HARLOW Town striker Alex Read has announced his retirement from the game.

The forward has decided to focus his attention on a degree qualification.

Read first played for the Hawks in 2013, scoring 52 goals in his debut season for the club before he followed that up with another 42 and 38 goals respectively in the seasons that followed. The striker spent five seasons at the club between 2013 and 2018, before departing for Tonbridge Angels ahead of the 2018/19 season. 

During his time with the Angels, Read helped steer the club to promotion to the National League before having brief spells with Aveley, Enfield Town and Wingate & Finchley during the 2019/20 season.

In February 2020, the fans-favourite re-joined the Hawks for a second spell, lasting until the end of the season but after some time away he was back for his third spell ahead of the 2021/22 season. 

In his time with Harlow, Alex has netted 202 times, making him the club’s record scorer ahead of Marc Salmon (198), and earning him legendary status amongst the Harlow supporters. 

Harlow Town would like to thank Alex for his time at the club and wish him all the best with his retirement and whatever the future holds for him.