we8wba 0 Posted February 7, 2008 Former Celtic striker John Hartson has announced his retirement after leaving West Brom - and admits he ''won''t miss training''. The 32-year-old former Wales international, who won 50 caps, was released by the Baggies last month and has decided to quit rather than play on in the lower leagues. Hartson told the Scottish Sun: "A part of my life has been winding down and, yes, I''m going to miss that competitive edge. That was my weekend, after all, letting off steam and terrorising centre-halves. I''m not going to miss training though. To be honest I''d lost my desire to get back into the West Brom side." It was Celtic boss Gordon Strachan, who let him move south in June 2006 after five years with the Hoops, who once told Hartson that his passion for the game would eventually fade. "Gordon warned me the fire inside me would go some day and now it has. You don''t get that back," Hartson added. The striker who began his career at Luton and went on to have spells with Arsenal, West Ham, Wimbledon and Coventry, and a loan stint at Norwich, was not prepared to end his playing career at a low level, admitting he would struggle for fitness. He said: "They say you should go down the leagues and just play for enjoyment because it will be easier. It isn''t." Hartson added: "I have been fighting my weight for 12 years. I can''t have a burger without putting on half a stone." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
norfolkchance1 0 Posted February 7, 2008 Just got this off the BBC sport websitehttp://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/west_bromwich_albion/7218185.stmI think it is a shame that a player with so much to offer did not have the discipline to keep his weight down. The line near the end says it all "I have been fighting my weight for 12 years. I can''t have a burger without putting on half a stone." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icecream Snow 761 Posted February 7, 2008 must be one hell of a big burger Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wandsworth Canary 0 Posted February 7, 2008 “I have been fighting my weight for 12 years. I can''t have a burger without putting on half a stone.”He should eat smaller burgers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Norma Stick 0 Posted February 7, 2008 Do you reckon he was ''FED'' up? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
3canaries 0 Posted February 7, 2008 I loved the......"“I have been fighting my weight for 12 years. I can''t have a burger without putting on half a stone.”Quality..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
we8wba 0 Posted February 7, 2008 well usual person has a 1/4pounders burgersome even 1/2poundershartson went to far when eating 1/2stone burgerwonder if he asked for extra cheese Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ashwood 24 Posted February 7, 2008 That''ll be a Mchalf stoner for Mr Hartson in bay 3 please ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chicken 0 Posted February 7, 2008 Harsh - all so harsh.His temper was the thing that let him down. Didn''t he smash someones jaw in training?Although unfit he did show some of the class he had when at Carrow Road and was unlucky not to score. Its a shame that sometimes people don''t realise the gift that they have. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Syteanric 1 Posted February 7, 2008 i dread to think how big he will get now! ever see those TV shows about the Obese people on channel 5?Hartson will be on one of those in a few years...jas :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
InLambertWeTrust! 0 Posted February 7, 2008 Dean Coney wrote '' do you reckon he was FED up?''OH i get it [:^)] Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carrow Fink 0 Posted February 7, 2008 [quote user="jas the barclay king"]i dread to think how big he will get now! ever see those TV shows about the Obese people on channel 5?Hartson will be on one of those in a few years...jas :)[/quote]Yep along with Alan Brazil Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dean Coneys boots 1,398 Posted February 7, 2008 in fainress genes make some people spread in their thirites - where others can eat anythingThere are 3 body types - and most athletes have the middle one/ clearly he did notAftetr all Jason Leanord would never have plated football. He was HUGE but I defy anyone to question his strength or fitness Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
we8wba 0 Posted February 7, 2008 [quote user="chicken"]Harsh - all so harsh.His temper was the thing that let him down. Didn''t he smash someones jaw in training?Although unfit he did show some of the class he had when at Carrow Road and was unlucky not to score. Its a shame that sometimes people don''t realise the gift that they have.[/quote]his temper was the thing that let him down? how about his 20stone body for starters? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Green and Yellow 0 Posted February 7, 2008 [quote user="we8wba"]Former Celtic striker John Hartson has announced his retirement after leaving West Brom - and admits he ''won''t miss training''. The 32-year-old former Wales international, who won 50 caps, was released by the Baggies last month and has decided to quit rather than play on in the lower leagues. Hartson told the Scottish Sun: "A part of my life has been winding down and, yes, I''m going to miss that competitive edge. That was my weekend, after all, letting off steam and terrorising centre-halves. I''m not going to miss training though. To be honest I''d lost my desire to get back into the West Brom side." It was Celtic boss Gordon Strachan, who let him move south in June 2006 after five years with the Hoops, who once told Hartson that his passion for the game would eventually fade. "Gordon warned me the fire inside me would go some day and now it has. You don''t get that back," Hartson added. The striker who began his career at Luton and went on to have spells with Arsenal, West Ham, Wimbledon and Coventry, and a loan stint at Norwich, was not prepared to end his playing career at a low level, admitting he would struggle for fitness. He said: "They say you should go down the leagues and just play for enjoyment because it will be easier. It isn''t." Hartson added: "I have been fighting my weight for 12 years. I can''t have a burger without putting on half a stone." [/quote]* me did the fat t*** ever train?. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rudolph Hucker 0 Posted February 7, 2008 .........but he did flick on for Curo to score the equaliser against Ipswich and for that reason alone he was alright by me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
we8wba 0 Posted February 7, 2008 [quote user="RUDOLPH HUCKER"].........but he did flick on for Curo to score the equaliser against Ipswich and for that reason alone he was alright by me.[/quote]if you stuck him in goal you wouldnt conceded two, Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kissthebadge 0 Posted February 7, 2008 Clearly he hasn''t lost his appetite though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Robert N. LiM 4,243 Posted February 7, 2008 The signing of Hartson was the lowest point of the Grant era, even if it finally took place after Grant''s departure. Hartson''s retirement today just confirms what an appalling decision it was to take him on loan - every bit as bad as the signings of Walsh, Cottee etc all those years back. I still shiver at the thought of my season-ticket money ending up in Hartson''s pocket (and then being handed over by his chubby fingers at the nearest KFC).The only good that came of it was Mr Chops'' brilliant joke - still my post of the season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
missing in action? 0 Posted February 7, 2008 "I have been fighting my weight for 12 years. I can''t have a burger without putting on half a stone."yh thats because he eats 50 of them in a sitting!!!glad to see he lost his hunger for something Share this post Link to post Share on other sites