Veteran announces retirement after leaving Sheffield United
Ben Mee has made the decision to retire after leaving Sheffield United
Sheffield United defender Ben Mee has announced his retirement at the age of 36.
Mee revealed earlier this week that he is to leave the Blades at the end of his cuurent contract which runs out next month and on Wednesday night brought to an end a 16-year senior career.
The Manchester-born defender, who began his career at Man City, joined United in September but managed just 16 appearances, which he had admitted in his message on social media he was ‘disappointed’ about.
It was at Burnley where Mee made a name for himself, spending 10 years at Turf Moor, largely under Sean Dyche where he took the Clarets into the Premier League and qualified for Europe courtesy of a seventh-placed finish in the top flight in 2017/18.
A three-year spell at Brentford followed before he rocked up at Bramall Lane under, first, Ruben Selles and then Chris Wilder but despite the Blades boss praising the impact Mee was having on the squad as a hugely experienced player, he was unable to nail down a place in the team on the regular basis.
Revealing his decision to retire to Sky Sports News, Mee said: “ After loving every minute of my career, I've decided that the time's right to call it a day and hang up my boots for the foreseeable.”
He added: “Yeah, a tough decision, obviously. It's been my whole life, as any other footballer as well would tell you. But I kind of had it in my mind that this season was going to be probably my last season.
“I wanted to give it everything that I had this season and try and play as many games as possible. But yeah, I felt it's the right time. I'm looking forward to new challenges along the way and a new chapter.”
Mee went on to say that he will now look to work in the media before potentially pursuing a career in coaching.
“I've had some great experiences within the media,” he told Sky Sports News. “So I look forward to doing more of that, for sure. I've really enjoyed it. It's something I'll pursue. As I say, I went on the walk with Thomas Frank. He was saying, take years out and then do some coaching and do that side of things. So that's potentially an option.
“But certainly media in the near future, I'd love to do more of that. And yeah, I've got some other interests that I want to pursue as well. And obviously spending time with the family. I've got young kids, so spending time with those two will be fantastic as well and really valuable.
“So yeah, hopefully got a few things in the pipeline. And I'm looking forward to a new challenge, like I said, and looking forward to the future.”
Earlier in the week Mee admitted it was far from the way he thought the season would pan out but paid tribute to those at United for the past 11 months since he arrived in South Yorkshire.
“It’s not been the season any of us wanted, but I’m grateful to have had the pleasure of playing for this great club in front of an incredible fan base and meeting all the brilliant people who make the club tick, players and staff alike,” he posted on Instagram.
“As I move onto the next chapter I will look back fondly on a number of moments over the course of my time with the club.
“Of course I would have loved to help the team out more in the second half of the season and [I’m] disappointed I wasn’t given the opportunity to do so, but that’s football.
“I wish everyone involved with the club the best for next season and beyond.”