BASINGSTOKE Bison’s double-winning captain, Nicky Chinn, has decided to end his glittering playing career and retire from the sport after 27 seasons.

The 42-year-old made his senior debut for the Cardiff Devils in the campaign of 1988/89 and is one of the legends of the modern era of the game, playing for the Herd for five of his last six seasons.

The Cardiff-born forward started his career with his home-town team and helped them to become a real force in the game, sweeping all before them in the Heineken era of the sport.

It was during this time that the rugged forward made his first appearances against Basingstoke.

He then had spells with the Sheffield Steelers, London Racers, Guildford Flames and then the Slough Jets.

When Slough player/coach Steve Moria took over at the Bison in the English Premier League, Chinn made the move to Basingstoke and took over as captain.

After three campaigns with the Herd, he spent a season in Milton Keynes before returning to Basingstoke for the past two years, where he once again wore the C on his shirt.

Bison player/coach Doug Sheppard said: “I must thank Nicky for his time at the Bison and being our captain during our double-winning year. He was a great player and I am sure he will be missed by the fans of the sport right across Britain.”

Chinn said: “I have had a great career with many happy memories, but I feel it is the right time to call it a day.

“I would like to thank all of the players and fans for their support over the years. I am sure I will miss playing.”

Looking ahead to next season, Sheppard was set to have talks with a number of the Bison players this week and hopes to announce some more signing news next week.

Sheppard said: “I would like to bring back the core of last season’s team and then build on it, as I don’t think we were very far away.”

The play-off trophy, which the Bison won last year, is now owned by the Peterborough Phantoms.

They won the final 5-2 over the Manchester Phoenix last Sunday, after they beat the league champions Telford 4-2 the previous day.

The Phoenix, who beat the Bison to make the final four, saw off the Milton Keynes Lightning 7-4 in the second semi-final.