Mere minutes after pressing send on a retirement post which brought an end to a career that featured Premiership and Irish Cup glory, James Knowles had already received a number of enquiries about reversing his decision.

The update which flashed across social media on July 11 would have taken many by surprise – Knowles hanging up his boots aged just 33 – but a desire to fully embrace the next chapter of life beyond the pitch provided motivation.

Last month, Knowles and wife Camille welcomed their first child – baby Jasper – into the world, and with no requirement to travel across Northern Ireland for training and matches, the new parents have been able to soak up every priceless moment together.

Knowles enjoyed the entirety of his football journey which started in Lisburn and ended in Dungannon via stops at Blackburn Rovers, Cliftonville, Linfield, Glentoran and Ballymena United.

placeholder image — Former Irish League star James Knowles with wife Camille and baby Jasper. (Photo by James Knowles)

However, perhaps the greatest indicator that he timed his exit to perfection is the feeling of peace – and absence of any regret.

"I was thinking about the decision probably since January,” Knowles told the News Letter. “I'd said to a few people that I'd been thinking about it – a lot of people will tell you to play for as long as you can.

"It came to the end of the season and it was time to make a decision. I had a load of offers on the table and I asked my wife what I should do, and she said ‘James, it's you that needs to make a decision’.

"I didn't want to keep any managers waiting too long, I'm not that type of guy, and I just came in after work one day and I was like, ‘look, that's me, I'm done’, and right now thinking about it, I don't miss it one single bit, which is so good.

"Honestly, I put that post out on Instagram, and I was getting messages left, right and centre about more opportunities. I'm like, ‘no, I'm retired, I'm done!’.

"Camille gave birth to our first son on October 16 and I knew I just really wanted to enjoy that time. I absolutely love being a dad, it’s the best feeling in the world.”

Knowles spent time on the books of a Premier League club, won every trophy available to him in the Irish League and represented his country up to U21 level – an undoubtedly successful career by almost anybody’s metrics.

As he flicks back through the thoughtful book of images compiled by Camille to highlight his achievements, Knowles feels a sense of pride, but still insists he should have reached greater heights.

"I've been able to do things now that I wasn’t able to do throughout my whole career, which is great,” added Knowles. "I am proud, but I probably should have done a hell of a lot more with the ability that I had, if I'm totally honest.

"But do I regret anything? No, not at all. I'm proud that I went away to England, I experienced the full-time aspect at a Premier League club at the time in Blackburn, and then I came back and won everything there is to win here really.

"When you go to England, you see the amount of offers that were on the table...I'm a big believer that everything happens for a reason, I could have went on if a different manager was in charge, or a wee bit of luck, you get your opportunity to play in the first team and take it.

"With the talent I had, I could have done a hell of a lot more, but I'm still very, very proud.”

Knowles has attended two Irish League matches since retiring – both featuring Dungannon Swifts – and when tuning into NIFL TV, the Co Tyrone club are top of his list.

That perhaps paints the picture of the fondness for which Knowles holds the last five years of his career at Stangmore Park and the journey they went on together.

Arriving in 2021 after Dungannon had just finished bottom of a Premiership season impacted by the pandemic, Knowles’ final Swifts match was a European play-off final against Linfield, which came just 10 days after a second consecutive Irish Cup final.

“Dungannon was definitely a massive part,” said Knowles. “Winning with that club, it just meant so much.

"I seen both sides of the club, I signed under Dean Shiels, had the relegation battles, saw how much it meant to the club to stay in the division.

"Then you see the side of Rod (McAree) coming on board, the players that he's bringing in that are good people that want to do well, you see the mindset shift...it was a complete journey.

"That's also a reason why I called it a day too, I couldn't imagine myself going anywhere else and being part of another club.”