“I just can’t keep pushing myself anymore”: Clare Shine hangs up her boots at age 27
Irish national and Glasgow City legend, Clare Shine has officially retired from the women’s game after an illustrious career.
Shiny (as she is affectionately known) made the decision to step down from professional football at just 27-years-old amid mental health struggles.
In a statement on social media, she said:
"Throughout the last few years, I have struggled both mentally and physically to reach the demands as a professional footballer and with that I have decided it's time for me to put myself first and step away from football.
"My happiness and well-being needs to come first and I'm excited to begin the next chapter of my life.”
The Cork native capped off her career with a 2-0 win over Heart of Midlothian. In a post-match interview, she said:
“Today was difficult, I’m not going to lie. I’ve been holding back the tears since I got here.
“I’ve received a lot of lovely messages and gifts over the last few days and there were a few kids crying at the end of the game saying bye to me and saying they’ll miss me.
“It’s moments like that which make me realise what I have achieved at the club and how grateful I truly am for them and their support.”
Shiny commented on the fact a number of fans were surprised to hear the news of her retirement:
“I think it has been a shock to many people given the start I’ve had to this season but I honestly haven’t felt right mentally since August.
“I’ve felt very exhausted and I don’t want to continue my life being mentally and physically exhausted.”
Post-match celebrations as Shine hangs up her boots and calls time on her playing career (Image: Sam Scouller)
Glasgow City manager, Eileen Gleeson described Shine’s retirement as “the end of an era” for the club. While Jenna Clark, who picked up the winning goal on the day of Shine’s final game, described her as “a special player for the club and a special friend for us all.”
Shine revealed what she is planning to do next: “I’m starting a life coaching course and I’m going to continue my role with Glasgow City with promoting the club and visiting schools.
“I’m looking forward to where my life can take me and to explore other opportunities, I’ll still be around in the stands as a friendly face too.”
Through her two spells at Glasgow City, Shine picked up four SWPL titles, four SWPL cups, two Scottish Cups and 70 goals in 106 appearances.
As well as this, she guided the club to a Champions League quarter-final in 2019, in what she described as “one of my greatest ever achievements and one of the best moments of my whole life.”
Clare Shine’s name will rightfully live on at the Petershill Stadium and in the hearts of Glasgow City and Irish supporters forever.