SHOLING centre-back Lee Bright says he has “pretty much” made his mind up to retire along with Tyronne Bowers and Marc Diaper.

“I’m 33 now and, what with all the travelling, I’ve done my fair share,” he said.

“Like Marc says, you can’t get much better than bowing out at Wembley on Saturday in the Vase final.”

Sholing’s decision to return to the Southern League after a successful season’s sojourn back as a Wessex League club may well prove the tipping point in Bright’s decision.

“It’s a lot of travelling and the amount of football we’ve been playing doesn’t help,” he said. “Three or four games a week takes its toll.“But I’ve got a couple of months off now and I’ll go from there.”

West End-based Bright has been with Sholing (formerly VT FC) since 2005, ever since parting company with Eastleigh.

When he was made redundant from his job as a delivery driver, he started working for Sholing team boss Dave Diaper as an electrician with BSA Regal.

“I couldn’t play for a better manager and he’s looked after me with work and stuff too,” he said.

“People give it loads about some of us working for Dave, but if he’s good enough to look after you and sort you out, you can’t ask for anything more.

“It’s a privilege to play for him.”

Were it not for Saturday’s Vase final, Bright would be on a lads’ trip away in Las Vegas.

“There were 20 of us meant to be going for one of my best mate’s stag do from Tuesday (this week) until Sunday, but I’ve had to cancel and I’ve lost money too,” he said. “It’s a shame but my mate understands.

“He knows I’ll never get the opportunity to play at Wembley again.”