Aldridge has decided to call time of his playing career

Swindon Wildcats player-coach Ryan Aldridge has decided to end his playing career to concentrate on coaching.

"It's a decision I've been wanting to make since the summer but we couldn't afford to with the players and salary we had," Aldridge told BBC Wiltshire.

"But in the last couple of games the guys have played so well there's not much point in me continuing."

Aldridge, 32, returned to the Wildcats as a player a year ago but soon became coach after Peter Russell was sacked.

"I prefer to just coach, people who know me know that. It's much easier when you're standing behind the bench as you can focus on a lot of other things," added Aldridge.

"It's not a decision that's been put upon me and I think it will benefit the players, especially the younger ones, and the club as a whole."

Swindon-born Aldridge first played for the Wildcats in 1995 with two long spells at Basingstoke Bison and Bracknell Bees before returning to the Link Centre in October 2008.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version