22 July 2023 , 06:00
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A career in professional football doesn't last for ever.
At some point, every player must think about what to with their lives once the glory ends. Some choose a career in coaching, others decide to quit football altogether. Yet Blackburn Rovers legend Simon Garner, who remains the club's record scorer, had other ideas.
Now 63, Garner works as a decorator during the day and a football commentator for BBC Radio Lancashire at night. It took the ex-prolific striker a while to decide on his next career path, but he eventually found the answer at the bottom of a pot of paint.
Garner is an icon to thousands of Blackburn fans of a certain age. He scored a record 194 goals for the Lancashire club during a 14-year spell, 64 more than the great Alan Shearer managed at Ewood Park during the 90s. That is some achievement.
Born in the Lincolnshire town of Boston, Garner graduated from Blackburn's academy in 1978 and played an important role in firing them back to the top flight in 1992 for the inaugural Premier League campaign. He left Ewood Park that year - handing the baton on to Shearer - but he continued to score goals for the likes of West Brom and Wycombe.
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Garner spent time working as a postman and even managed council houses for former Wycombe owner Steve Hayes before deciding to pick up a paint brush. A friend offered him the chance to become a decorator following a pub conversation.
"Fortunately, this guy gave me the job, taught me the ropes, and after eight months I went on my own," Garner told The Sun in 2019. Running his own business in Cookham, Berkshire, allows Garner to pick his own hours and keep his commentary job.
Garner works as a decorator during the day and a football commentator for BBC Radio Lancashire at night (@simongarner10/Twitter)Do you remember Simon Garner at Blackburn Rovers? Let us know in the comments below!
Blackburn fans will hope Garner stays on airwaves for years to come. Although Rovers currently play in the Championship, they have achieved significant success since Garner's exit - winning the Premier League title and League Cup. They've also played in Europe seven times since 1992, including a stint in the Champions League in 1995.
Yet supporters have never forgotten Garner's contribution. In 2019, he was inducted into Blackburn's Hall of Fame alongside six other club heroes - including Shearer and legendary Premier League goalkeeper Brad Friedel.
"It's been a truly memorable night for this inaugural Hall of Fame event," said Blackburn's chief executive Steve Waggott. "The range of the first seven inductees perfectly encapsulated the great and rich history of this wonderful football club.
"It was an evening where the audience shared in the laughter, tears and high emotion of the evening, with the atmosphere in the room being electric as each player’s story was told, creating many unforgettable memories for all of us lucky enough to be there."
As well as decorating and commentating, Garner also works as an after dinner speaker - delighting fans with stories from his playing days. He's also planning on releasing a new book later this year, two decades after publishing his first autobiography.
Garner may look unrecognisable with paint splatted on his fleece, but his career path allows him to be his own boss and stay closely connected to his one true footballing love, Blackburn Rovers. That is priceless.