FORMER Warrington Town loanee Jake Kirby has decided to step away from football at the age of just 25.

The winger, who enjoyed a successful loan spell at Cantilever Park last season, has left National League outfit Stockport County, for whom he has made eight appearances this season.

Kirby helped the Hatters to the National League North title last season but manager Jim Gannon said his decision was influenced by “a strong feeling for change.”

“Jake has made the decision following a long period of thought,” he told County’s official website.

“The recent knee injury which he picked up during County’s win at Wrexham last month highlighted once again the difficulties that Jake has had to contend with in terms of injuries in the last three years and accentuated many of his fears and feelings held within football.

“But there has been no simple or singular reason for Jake’s recent decision, just a strong feeling for change.

“We are very sorry to be losing Jake and it is with a heavy heart that we accepted his wish to leave.

“We have talked over the situation extensively and were happy to support him fully in his decision to leave football at this point.

“For whatever reason, or circumstance people find themselves in, it is not for us to seek to fully understand or solve, but simply to listen and support and help them find the right way for themselves.

“It is difficult to express all the emotions you go through for either party in such difficult discussions, but suffice to say that I felt more and more comfortable with Jake’s decision as I saw the tension being relieved with him letting go, and sensed his excitement of what is to come in the future.”