I am so glad that Jack Wilshire has retried.
The fella lived the dream. Played for the club he loves. Represented his country. But the injuries took their toll.
It is not just physical but mental.
Training on your own, in the gym, every day, trying to rehabilitate yourself can be a lonely place.
And then just as you are reaching match fitness, ready to play again, you break down and have to start all over.
I thought he should have retired prior to joining West Ham. That was 4 years ago!
He has only played 36 games since leaving us – including a spell in Denmark towards the end of last season.
The cycle of injury, rehabilitation and more injury would have been draining for himself and his young family.
I will always remember when I first saw his name.
I was in Benidorm and I got a message from a mate telling me about this young kid that scored a worldie against West Ham reserves.
Me and the lads found an internet café and got up a video of the goal on YouTube. We were sold!
A year later I was at White Hart Lane watching him dominate a Spurs team in an FA Youth Cup quarter-final.
Wilshere was easily the youngest player on but clearly the best.
He clearly has a love for the game and I am delighted he has been given a role coaching our U18s.
Maybe one day we will see him on the touch line in Islington.
Jackie Wilshere’s red and white army!
Keenos
She Wore A Yellow Ribbon 