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Michael Morrison issues heartfelt statement announcing retirement and takes up new role

Michael Morrison issues a heartfelt statement announcing retirement from playing and takes up new coaching role at AFC Wimbledon.

He began his youth career at Cambridge in 2004, and then played for their senior team a year later, before going on to play for the likes of Leicester, Sheffield Wednesday, Charlton, Birmingham, Reading, Portsmouth and ended his career back at Cambridge in 2026.

In that time, he has made 828 appearance, scoring 45 goals. He is the currently a first-team coach at League One club AFC Wimbledon.

Michael Morrison said in a statement via his Instagram: “After more than 20 years in the game and over 800 appearances, the time feels right to hang up my boots and bring my playing career to a close.

“Football has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember, and I can honestly say I gave everything I had to it. The game has taken me on an incredible journey, given me memories that will stay with me forever, and introduced me to people who have had a lasting impact on my life.

“I’ve had the privilege of representing and captaining some fantastic football clubs throughout the years. I’ve been lucky to share the pitch with outstanding teammates and work alongside staff who often go unnoticed. The coaches, physios, kit man, analysts and countless others behind the scenes that are the heartbeat of every football club, and they all deserve enormous credit for the part they play

“One thing my career taught me, especially during the Covid years, was never to take supporters for granted. Playing in empty stadiums showed all of us just how much fans bring to the game. It still means a lot when supporters stop me for a chat or share memories from my time at their club.

“None of this would have been possible without my family. I owe so much to my parents and family for the sacrifices they made throughout the years, the long journeys, the time and the commitment. They gave me every opportunity to chase my dream, and I’ll never be able to thank them enough.

“To my wife, thank you. You’ve been there from the very start, through every move, every success and every challenge that comes with a career in football. Your support, patience and love have been constant throughout.

“Football has given me more than I could ever have imagined, and I will always be thankful for that.

“I’ll always be grateful and proud.

“Thank You.”

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by AFC Wimbledon (@afc_wimbledon)

Speaking on his new role with Wimbledon, Morrison said, as per the club statement: “I’m really happy to be here, I always wanted to move into coaching when my career as a player finished.

“Wimbledon is a club which is greatly connected from the fans right through to what you see on the pitch.

“It’s a club that expects a hardworking team, so we need to ensure that’s what we have.

“My role as First-Team Coach will be to provide strong communication and help to the players, in order provide that link between the staff and the squad.

“Johnnie Jackson and Craig Cope are two people that I know very well – I have trust in them and they’ve put their trust in me.”

Manager, Johnnie Jackson commented: “Michael is an exciting young coach, who is really keen to make his mark on the coaching side of football.

“He has vast experience in the EFL and was captain at the majority of clubs that he played for.

“Myself and Craig both have a good relationship with him and we believe he has the leadership qualities that fit into what we’re trying to achieve.”

Director of Football, Craig Cope, added: “We’d like to welcome Michael to the Club following an excellent playing career.

“Michael has been working hard to prepare for life after playing for a while and has a variety of qualifications and coaching experience.”

HIS CAREER:

Youth
2004–2005 – Cambridge United

Senior
2005–2008 – Cambridge United – 108 games (3 goals)
2008–2011 – Leicester City – 77 games (5 goals)
2011 – Sheffield Wednesday – 12 games (0 goals)
2011–2015 – Charlton Athletic – 136 games (6 goals)
2014–2019 → Birmingham City – 10 games (0 goals)
2019–2022 – Reading – 108 games (8 goals)
2022–2023 – Portsmouth – 22 games (0 goals)
2023–2026 – Cambridge United – 115 games (2 goals)
Total – 752 games (38 goals)

International
2006–2008 – England C – 8 games (3 goals)

Here’s how fans reacted as Michael Morrison issues a heartfelt statement announcing retirement and takes up a new role…

@jordfisher25: Class player for us on his day, all the best Morrison KRO💙

@Pedro_BCFC: Great leader through bad times, whoever signed off him going and replacing with Dean was an utter dickhead.

@ConstantineGSB: A great leader during a shit time. Well up Morro

@PetroNicolaides: Baller, but above all…. A Gent.

@iAlexRussell: Deffo makes my top 20 favourite blues players of all time. Model professional and seems like a top guy

@cazessex: Always a favourite and sorry when he left.

@Andyjack83: Top pro remember his debut away at Wolves, (Rowetts first as manager in his first spell) after the infamous 8-0 drubbing v Bournemouth the previous week, came in and gave a proper gritty display to shore us up and went on to be a very good signing 🤝 all the best Morro KRO 💙🫡

@Bradley_AJ: Congrats on a great career Morro. Enjoy retirement and all the best with whatever comes next 💙

@Marriott110: Him and Matt Taylor was an underrated partnership, absolutely rock solid pair #cafc

@BrooklynDon6: Tbh, it would be great if this wasn’t the first coaching job for our first team manager but that doesn’t mean he won’t do a good job. One of the most important aspects of any coaching job is getting buy in from the players. Having a coaching pedigree helps. Let’s hope it works.

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