EVESHAM United goalkeeper Kevin Sawyer will retire at the end of the season with boss Paul Collicutt determined to see the stopper go out on a high.

The ex-Salisbury and Gloucester City custodian is revered throughout the non-league circuit with players and fans quick to pay tribute to his 20-year career when it was announced he would be hanging up his gloves.

“He’s not getting any younger and has been thinking about retirement for the past couple of seasons,” said Collicutt.

“Like many others he has a family and his three children play football at a good standard. With that comes a lot of running around.

“He has had a very good career and is one of the game’s true characters. I knew I had signed a good keeper but he has been even better than I had expected.

“We know how each other works and how much we both want to make sure he finishes on a high. One of his former clubs is Salisbury and he would love for us to finish in front of them."

Ex-Gloucester, Hereford and Cinderford Town keeper Alex Harris has signed as cover for Sawyer at United. 

Harris remains registered with Midland League Premier Division outfit Westfields and played for them in Saturday's 3-2 win at Shawbury United.