Dave Kitson

After the game on Saturday Dave Kitson revealed to me that he was hanging up his boots at the end of the season. This is of course an entirely personal decision, and should he go through with his plans to retire from playing, I think he can look back on a career that most professionals would be proud of.

Dave isn’t convinced though and told me that he should have achieved more. Well we could all achieve more than we have, but we can also look back and be pleased with what we have done. Winning promotion to what is generally regarded as the best league in the world (in 2006 with Reading) and holding your own against the cream of world football isn’t too shoddy Dave. I’m sure that there are lads he is currently playing with - and against - who would give their right arms for his achievements.

Having written that – and despite the fact that it would bugger up my little exclusive – I hope that he changes his mind. True he is 34 years old in January, but there is no doubt in my mind that he could perform in League One quite comfortably and (should he win promotion with Oxford this term) add a few more highlights to his CV.

Dave speaks as he finds. If you ask him a question, he gives you a straight answer rather than worrying about what others might think.

He was in trouble with the FA for doing this a few weeks ago when he commented on a referee’s behavior following a nasty injury to team mate Alfie Potter. If he had been abusive I could have understood the FA’s position. As it was, he was measured in his criticism and didn’t lose control, and in my view, the ‘suits’ over-reacted.

Don’t get me wrong, he doesn’t go out of his way to court controversy. He just speaks honestly and frankly and most fans like that. Too many people in the public eye these days speak in sound bites or say what they think they are expected to say. Football fans love to see someone with a bit of character and Kitson, for me, fits that bill.

He is an eloquent and thoughtful man off the field and shows a great deal of passion on it. Oxford fans have seen his commitment to the cause at first hand this season and with a little persuasion, who knows, he may sign on for another campaign. We’re all allowed a change of heart … even if it does make newspaper reporters look daft!