Wellington Phoenix Tim Brown to retire from the game

Friday night's playoff against Sydney could be Wellington Phoenix midfielder Tim Brown's very last game after he today announced his retirement from all football at the end of the time.

Although only 31, Tim Brown has certain to walk away from the game to further pursue his studies, with a masters degree in managing at the London School of Economics or Cambridge University awaiting him.

"It was an exciting decision to make, but an exciting one for me,'' Brown told the club's website. "The opportunity to keep on my studies at either of those places is fantastic.

"It was hard making the decision to leave what has been a dream job but I believe it is the right time for me having just turned 31.''

The news gives better significance to Friday's sudden death match at Westpac Stadium, since a Phoenix loss will signal the close of the career of one of their maximum servants. 

Brown, the team's vice captain, was one of Coach Ricki Herbert's first signings when the club created in 2007 and he has made a record 110 appearances in five seasons.