FORMER Dell boy Paul Masters has taken the heartbreaking decision to retire at the age of the 33.

After shedding weight and putting in hours of extra training, the re-energised ex-Saints midfielder hit a rich vein of form for Wessex outfit BAT and was targeted by FA Vase winners Winchester City in September.

The loyal club captain described his decision to stay at Southern Gardens as one of the toughest of his career but, cruelly, he has been stopped in his tracks just four months later by a serious knee injury.

Masters, who featured alongside the likes of Alan Shearer, Jeff Kenna, Neil Maddison, Tommy Widdrington and Nicky Banger in the Saints' reserves side of the late 80s/early 90s, had reconstruction surgery to heal cruciate knee ligament problems as a 21-year-old at The Dell.

He went on to enjoy a successful non-League career, doing the rounds of Dorchester, Salisbury, Havant, Waterlooville and Bashley, but specialists have warned him he risks permanent damage if he carries on playing.

Masters admitted: "It's a nightmare. I had an exploratory operation and, although I expected them to tell me the knee was a bit of a mess, I didn't expect this. The results were a lot worse than either the surgeon or I thought they'd be. There's so much wear and tear and I've got arthritis setting in already.

"I'm going to need a replacement knee at some stage and I was told that, if I carried on playing, the chances were it would be in five rather than 15 years' time - and I don't want to be 38 and walking round with a replacement knee.

"I'd got used to playing with a bit of pain and had got myself fit and was really enjoying it. It's going to be a nightmare not to play again. I've had a great time both socially and football-wise. It gets to be your life."

BAT boss Andy Leader has already offered Masters a job on the coaching staff, but admits he'll leave a huge void in the Tobaccomen's midfield engine room.

He said: "It's a massive kick in the teeth for us, but it's the lad I feel gutted for. It's one thing having to retire when you're too old and too fat like me, but to have to hang your boots up when you're only 33 and you can still play as well as Paul does must be a bitter pill to swallow.

"But maybe in football some things are meant to be. I'm a great believer in fate and I'm pleased this didn't happen to Paul at Winchester City. That's no slight on them, but he's our player and he belongs here. Perhaps this is the reason he didn't go."

Leader has handed the captain's armband to another experienced midfielder, Dave Lewis, ahead of tomorrow's home game against Bemerton Heath Harlequins.

"Dave deserves it," said the boss. "He's another old campaigner who looks after his body. He and Paul Masters have been our backbone in the centre of the park."

BAT hope to welcome back goalkeeper Gareth Barfoot while James Roden returns from a seven-day suspension for five bookings. Defender Lee Hodder has been bothered by a chipped ankle bone and limped off towards the end of last Saturday's 3-1 home defeat by Thatcham.