David Bentley has revealed that his lack of appetite for the professional game was the reason behind his retirement.

The 29-year-old decided to end his playing career in June after failing to find a new club in the year following the end of his contract with Tottenham Hotspur.

Bentley is adamant that he always gave his all while on the pitch, but has admitted that he did not enjoy a lot of the aspects that came with being a professional footballer.

He told The Mirror: "For me the professional dressing-room wasn't that exciting, life wasn't that great. Whether my career reached the heights it could or should have done – certain people are built for the life of a footballer but I don't think I was.

"I had the tools but I don't think I had that. But that's what makes me who I am and I never wanted to change it. Everyone grows up dreaming of being a Premier League footballer, playing for England – and I did it.

"But it wasn't like whoopee-do and then, bang, finished. The contract ran down, it stopped and I stopped playing. I didn't give up while I had a contract, I just decided that my future was outside of football."

Bentley made seven appearances for England during his 11-year career as a professional.