people when he announced his retirement from the game but is sure he has made the right decision.

The last game in the long career of the former Park Avenue and Doncaster Rovers midfielder was the Celts' final game of the season, in which he scored the opener in a 2-1 win.

With the dust settled on that game a fortnight ago, O’Brien said: “I’d been thinking about it for a while and I made my mind up around Christmas but I kept it within the family until the last week of the season.

“I’ve got no injuries and I feel healthy but I’ve been in football for the last 20 years and that’s a long time to keep coming back for every new season. I’ve really enjoyed it and I’ve been at a high level in the semi-pro game since leaving Doncaster.

“The clubs that I’ve played for have all been really good clubs but Ossett Town, Bradford Park Avenue and Farsley Celtic will always be special to me. But it's time to call it a day because I’ve been doing it while progressing in my day job, which is my career off the pitch.

“I’ll be busy concentrating on that from now on and I’m looking to spend a lot more time with family and friends, especially after starting a family.

"James Knowles (his Farsley team mate) beat me to that with his little 'un coming a few weeks before ours but he’s already talking about joint football-themed birthday parties for them in the future.”

While he feels he has made the right decision, he admits he hasn’t had the chance to miss it yet. The test will come when his former team-mates will be active on social media, buzzing about the new season.

O’Brien said: “Everything feels the same now as we’ve finished but the clubs higher up are all gearing up for the play-offs so I’ll be watching those games. We always get six or eight weeks off so all this is normal.

“I’ll have to see how I feel when all the lads are messaging about pre-season games here and there and going on about who they’ve had offers from.

"I think it might feel a bit strange then but I’m finished. It’s over for me.”