KEVIN Davies reckons a “demoralising” exit at Preston North End this summer accelerated his decision to retire.

The former Wanderers skipper called time on a 22-year playing career today, of which nearly half was spent wearing the white of Bolton.

Super Kev played more than 400 games for Wanderers before leaving the club in 2013 and signing a two-year deal with neighbouring Preston.

Afterhelping Simon Grayson’s side to promotion via the League One play-offs the former England international was assured that a player-coach contract was in the offing – but after that offer was retracted at the last moment, he admits the experience may have been a deciding factor in him calling it a day.

“It was demoralising,” he told The Bolton News. “It was a real kick in the teeth at the time because I felt able to continue. I felt I could have offered something in the Championship and I was looking forward to the challenge.

“I went away for a couple of weeks with the family and did some thinking but since I’ve been back, doing work with the Bolton and Bury District Football League, media stuff, a bit of coaching, I’ve found myself not missing it.

“I don’t miss the cut-throat nature of it. I can look back knowing I went out on a play-off final and I’m perfectly happy with that.”

Davies got “half-offers” to continue his playing career in India and Australia, and firmer ones closer to home with the likes of Oldham Athletic, Southend United, Northampton Town and Tranmere Rovers.

But the 38-year-old jokes it would have taken something special to convince him to play on in the end.

“Emma (Davies’s wife) reckons Manchester United could have offered me a contract and I’d still have turned it down,” he said. “I think my mind was made up, I just needed to find the right time to make it official.

“I had offers but I’d already answered it in my own mind.

“Physically I could have handled it but after what went on at Preston I think I’ll be glad to put that kind of ruthlessness behind me.”

Although a Yorkshireman by birth, Davies is now looking forward to life spent on the other side of the fence in his adopted home town of Bolton.

“The town means a lot to me and the messages and support from people has been great – I thank everyone,” he said.

“Since I’ve been out and about doing media work I’ve found a lot of fans from opposing teams have been really kind, always telling me they hated playing against me. It’s a back-handed compliment, I think.

“But the people in Bolton took to me straight away and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”