HAMPSHIRE legend Robin Smith has turned down the chance to play for the ambitious Scottish Saltires.

Smith, who has family in Edinburgh, revealed that he has turned down an offer from the Saltires to play for them next season.

Earlier in his career he turned down offers from Northants and Warwickshire and he has done the same this time.

He added: "If I was to leave Hampshire for any other team in the National League it would be Scotland.

"They've got a good structure up there and I'd like to see them do well.

"I've had a couple of chats with them but it's time to draw a firm line under my career."

Hampshire Chairman Rod Bransgrove paid tribute to Smith at a press conference to announce the player's resignation. He said: "I've known Robin very well for the last dozen years, he's become a very good friend of mine. In all my working career I haven't met anyone so dedicated.

"It was a difficult decision for him to come to, but I'd like to thank him for his steadfast loyalty over a great number of years.

"A new off-field role for him at Hampshire is the least he deserves."

THE abiding memory of Robin Smith came when he showed total courage in the face of the West Indies' fast bowing amoury.

That's the view of Hampshire supporter Brian Quantrill, who has been watching the county regularly for the last 30 years.

On being told the news of Smith's retirement, Quantrill said: "It was time for him to go but he will be missed, that's for sure. He's been on the fixtures at the club.

"There's too many innings he's played for Hampshire to pick a couple out. The main memory I have of him was when he stood up to one of the quickest bowling attacks in Test history.

"The West Indies targeted him without a doubt but Robin showed total guts, he never gave an inch, he never looked like giving an inch.

"He was absolutely tremendous and that showed him in a better light than anything he did for Hampshire.

"He was just a colussus."

Quantrill said Smith, who made his Test debut in 1988, was first picked by England "two years too late. They took too long to be aware of his potential.

"History will show he deserves to be bracketed with the likes of Barry Richards, Roy Marshall and Gordon Greenidge. From what I've seen over the years, he's as good as anyone."