Former Town skipper Luke Chambers has announced his retirement, aged 37.

The defender announced the news on this evening’s Life’s a Pitch TV, outlining his reasons for hanging up his boots.

“I think I’m pretty clear what I want to do now. I’ve played football for 21 years as a professional since I was 17 years old, 871 games, so in my mind, I think enough is enough.

“Pretty much retirement. There’s no been an announcement, I saved it for you guys. I think my time as a professional footballer has come to an end.

“I’m really comfortable with it, I’m really in a good spot. I wanted to go out on my terms. I’ve got four wonderful children, my wife, we’re settled in Ipswich, so the question you have to ask yourself is ‘Do I want to be travelling across the country any more? Do I want to live away from my family? Am I going to take them out of school for a year’s contract at 37?'

“But no, I’m in a good spot and I feel really comfortable with the decision I’ve made.”

Chambers joined the Blues from Nottingham Forest on a free transfer in the summer of 2012 and went on to make 395 starts and one sub appearance, scoring 19 goals.

He was the captain for most of his time with the Blues, including during the 2014/15 play-off season.

The centre-half or right-back was released in the summer of 2021 and has spent the last two seasons at Colchester United.

Chambers, who started his career with Northampton, was let go by the U’s this summer.

The Kettering-born defender ends his career as the seventh-highest appearance maker in English league football on 791 games.

Photo: Matchday Images

Gazelle added 09:36 - Aug 4 All the very best for the future Luke, a top man who always gave 100%
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jacobnikons added 09:44 - Aug 4 Vastly overrated player like other 'fellow proper bloke Skuse' Both who were integral to the clubs demise over several seasons when we saw far more talented players leave because of these two 'undroppable's who clearly had too much power in the dressing room and influence on the team which nosed dived for several years with both being mainstays of the team.
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Nomore4 added 10:22 - Aug 4 Shhhhh Jacob…..you’ll upset the snowflakes
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Naylorsrightboot added 10:36 - Aug 4 Some comments on here are well below the belt. Thankfully it's only a very few morons. Luke really did keep things together during some pretty dire times. For that we should all be grateful. Good luck in the future Luke and you will always be welcome at PR.
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Tractor_Boy_Tommy added 10:53 - Aug 4 He never deserved the stick he got, fantastic servant to the club
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jonju11 added 11:40 - Aug 4 No need for that “nomore4”. He carried this Club for many years & through difficult times. You are obviously not a supporter of this great Club if you do not appreciate the value of his efforts. Easy to castigate a player when he’s gone rather than appreciating his efforts as most on this platform recognise.
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Gonefishing added 12:22 - Aug 4 Quite a big headed retirenent statement. "Pasing on the burden of achievent" made me laugh. "Passing on the burden of mediocrity" would have been more honest.
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Baino added 13:24 - Aug 4 Did LC and CS for that matter hold the fort as best they could under very difficult circumstances? Yes. Am I grateful for them both doing as good as they could? Yes. But doing as good as you can doesn't make you a quality player or captain in LC case. It just means, to me, that they were the best we had at that time. I do the best I can when I play but I'm not great! Every player that's ever played football has had Good, Average and Shocking games. Every player. Chambo had some great games for us, some average games and some shockers too. For me though he had more average games than the other two options. He rarely had a shocker but he rarely had great game either. I mean a proper, holy sh it wasn't Chambo excellent today conversation in the pub game. But mind on folks, it's just an opinion and they're like ar se holes....we all have one and are entitled to one!

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ChrisFelix added 13:56 - Aug 4 Sadly was involved in the worst seasons that Town had suffered for many years. This culminated in our relegation to league one. Although he was a defender I remember him more for the goals he scored. I also wonder if he and Skuse were one of the reasons Paul Hurst had such a shocking time at Ipswich
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Nomore4 added 14:34 - Aug 4 Jonju. I’m a season ticket holder in lower north for more years than I can remember. My comments stand as my own opinion.
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oldelsworthyfan added 15:33 - Aug 4 It's good to read so many warm comments about Luke and his 376 first team appearances for ITFC, the majority as Captain. As 'runaround' said, he gave everything, both on and off the pitch. I bet he would just love to be arriving here now as a 27 year old with our current Manager in charge!
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Whos_blue added 13:19 - Aug 5 I hope he somehow stays in football somewhere. I think he has a lot to offer. To rack up over 800 senior appearances is remarkable. A model pro.
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