Former Wanderers defender George Taft has announced that he is “stepping away from football”.

The 31-year-old had been playing in the non-league pyramid in recent years and has now decided to hang up his boots.

“Sometimes your body can be telling you what you need. After 15 incredible years on the field, I’m stepping away from football,” he wrote on social media.

“I’m forever grateful for the chance to live my dream. Now, it’s time to repay my family and girls for travelling up and down the country every weekend to watch me play.

“I’ve made friends for life in this game and memories to last a life time.”

Taft started out at Leicester City and had loan spells at Kettering and York City, as well as a stint in Sweden.

The centre-back got his first taste of EFL football in 2014/15 with Burton as the Brewers clinched the League One title.

He also had a loan spell at Cambridge before heading to Mansfield in the summer of 2016. Taft returned to the Abbey Stadium a year later, initially on loan before making the move permanent.

The defender arrived at Wanderers in 2020 after Ian Evatt took charge at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.

He went on to make a handful of appearances during the first half of the campaign, including a start against Newport in the league.

Taft headed to Scunthorpe several months later and spent a couple of years with the Iron as they suffered relegation to the National League North.

The 31-year-old also had stints at Worksop Town and more recently Mickleover in the Northern Premier League, but he has now decided to call time on his playing career.

An update from Mickleover read: “After a short spell, George Taft has had to make the difficult decision to retire from football.

“Everyone at Mickleover congratulates George on an amazing career and thank you for finishing it here with us. Enjoy retirement with your family.”

Former Bolton team-mate Adam Senior was among the players who sent messages of support to Taft. He wrote: “What a man, all the best my mate”.