FORMER Latics midfielder Mark Bonner has announced his retirement from football after he was warned that playing on may lead to future disability.

The 32-year-old agreed to terminate his contract last month after breaking his arm in a collision with team-mate Rob Scott in the 2-2 draw at Port Vale in September.

While disappointed that the end came about in this way, Bonner admitted he had no option other than to call it quits.

He said: "I snapped the ulna in my left forearm at Port Vale, had it pinned immediately and, after five or six weeks, the pins came out.

"However, the plate came loose and it had to be repinned so I had a bone graft off my hip to help it stick together and then there were further X-rays.

"The surgeon told me that plates and pins are high risk, so if it breaks again, I wouldn't be able to use my arm very well afterwards.

"At my age, I didn't want to play for another two years with the threat of a disability so the surgeon's advised me to pack it in.

"I knew it was a bad break to start off with, but I was hoping it would recover in time. It was a bit of a shock but I've come to terms with it - I'm glad it happened at 32 and not 21 so I've at least had 16 terrific years in football."

While some footballers leave the sport with no idea what to do next, Bonner has had no such problem.

He had already prepared for life beyond football and takes the view that his plans have been put into action two years earlier than expected.

He said: "I'm setting up my own company retailing furniture which is something I've been looking into over the past two years.

"We'll be retailing from a place in Chorley and I've got good contacts with manufacturers that have been built up over five to 10 years."

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