May could be set to retire

Last updated : 23 June 2004 By Tony Scholes

Along with Mark McGregor, Paul Weller and Dean West his contract came to an end and the club said it would all have to wait until the new manager was installed.

Steve Cotterill has spoken to all four of them and told them to accept offers elsewhere so it is clear that there are unlikely to be futures at Burnley for them.

May is the first one to speak about the situation and admitted yesterday that his Burnley career was over.


He told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, “I will not be going back to Burnley. I've spoken to the new manager, Steve Cotterill, and I wish him and the club all the very best in the future.


"I thoroughly enjoyed the season I had at Turf Moor and the fans were different class but now the time has come to think ahead. I've had a few offers that I'm thinking about, but I haven't ruled out retirement yet either.

"I'll take my time, enjoy the summer and see what develops from there."

He joined the Clarets just days into last season and made his debut in a 4-1 defeat at West Brom but apart from one break for injury he was a virtual ever present in the side. He captained the Clarets when Branch wasn’t in the side but by the end of the season had the captain’s arm band ahead of Branch.


He was involved in an alleged head butting incident with manager Stan Ternent that made the national papers. May himself never spoke about it although the manager laughed it off.

Overall May did well for the Clarets, despite the odd poor performance such as those at Preston and Coventry. He made 35 league appearances and scored four goals.


I’m sure Burnley fans will wish him well whether he decides to stay in the game or not.