From wikipedia
"Upon his return to Britain, Knowles made an announcement which saw his career take a dramatic and unexpected turn. While in Kansas he became one of Jehovah's Witnesses, and in his own words, "I shall continue playing football for the time being but I have lost my ambition. Though I still do my best on the field I need more time to learn about the Bible and may give up football." Despite this, Wolves got the 1969–70 season off to a great start, winning seven out of their first eight matches. The eighth game of the season, a 3-3 draw against Nottingham Forest, was the last game that Knowles ever played.
Knowles was now retired from football and the dream of winning a full England cap would never be fulfilled. But a succession of Wolves managers held out the hope that Knowles might one day return to the game, and he remained on contract at the club for the next 12 years"
― Named locally as Tom D (Tom D.), Wednesday, 24 October 2012 15:23 (twelve years ago)
my dad remembers the story, i will ask him tonight
― rhino what boys like (Noodle Vague), Wednesday, 24 October 2012 15:35 (twelve years ago)
Makes me think of George Connelly, tho totally different circumstances, the wunderkind who walked away blah blah blah. Are there others?
― Named locally as Tom D (Tom D.), Wednesday, 24 October 2012 15:39 (twelve years ago)
Carlos Roa, Argentina's goalie in 1998, was/is a Seventh Day Adventist and quit football soon afterwards in preparation for the end of the world. He did return to the game a couple of years later, however, when it didn't.
― Ismael Klata, Sunday, 28 October 2012 20:54 (twelve years ago)
he had no business comin out for that, for me
― but with socks instead of football (darraghmac), Tuesday, 30 October 2012 06:33 (twelve years ago)