Defender Sam Spencer hopes his Soham Town Rangers teammates can make a push for a top seven spot after playing for the final time.

Spencer had wanted to bid farewell on a winning note after announcing his retirement from football ahead of Soham’s 2-1 defeat to Mulbarton Wanderers on January 14.

He made the decision to step back from playing after re-tearing his meniscus in his knee as well as missing cartilage following medical scans.

“Continuing poses a threat to my quality of life and the operations have a low success rate, throwing in the fact I’ve [injured] my anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus before,” Spencer said.

“Because of what I’ve already had done, it will be a knee replacement at some point.”

Spencer, who returned to Soham at the start of this season after a first spell in 2014-15, revealed he was due to retire after Soham’s Boxing Day win over Ely City.

However, he decided to continue as the Greens were short on players.

Ahead of the match with Mulbarton in the Eastern Counties Premier Division, Spencer was given the captain’s armband by usual skipper Jon Kaye.

But the ex-Wisbech Town player could not end his final competitive match in glory, as after Sam Mulready struck Soham into a 17th-minute lead, the hosts were undone with goals in each half.

Ely Standard: Spencer played for the likes of Wisbech Town during his playing career.Spencer played for the likes of Wisbech Town during his playing career. (Image: Erin Larham)

“I was JK’s skipper at Wisbech, so it was a nice touch and I really appreciated that,” said Spencer.

“I don’t think we played badly but it wasn’t to be.

“On paper, we have a great side; some have consistently played at a higher level and we should be doing better.”

Spencer feels if Soham can limit the number of mistakes and goals conceded, they could mount a push for the top half.

The 29-year-old, who played 27 times for Soham, plans to take a break from football but is confident he will return to the game.

“I’d love to see a top seven finish,” Spencer added.

“I’m looking to stay involved but I’m going to chat to Lloyd [Groves, Soham boss] once the dust has settled.

“Hopefully I’ll stay involved in some capacity.”

Soham, whose League Challenge Cup tie at Newmarket Town on January 17 was postponed due to a frozen pitch, head to Sheringham in a league clash on Saturday, January 28, 3pm.

Soham Town Rangers: Finley Iron; Perez Goumou, Jordan Chipps, Jon Kaye, Lee Chaffey, Sam Spencer (C), Ollie Ward, Declan Rogers, Luke Brown, Sam Mulready (sub Ed Watson, 72'), Ryan Sharman.

Unused subs: Faris Rhaman, Ryan Auger, Kai Nicholls, Harry Hayward.

Referee: Mr Richard May.

Attendance: 124.