Knee injury forces Hinshelwood to retire

A serious knee injury has forced defender Adam Hinshelwood to retire from football at the tender age of 26.

The news every footballer fears came after Hinshelwood underwent exploratory surgery on his right knee last Wednesday.

"The doctors recommended that I never play football at any level again," Hinshelwood told wwfc.com. "They said if I played in the future there would be a chance my knee could crumble and I wouldn't be able to walk again."

Hinshelwood began his career at Brighton and made over 100 appearances for the Seagulls before Gary Waddock signed him for Aldershot and quickly made the talented defender his captain.

Waddock was appointed Wycombe manager last October and soon snapped Hinshelwood up again, signing him in the January transfer window and once again installing him as skipper.

"Everyone at the club is gutted that Hinsh has had to retire," said Waddock. "When he was fit he was one of the best centre-backs around. You knew what you were going to get from him every time he stepped across the white line. On behalf of the club, I would like to wish him and his family all the best for the future."

Injury restricted Hinshelwood to only 13 appearances for the Chairboys with his only goal for the club coming at the Bescot Stadium last April, but his arrival undoubtedly steadied the ship at the back and he would have been a valuable asset in the coming campaign.

Hinshelwood hopes to eventually return to the game in a coaching capacity and Vital Wycombe would like to wish him all the luck in the world for the future.

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