BASINGSTOKE Town goalkeeper Scott Tarr has decided to hang up his gloves after being told by manager Ernie Howe that he was not going to be given a new contract when his current deal expires.

The 33-year-old's two-year deal will soon reach its conclusion and Howe believes a change is required between the posts after six years with Tarr as his number one.

The Town boss explained: "It is a big call on our part and it's not something we've treated at all lightly.

"Scotty has been a great servant and is a very able goalkeeper who deserves our praise for the way he has performed for this club.

"We had a very amicable chat and I told him the reasons why I wouldn't be offering him a new contract.

"He fully understood that I have to look at the best ways of moving forward as a team by making necessary changes."

Because he had yet to receive a fresh contract offer, when other team-mates had, Tarr sought to clarify the situation by speaking with his manager before the Dorchester game last Saturday.

After their conversation, Tarr, who has been out injured for three weeks with hamstring and knee problems, told The Gazette that he was "calling it a day".

And on Wednesday, in a phone call, he revealed further reasons - some of which he spoke about with Howe in Dorset - behind his decision.

Although admitting that he "will desperately miss being at Basingstoke Town", Tarr believes ending his career on the high of their superb Conference South campaign is the best way to bow out.

Similarly, after 17 years in non-league football, Tarr feels the time is now right to stop playing and instead put his wife and two young children first.

He said: "Being honest, an offer of a new contract would, possibly, have affected things differently, but Ernie explained his reasons for not doing it and I accept them.

"He said I could still stay part of the squad on a non-contract basis and try to earn the number one slot. But I said to him, with everything as it is, I need to make my family my priority now.

"All the years they've been second to my football commitments, it's been hard on them - as it is for all footballers' families - so it's time they were put first.

"I've already booked a trip for us all to South Africa in October's school holidays, as that's the only time we can do it.

"From Ernie's perspective, when he's planning for the new season, he can't have his goalkeeper missing four crucial autumn games."

Tarr, who works for Network Rail in Woking, continued: "I've earned a good living from the club and had six great years here.

"I would like to thank Ernie, Pete (Peters) and Rico (Steve Richardson), as well as everyone at the club for all of their support and the way they have helped me develop as a goalkeeper.

"I believe I've been in the top two or three 'keepers at our level in each of the last six seasons and I would like to think the club has had good service from me.

"That's what makes stopping a very hard decision to make because I love the club - the playing, being part of the atmosphere and banter before and after games. I will really miss that."

First published: Friday, April 29, 2005