AFTER seven years with Darlington and over 300 appearances, defender Craig Liddle last night announced his playing days are over.

Following a season of struggling against injury, when he played only 22 games, the decision had been expected, but Liddle has waited until now, after seeing specialists, to call time.

Although the 33-year-old still has a year remaining on the contact he signed when David Hodgson returned to the club in November 2003, Chester-le-Street- born Liddle has made the brave decision to step down a year early instead of fighting what could have turned into a season-long losing battle.

Liddle, who made 322 appearances for Quakers in all competitions since signing from Middlesbrough in 1998, said last night: "Unfortunately, after much deliberating, I have had to call time on my professional football career on the advice of two leading specialists.

"Injuries have taken their toll over the last two or three years and the detachment of part on my stomach muscle cannot be repaired enough for me to carry on full-time football.

"I could have struggled on for another year but I feel I would not be able to perform at the standard I have set over the years."

His last game was the 1-0 defeat at Leyton Orient in February, when he suffered a recurrence of a stomach muscle strain.

Also this season Liddle persevered with a shoulder injury and a micro fracture to his right knee cap, an injury similar to the one he played on with through the whole of the previous season.

Hodgson originally signed Liddle on loan from Boro. He lost 4-0 on his debut at Mansfield before making the move permanent that summer.

Since then he's been a permanent fixture at the heart of Quakers' defence, making the number four shirt his own.

In doing so he has earned a reputation for being a committed and determined defender, perhaps never more so when he played on despite sustaining a broken ankle against Hull City in October 2001.

He had the opportunity to leave the club at the end of that season but fans demanded he stay, holding up banners of support at the last home game of the campaign against Plymouth.

When he reached the 300-appearance landmark in April 2004 with a home game against Swansea City, Liddle received a commemorative honour from Darlington Supporters Club.

"I have been fortunate to have had a special relationship with the fans over the years and I can't possibly thank them enough for the wonderful support I have received," said Liddle, who stands 11th in the club's list of all-time appearances.

"I have many happy memories from my time at the club and it has been an absolute pleasure to have played and captained the side on many occasions.

"The club and supporters will always have a special place in my heart."

Liddle has long stated he would like to move into coaching after his playing days - he already has the UEFA B licence he achieved while working at Middlesbrough's School of Excellence two years ago, but it is not yet clear where the defender's future lies.

Attentions now switch to his testimonial year which, although he was not a player for the usual requirement of ten years, is permitted as he had to quit playing through injury.

The friendly with Middlesbrough on Saturday, July 23, will be his testimonial, while there are also other events being planned such as a golf day (June 30) and a sportsman's dinner at Tall Trees, Yarm (October 1).

Meanwhile, Hodgson fears losing winger Jason St Juste to Southampton.

The teenager arrived from non-league Garforth Town mid-season but only signed a contract until May 30, allowing the youngster to leave for free at the end of the month.

And, with Harry Redknapp interested, Hodgson admitted: "Jason's not answering his phone which is something he's probably been advised to do by his agent, who we can't get through to either. But we've heard from a source that he's off to Southampton. It's disappointing because we gave Jason an opportunity. It feels like a very nasty way to go about things."