A tearful farewell from Bobby

Bobby Copping admitted he broke down when telling his mum he was having to retire from professional football at the age of 19.

Posh youngster Copping quit on medical advice after suffering a head trauma to end a childhood dream before it had really got started.

“All I wanted to do since I was two was play football,” Copping said. “That dream has now been taken away which is heartbreaking for me and my family who have always been right there to support me. “The hardest thing was telling my mum the news. To hear her crying was very tough for me. “The support from the football world has been unbelievable though.”

Bobby Copping has relived the scary moment when he suffered a mini seizure and temporary blindness after simply heading a football.

Copping has been forced to announce his retirement from professional football at the age of 19 because of a head trauma.

He recovered from that first incident in February 2020, but a relapse last November forced him to accept medical advice and call it quits.

The talented centre-back, who joined Posh from Bury when that club folded in 2019, was originally admitted to hospital for four days.

“I went up for a header and as soon as I landed I basically went blind,” Copping recalled. “I couldn’t see a thing. I went to see the best brain specialist in the country and we just hoped it was a one-off, but in a warm-up, as I prepared to play 90 minutes for the first time since the incident, it happened again.

“I had to stop. My health had to come first. We tried medication, but it just knocked me out. I had no energy.

“I still suffer from headaches and memory loss now. I can’t be a passenger in a car as I get sick.

“All I ever wanted to do was play football and words can’t describe how gutted I feel.

“There was a two-week spell when I just sat in the dark in my room eating rubbish. It was a horrible situation.

“My advice to other young players is to play each game as though it’s your last. You never know what’s around the corner.

“I was flying and then one header later my career was over.”

The news rocked everyone at the Weston Homes Stadium.

Posh boss Darren Ferguson dedicated last Saturday’s win over AFC Wimbledon to Bobby.

“I told the players we had to win for Bobby,” Ferguson said. “Bobby is a great lad and everyone is devastated by his retirement, but his health has to come first.

“We are delighted we beat Wimbledon and we could then dedicate the win the win to Bobby.”

Bobby Copping.