JAMES BROWN, the former Hartlepool United attacker, has been forced to quit professional football.
Brown, 27, is leaving Gateshead, where he has been for the last two seasons because of a persistent ankle injury.
He was freed by Pools in May 2012 after making 200 appearances, scoring 37 times in an injury-plagued eight years at Victoria Park.
Lauded as one of the most gifted footballers in the lower divisions, Brown’s career would have been at a higher level if it wasn’t for two cruciate knee ligament injuries and a series of niggling injuries suffered at Pools.
He was regularly watched by WBA when Tony Mowbray was in charge, while Celtic were known admirers. 
After moving to the Conference side he wasn’t able to get a regular run of games and made 70 appearances, scoring nine times. 
Heed boss Gary Mills, who said Brown is to play part-time football and is keen on becoming a driving instructor, admitted: “I’m gutted for the player and the club and me as a manager that a player like him has left. It got the stage where enough was enough.
“We had a good session last Thursday and he was the best player – sticking the ball in the net, scoring goals you wouldn’t believe. On the Friday I’m thinking of him playing Saturday and he was unable to train because of his ankle – that was it for me.
“Enough was enough. We gave him an operation in the summer to try and cure it and, this sounds bad, but we have put him and me out of his misery. We’ve give it every go, every angle to get back and it’s not happened and because of his body he needs to be part time.
“He would not be at Gateshead if it wasn’t for his injuries. With his desire to be a footballer and suffer those injuries is a shame. 
“It’s a sad thing, but he is 27 and probably going on 47. I wish him all the best and hopefully enjoy his football.’’