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KIMBLE: "I FEEL VIOLATED"

by Mark Chang for PMF News

The world of football can be a harsh one, but in these times of enormous pay packets and bigger egos, spare a thought for poor Alan Kimble. The little hard-trying defender, known more for his combative attitude rather than his skill with a football, has been thrown in the deep end of a deep, deep pool - and there's no escape.

Kimble, who just a few months ago was paraded as Derby County manager Damian Rix's newest signing, was today released from his contract at the Midlands club after informing the management of his decision to retire from professional football at the end of the season. And as if this was not bad enough - a kick in the teeth it certainly is - the former Wimbledon player will not even see one pretty penny of severance pay.

An obscure part of his contract, which forbids players retiring while on the clubs books, Kimble has been forced out of Derby with nothing to show for it. "I feel violated, yes," said Kimble today, in an exclusive interview with PMF News in his modest home just a few minutes out of the city of Derby.

"I came to the club knowing that this season would be my last, and I quite openly told him (Rix) that, and he was still fairly enthusiastic to sign me. So I joined the club." To make matters worse, Kimble has not even played for Derby this season, something which he is sore about too. "I was assured of at least a place on the bench, which I was happy about. But to never even got five minutes on the field for the entire season - that really hurt."

It is expected that the respective Players Union will be chasing up with Derby as to why Kimble was released from his contract after announcing his decision to retire. But with the likes of Fabrizio Ravanelli, Laurent Blanc and Lee Dixon also all spending the dying moments of their football careers at Pride Park, one must wonder - will they see the end of the season? Or will Lionel Pickering and Co. cast them onto the footballing scrapheap to save money, but not face? Surely, it is embarrassing situation for football when our retiring heroes are not even shown the respect of seeing out their contracts.