WATFORD Football Club have kindly supplied us with their article regarding former City midfielder Damien Francis.

It is with great sadness that Watford Football Club today announce the retirement of midfielder Damien Francis from the game.

Francis makes the tough decision on strong medical advice at the age of 29, following a series of setbacks in his fight to regain complete fitness following a serious knee injury encountered in the 1-1 draw with Manchester City in April 2007.

Speaking to the official club website today, Damien said: "I'm devastated to have to accept the decision to announce my retirement, but I have been strongly advised by my surgeon that I cannot continue to put my knee through such trauma.

"I can't thank Watford FC enough for their support, the medical staff especially have bent over backwards to help me to try and return to fitness, I truly appreciate all of their efforts.

"I want to thank the manager, players and the whole club too. I would also like to thank all the fans from my Wimbledon, Norwich and Wigan days for their support, and a special thanks to the Watford fans for their patience.

"I wish the club all the best for the future."

A former Wimbledon, Norwich City and Wigan Athletic player, Francis has been best known for his goal scoring exploits from the middle of the park, having netted 39 career goals in 276 appearances.

Francis started his career with the Dons in the Premier League a decade ago and became a regular at Selhurst Park as we entered the new millennium.

He joined the Hornets for a fee of £1.5m in July 2006 and featured throughout the side's Premiership season, scoring six goals during the term, before falling victim to the same anterior cruciate ligament injury that struck down team-mate Gareth Williams.

Following a long period of rehabilitation Francis' first aborted comeback came in November 2007 and he was soon forced back to the treatment room.

He remained there until this season where he again found his attempts to return to complete fitness scuppered. His final appearance came in the 2-1 win over Ipswich Town at the end of August.

In total for the Hornets, Francis made 44 career starts and 13 substitute appearances with a total of nine goals to his name. He also scored Watford's first Premiership goal of the 2006/07 season at Everton.

Everyone at Watford Football Club would like to thank Damien for his wholehearted efforts both on and off the pitch and would like to wish him all the best for the future.