Dexter Blackstock on his Rotherham United exit

The one-time centre-forward lasted for only a single season in South Yorkshire, making just five starts in the 2016/17 Championship relegation season.

Blackstock, who was Rotherham's biggest earner after signing a three-year deal as a free agent following his departure from Nottingham Forest, retired from football when he left AESSEAL New York Stadium with a pay-off.

The 32-year-old is pursuing pharmacy and property interests after 14 years as a pro and hasn't kicked a ball in anger since his Millers exit.

He told mirror.co.uk: “I had two years left at Rotherham and I quit. I had got into property and had the pharmacy interests while I was still playing. I wasn't day-to-day in the office but it became a successful business.

“If I didn't have anything else to do or other options, I might have toughed it out, but I was washing my own kit in the Championship with no facilities and had finally had enough.

“People said 'What are you doing?' but I felt I could do more with my own time.

“I said I would take my chances. I have not regretted it for one second."

Blackstock, who made his name at Southampton, Queens Park Rangers and Forest, was brought to Rotherham by then-manager Alan Stubbs on September 5 2016 .

He didn't start a game until October 22 and scored one goal in 17 Millers appearances.

Stubbs was replaced by Kenny Jackett and then Paul Warne. Well before the end of the season, Warne, who wanted only 100 per cent competitors in his dressing room as he built for the future, knew that the forward didn't fit his Millers blueprint.

The striker never returned for pre-season training and negotiated a settlement to leave in July before the start of the 2017/2018 League One promotion campaign.

“I haven't put on my boots or kicked a ball since - apart from with my son in the garden," Blackstock said. "I have been fortunate things have gone well off the field but I work hard at it.

“Footballers do sometimes get a bad reputation but I brought my first property when I was 18.

“I remember an older player saying to me when I was about 22 'Don't buy a fast car because you will never earn this money again'.

“It was genuine advice but it didn't make any sense to me because how can you say that and restrict your possibilities?”