ANDY COLLETT last night thanked the Darlington fans who have given the goalkeeper his "best years in the game."

The Quakers stopper yesterday announced his retirement from professional football after failing to recover from a shoulder injury.

Collett admitted he was left with no option but to hang up his gloves on the advice of specialists.

And, after four-and-a-half years with Quakers, Collett was quick to pay tribute to the fans, with whom he'd built a special relationship during his time at the club.

"I had a brilliant rapport with the fans," said Collett.

"I'd like to thank them for giving me some of my best years in the game. They were absolutely fantastic with me.

"It's been a difficult decision to make but it's something I have had little choice in doing."

Collett has not played since dislocating his shoulder during a practice match in January.

The shot-stopper was scheduled to return to action this month.

But after meeting with specialists this week Collett has been told his hopes of a full recovery are slim.

"I spoke to a specialist and he told me I had a 20 per cent chance of making a full recovery," said Collett. "I was told that it would be a massive operation for a full-time goalkeeper to recover from.

"I'm devastated but with those kind of odds there was little point in me carrying on."

The Teessider began his career with hometown club Middlesbrough, before moving to Bristol Rovers in 1994.

After five years and 126 appearance for the Pirates, Collett returned to the North-East in 1999, joining Quakers on a free transfer.

Starring in 146 games for Quakers, Collett was part of the side which lost to Peterborough at Wembley in Third Division play-off final in 2000.

He soon established himself as a firm favourite with the fans with some outstanding performances.

Collett was best remembered for his one-man show against bitter rivals Hartlepool in 2001 when he produced a string of miraculous saves to earn Quakers a point, even earning the plaudits of then-Pool boss Chris Turner.

It was in the same game that Collett later learned that he had broken a finger during his efforts.

Sadly, it was through injury that Collett never got to fulfil his potential at a higher level.

The custodian missed the entire pre-season last year with an injury to his opposite shoulder.

And, despite returning to the side in time for the start of the season, Collett was consigned to more time on the sidelines in September when he picked up a punctured lung in the Carling Cup win at Bradford. But it was an injury sustained in January which effectively ended Collett's career, in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Gretna.

"I was just coming over for a cross and their lad came in and clattered me," said Collett.

"I'm devastated because I was just getting back to full fitness when I dislocated my shoulder."

It was Quakers boss David Hodgson who brought Collett to the club during his second spell in charge.

And Hodgson admitted: "It's hugely disappointing. I'm absolutely gutted for the lad.

"He was desperate to get playing again but it seems as though he's had no choice in the matter.

"He was never going to be able to recover sufficiently enough to play again which is a terrible blow for him."

Hodgson travelled down to Cheshire with the rest of the squad yesterday, in preparation for today's crucial relegation clash at second-bottom Macclesfield.

With just three points separating the sides and Quakers one place above the Silkmen, assistant manager Martin Gray is under no illusions of the importance of the six-pointer.

He said: "It's a massive game for both clubs and I think it will have a big say on how the rest of the season will pan out.

"We'll take points in any way they come and the Macclesfield game is no different.

"If it means going down there and scrapping for a result we'll do it."

Macclesfield ran out 1-0 winners against a below-par Quakers in December and Gray added: "We were very poor against them at home so we owe them one."

Former Sunderland striker Craig Russell is in line to make his full debut for the club, with on-loan Sunderland forward Neil Teggart suspended.

Ryan Valentine looks set to earn a recall as Ian Clark serves a one-match ban. Skipper Neil Maddison is fit to start despite picking up an ankle injury at Bury last week.

Brian Close is included in the squad after joining the club on a free transfer from Middlesbrough on Thursday.

Macclesfield player-boss John Askey will include Steve Payne in his squad after re-signing the defender from Chesterfield this week. Midfielder Chris Priest looks set to return following an ankle injury.

However, Neil Moss (foot), Matt Carragher (calf) and Michael Carr (ankle) remain sidelined.