IPSWICH Wanderers had a shock before last Saturday's FA Carlsberg Vase fifth round home game against AFC Totton when left-sided forward player Ricky Martin announced he was hanging up his boots.

By Elvin King

IPSWICH Wanderers had a shock before last Saturday's FA Carlsberg Vase fifth round home game against AFC Totton when left-sided forward player Ricky Martin announced he was hanging up his boots.

Martin, 27, has been a regular for a side who reached the last 16 of the Vase before losing 2-1 to Totton.

Martin, who has appeared in 20 Wanderers matches this season and scored two goals, said: “Although Wanderers have some big commitments I did not see them as big as my personal commitments.

“I have a one year-old daughter Freya and am not prepared to miss out on any more time with her.

“Playing in the Ridgeons league involves a lot of travelling, and a lot of Saturdays and evenings sacrificed for football.

“Although I love playing, the time involved became something I could not commit to any longer.

“I plan to review the situation in the summer and definitely want to return to playing somewhere, although not necessarily in the Ridgeons League.

“I want to get the balance between football and family right and just enjoy playing.

“Over the past few months football has become more of a chore than a game and that could not continue.

“I wish everyone at Wanderers all the best for the rest of the season and hope they can pick up some silverware.”

Wanderers have a mouth watering clash with Ipswich Town coming up on Wednesday March 7 when they entertain the professional club in the semi-finals of the Touchline Sports Suffolk Senior Cup.

Martin, who lives with his partner Tracey and daughter Freya, will be missing when Wanderers play Dereham at Humber Doucy Lane tomorrow.

Felixstowe and Walton United are also at home with Stanway Rovers the visitors to Dellwood Avenue.

Steve Potts' side will be keen to get back to winning ways after losing 8-4 to Dereham and 4-1 to Halstead inside the last seven days.

Striker Dwayne Edwards has been in form however, with three goals in the last four games. The 22-year-old has found the net six times in total this campaign.

He is just pleased to be playing after being rushed to hospital when he collapsed after the 2-0 home victory over Diss Town last month.

Edwards was told that he had no pulse and no heart beat for five minutes after collapsing when on a night out with team mates.

“Before the medics arrived someone got my heart beating again, and saved my life,” added Edwards. “I don't know who that person but I would love to meet them and say thank you.”

Edwards, who was kept in hospital overnight, has made a full recovery.

Potts said: “It was frightening when Dwayne collapsed. And we are all thankful that he has made a full recovery.”

Woodbridge travel to Tony Kinsella's Halstead, while in the First Division, Hadleigh should get back to winning ways after their defeat at Cornard when they take on bottom-placed Godmanchester at Millfield.

Stowmarket are at home to Yarmouth and Whitton United play host to Thetford at King George V field, Ipswich.