Mansfield striker Gregory announces retirement

Lee Gregory began and ended his career at Mansfield Town

Former Millwall and Sheffield Wednesday striker Lee Gregory has announced his retirement at the age of 37.

Gregory won promotion to the Championship with both clubs during a 16-year playing career.

He began and ended his career at Mansfield Town, scoring 11 goals in 25 appearances for the Stags.

Gregory made his final appearance in Mansfield's 1-0 defeat to Northampton Town at One Call Stadium in February, when he sustained a knee injury in the first half.

"Playing out the dream I'd thought about since I was little, it has truly been the best job in the world," Gregory told the Mansfield club website.

"Even saying this now makes my heart ache and makes me want to keep going. But my body is telling me it is time.

"For my health, for my future, for the life I want to live with my family, I have to stop, and that's OK, because endings make room for new beginnings.

Gregory scored 77 goals in 238 appearances during a five-year spell with Millwall

"I want to thank every club I've played for, every team-mate who pushed me, every coach who believed in me, and every fan who cheered me on.

"Not forgetting my non-league days, which were just as good, just as important, and shaped me into the player and person I am today."

Gregory signed for Mansfield in 2009 before joining Halifax Town on a permanent transfer two years later.

He scored 72 goals in three years with the Shaymen to earn a move to Millwall in 2014.

He suffered relegation to League One with the Lions before helping them achieve promotion back to the Championship, scoring 77 goals in 238 matches.

Spells at Stoke City and Derby County followed before he moved to Hillsborough in 2021. Gregory scored a total of 112 goals in 368 EFL appearances.