Tom Kilifin asked to be released on Sunday and, ahead of last night’s match at Whitby, experienced midfielder Phil McLuckie announced he was retiring.

McLuckie has made 279 starts for the Reds, the last against Matlock on Saturday, and has made a further 66 appearances as a substitute.

He has scored 30 goals in a distinguished career, which saw him make his Reds bow as a right-back and blossom into a busy, all-action midfielder.

A club spokesman said: “Phil held a long, emotional conversation with joint-manager David Hewson, saying he no longer has the drive, enthusiasm or commitment needed to compete at this level.

“Phil has always given 100 per cent in his time at the club so, for him to say he no longer has the desire, is a concern.

“He also feels it is harder to recover after games with injuries beginning to take their toll and doesn’t want that to impact on his career outside football.”

McLuckie suffered a broken jaw at Ramsbottom last season and missed a number of key games, including the two play-off games.

Joint-manager Hewson said: “It is a blow for us because Phil was a very valuable member of the squad, a whole-hearted player.

“I spent a considerable amount of time trying to talk him out of it but he was adamant he wanted to finish and do so immediately.

“We have to move forward, however, and the search is on to bring in a replacement.

"We are already talking to players and other managers.”