Jimmy Bullard admits his retirement decision has been very hard to take but admits it is the right choice.
The 33-year old yesterday called time on his career after suffering a minor injury whilst playing with MK Dons which prompted him to stop playing the game he loves so much.
Bullard, who spent time with the likes of Wigan Athletic, Fulham, West Ham United and Hull City, said it has been an odd feeling thinking about his life without football but is sure he has made the correct decision.
"It all seems quite weird. It kind of hit me like a sledgehammer yesterday," Bullard, who has had two major knee injuries during his career, told Sky Sports News Radio.
"I got a whack in my first game for MK Dons. It was a dead leg, which seemed minor, but it was a hell of a whack. The swelling went down my leg into my bad knee and then alarm bells started ringing.
"I was a bit shocked and I was getting pain with it, so I had a word with (manager) Karl (Robinson) and decided to call it a day.
"It was a massive decision made relatively easy by the state of my knee. I had a mixture of feelings.
"My heart was saying 'carry on'. I always thought I could perform at that level, but my head was saying 'no you can't Jim'.
"If I was playing Saturday, Tuesday, it would immediately swell up and I couldn't play on the Saturday.
"I know I've done the right thing. I've had a great time and a great career."
