Retirement's not end of the road for 'one of our own'

AFTER nine years, 357 matches, 69 goals, one relegation, more battles than he cares to remember, and one glorious title triumph, Lukas Jutkiewicz has finally called time on his Blues playing career.

- ALEX DICKEN

The 36-year-old isn’t leaving the club, however. He is staying on in a new behind-the-scenes role, but has scored his final goal in front of The Tilton.

And what a moment it was. In a season where Blues have shattered the League One points record and reached Wembley, the stand-out moment will be Jutkiewicz bundling the ball home against Barnsley and wheeling away in celebration.

"What a way to finish up," he reflected. "I don’t think I could have pictured, when I came nine years ago, to have a day like this. I don’t think I would have imagined it in my wildest dreams. To finally finish playing at St Andrew's is very emotional for me and my family. We have been through a lot here, and for it to go the way it did (on Sunday) is the perfect script.