Adams to take break from game to pursue education

Tony Adams has ended speculation over his future by revealing that he is to take a break from football in favour of a return to education.

The signs were there at the end of last season that the former England captain and defender was ready to end his distinguished playing career. After 19 years with Arsenal, Adams suggested that the time might be right to do other things, and he is to begin a three-year university course in sports science next month.

"I wasn't ready for school as a kid," Adams said. "I only wanted to play football. Now I feel ready for education. After all the years of the physical stuff, I wanted something to stimulate me mentally.

"It's 18 hours a week and I will probably be tapping on David Beckham's shoulder and asking him if I can study how he bends his free-kicks."

Adams said he may eventually try to return to football as a manager, but has all but ruled out working his way up from the bottom in that sphere. The 35-year-old says that he was approached by five Nationwide League clubs this summer but added: "I'm tired of learning the hard way. I learned football and life through hard knocks. I think a bit of preparation might go a long way this time."

Adams also confirmed that he has accepted his playing career was over due to continued problems with injuries.

"I have degeneration in the bones that needs work," he said. "Arsenal talked about a guy in America who drills into the area to stimulate bone growth. It sounds horrific.

"Enough was enough. Even if I'd had the op and it had worked, I wouldn't have been back before Christmas. My body's packed up on me really."

Adams' former Arsenal team-mate Lee Dixon led the tributes, saying: "He's basically done everything and inspired a lot of people alongside him."

Dixon, who retired at the end of Arsenal's double-winning season in May, added: "We'll never know the torment and the pain that he's gone through. But forget Tony Adams the footballer, I'm proud to be a friend of Tony Adams the human being."