All Whites and Wellington Phoenix vice-captain Tim Brown is retiring from football at the tender age of 31 to pursue further education in England.

Brown made the shock decision to retire from both club and international two weeks ago and announced it today to Fairfax Media, saying an opportunity to complete a masters degree in management at either the London School of Economics or Cambridge University was too good an opportunity to turn down.

The 31-year-old has already been accepted into the former and is awaiting news from Cambridge, but either way he is off to the country of his birth to continue his studies.

Brown, who is one of the more likeable, down-to-earth and intelligent sportspeople in New Zealand, completed his undergraduate degree from the University of Cincinnati in 2004 while playing football in the United States college system.

He told Phoenix and All Whites coach Ricki Herbert of the news before their match against Melbourne Victory in Melbourne eight days ago, and informed his Phoenix teammates at the post-match team dinner.

''I wanted to keep it quiet but Ricki encouraged me to tell the players and I'm glad I did,'' he said today.

''It wasn't my instinct to tell people, but certainly telling the guys was pretty special

''It's a huge thing and a surprisingly emotional thing, too. It's snuck up on me. I was a mess when I told the team. I'm a bit stunned myself, and I made the decision a week or two ago, but telling people makes it a whole lot more real.''

He had been weighing up his future for a few months and when the offer from London presented itself, he felt taking it up was the ''right thing to do''.

''I turned 31 a few weeks ago and I sat down with my folks and a few other people close to me and I said 'ok, this is something I just have to do'. This opportunity came up unexpectedly at two world class schools and I decided if I didn't do it now I might never do it.

''In saying that, it was hugely difficult to walk away from the All Whites and the Phoenix and a whole lot of good people. It's not a decision I've made lightly.''

Brown has played 29 matches for the All Whites since 2005, coinciding with arguably their most successful and exciting time in international football.

He was vice-captain for most of that period, and in several instances captained the national team when regular skipper Ryan Nelsen was unavailable.

There have been several lows and some considerable highs, notably the World Cup qualifier against Bahrain in Wellington in 2009 and being apart of the squad for their subsequent unbeaten run at the World Cup in South Africa a year later, though he did not play at all after suffering a shoulder injury in the buildup.

He did, however, play a big part in the 1-0 win over Bahrain, both as a starting player and in the leadup to the match. He helped to devise the marketing campaign - 'One Shot for Glory' - that led to a sellout crowd of 35,000 in his hometown and one of the best single nights in New Zealand sporting history.

New Zealand Football chairman Frank van Hattum paid tribute to Brown and said while his retirement was a shock, his contribution to New Zealand football has been immense.

"Tim's a home-grown talent that has not only been part of a wonderful era for the game, he's been an integral part of the resurgence of football in New Zealand through both the All Whites and Wellington Phoenix," van Hattum said.

"He's a passionate and intelligent man and he had universal respect from players, staff and administrators. I'm a little stunned that he won't be a part of the All Whites on the Road to Brazil but we respect his decision and wish him all the best as he chases a wonderful opportunity."

He is a foundation member of the Phoenix, having wriggled out of a contract with A-League rivals Newcastle in 2007 to sign with the newly formed team in his hometown, and he's gone on to play more than 100 matches for the Phoenix.

He has scored 22 goals, second only to striker Paul Ifill, at a strike rate any midfielder would be proud of.

Brown has his critics, for sure. He's no Carlos Hernandez or Thomas Broich with the ball at his feet, but he's never pretended to be. He's made the best of his talent, forging a reputation as a combative midfielder who is extremely fit and capable of scoring his fair share of goals.

His teammates have always been unanimous; nobody gives more to, or is as passionate about, the Phoenix and All Whites as Brown.

He said he was still enjoying his football and he was ''walking away from my dream job, and potentially away from another season or two of professional football and another World Cup campaign.

''I've talked to people close to me but I make the decision with a heavy heart. It just feels like the right thing to do, though.''

His retirement is effective from the end of the A-League season, which could be as early as this Friday, or another month away.

The Phoenix host Sydney in a do-or-die A-League playoff match in Wellington on Friday night, and Brown was hoping for a fairytale run deep into the finals.

But he does not want his news to overshadow the task ahead.

- Fairfax Media

Comments