It was extraordinary to see the amount of coverage given to David Beckham’s retirement as a professional footballer a couple of weeks ago.

There are cynics among us who would suggest that the 38-year-old had done something along those lines six summers ago when he walked away from front-line European football to chase the dollars at LA Galaxy.

Whatever anyone may think of his American adventure, that’s a little unfair since, in addition to 29 appearances for AC Milan and 10 for Paris St Germain in the final six years of his career, Beckham played a further 17 times for England to set a national record of 115 caps for an outfield player.

But, given the wallpaper coverage given to old Goldenballs hanging up his boots referred as much to Beckham the brand as Beckham the footballer, his retirement won’t be bringing about too much of a change in lifestyle.

For footballers up and down the country, though, this is a time of uncertainty and worry, with those players nearing the end of their contract waiting to see if they make a retained list or get offered a new contract somewhere else.

Being an AFC Wimbledon player at this time of year seems to be pretty precarious. Neal Ardley has kept up his predecessor Terry Brown’s annual summer cull by releasing nine players, despite the club having survived in League Two.

Your Local Guardian: Neal Ardley

Just like old times: AFC Wimbledon boss Neal Ardley has wielded his scythe for a summer cull of players

There is some experience among those players, of course, but what is even more heart-wrenching is seeing the thousands of players who get released across the country, their dreams of professional football dashed having spent years in the academy system, only to fall at the final hurdle.

Of course, many of those players drift down the divisions and play in non-league, but there are also countless stories of players who give up the game altogether or fall on hard times.

Not for them a life of underwear modelling – well, not necessarily, although one-time AFC Wimbledon player Jay Conroy has done well for himself, making it on to the front of Men’s Health, among other things.

But you get the impression from Beckham that the one thing he really wanted to do was play football. Like any player having to hang up his boots, the rest will be a mere second best.