Alex White has decided to retire from football. Alex, who had an illustrious career within non-league football has decided to call it a day after playing 111 games for the Railwaymen. He also was Caretaker Player Manager for a short spell during the 2022/23 Season.
Alex said “Well, the time has come to hang my boots up as they say!
After giving it serious thought over a long period of time I know I am making the right decision. I have played football since I was 4 years old, and had a lot of great experiences throughout, meeting some fantastic people along the way.
Playing in great teams with top players for top football clubs. I have fulfilled a childhood dream of playing football as a job for the past 20 years since leaving school whether that being professional or semi professional, it’s been a huge chapter in my life and I wouldn’t change it.
I have spent my last 4 years at shildon, it’s a fantastic club of which I am grateful to have been part of for the last 4 seasons.
Thank you to everyone at the club that has supported me over that time. A fantastic club with a big future. A huge thank you to David (Dent) and Diane (Dent) for their unwavering support over the past 4 years on and off the football pitch something I will not forget.
Also a massive thank you to Chris (Hughes), Prof (David Pounder) Craig (Hughes) and Howey (David Howe) for a fantastic season and a great end to my footballing career.
I will now use the spare time I have to give as much support as I can to my two sons Zander and Xavier in their footballing endeavours.
Thanks again and good luck for the future.”
Shildon AFC Manager, Chris Hughes commented: “Alex has been a pleasure to work with since I returned to Shildon. Initially supporting him when he was player manager through to being an instrumental part of us finishing second in the league this season.
It is easy to look at Alex and think of him being a commanding centre back, this is something I thought before getting to know him, but he brings so much more to the table than that. His manner with the young players strikes the fine balance of being supportive but demanding. His ability on the ball is something he doesn’t get enough credit for. Last summer was a difficult period for the club having being relegated but Alex was a constant and supported the management team to get things back on track.
We have been in contact over the past few months about this and I think it goes to show Alex mentality and selfless nature when he was more concerned about making sure we would replace him with someone good enough than his own career! It would be great for him to stay around and be part of the club but I know he will want to spend time supporting his children as they progress with their football too.
Alex, congratulations on an amazing career and thank you for the support over the past 18 months. You will be very difficult to replace!”