IT TOOK every ounce of strength Gary Green had to get through an interview immediately after yesterday's Vase final at Birmingham City.

Playing the full 90 minutes in soaring spring temperatures would have had many a fresh-legged teenager flagging, let alone a midfield veteran of 40.

Little wonder then that Bognor-based Green admitted: "I'm very, very tired. When we came to look round St Andrews on Friday I said how small the pitch looked - but I don't feel like that now!"

Although Green is still going ahead with appeals against the lengthy suspensions that threaten to rule him out for 182 days next season, he viewed yesterday's 2-0 defeat of AFC Sudbury as his farewell performance for Winchester City.

He confirmed: "I'm definitely packing up now. I'll be signed on again next season and if I'm needed I might play the odd game now and then, but it's time to step aside and give the youngsters a chance.

"We've got such a good, young side here that I don't think I should be playing any more. I'm just standing in somebody else's way."

Although City's failure to clinch promotion to the Southern League could herald the break-up of the Vase-winning squad, Green is praying that is not the case.

He said: "Potential-wise this is the most exciting young side I've ever played with and to retain the Vase next season would be a great feat.

"We know a couple of areas we need to strengthen but, realistically, we could get to the final again.

"Next year will be more difficult in the Wessex League because everyone will be out to topple Winchester."

Green who, with ex-Saint Mark Blake, doubles up as joint assistant to manager Neil Hards, said the players had avoided stewing on the club's future because they wanted to concentrate on yesterday's final.

He said: "We haven't spoken too much about it because of this game. The majority of the players are on contract in any case but, that said, we don't want lads at the club if their hearts aren't in it."

Team captain Danny Smith, the former AFC Bournemouth midfielder, is one star man who is out of contract this summer and Green said: "If he goes, that would be a massive loss to us.

"Danny's a great player. In my opinion he should have got the man-of-the-match today."