Veteran Workington Reds defender Kyle May has left Borough Park after 13 seasons’ service.

May originally announced his retirement 12 months ago but then returned to the club for one last season.

But now he feels the time is right for him to move on, although he admitted the decision had been hard to make.

He said: “I feel privileged to have played all those games and spent so many seasons at the club, it means a lot.

“They have been the best and most memorable times of my life and I’ve made some wonderful friends along the way.”

Current Reds joint manager Dave Hewson, who also played alongside May, paid tribute to him.

He said: “He has been an outstanding servant, he is a true Workington legend and will always be welcome here any time in the future.

“I consider him to have been one of the best defenders at this level for many seasons and, once again, his contribution to the club should be celebrated.

“We wish him all the best and thank him again for his effort, commitment and support while being with us.”

The club legend took his career total to 544 appearances (plus 20 more as a substitute), scoring 32 goals in the process.

Adding non-competitive games into the equation, May has appeared in a Workington shirt 650 times, the like of which is unlikely to be seen again.

May featured in Reds’ crunch play-off match at Stourbridge and then capped a wonderful career by guiding the club to the Cumberland Cup success over Penrith at Brunton Park, proudly lifting the trophy in front of fans in his home city.

The defender will feature for Workington one final time when he appears in a special game in support of Tony Hopper on May 21 against former Carlisle legends at Brunton Park.