Following the double leg break, which occurred in February 2012 against Rochdale, his long battle to return to full fitness has given way with the announcement that Stephen Purches is to retire from the professional game, where playing is concerned.
Speaking in the Bournemouth Evening Echo on the decision, Purches is quoted as saying: "My leg is back to a point where I can kick a ball and run but not to the level it needs to be to play professional football and I have been advised to call it a day. It was a tough decision to make but, once you know it is the end, you have to be honest with yourself. I tried my best last season to give myself every chance to play but it wasn’t to be. Nobody wants to finish playing but things happen for a reason. I have been very fortunate to have been given an opportunity to carry on working here. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else because I have learned a great deal from the manager and Jason over the past 12 months. Working with the development squad has given me a really good insight into everything that goes on. When you are on the coaching side, you can never switch off and it is non-stop. I have been lucky to have had a chance to gradually move into that side of the game. Now I have decided to call it a day, I can devote all my time to working with and trying to improve the young players rather than thinking I might have a chance to get back out there again. My 100 per cent focus is making sure I do the best for the club, as it was when I was a player. Signing here 14 years ago gave me an opportunity to set up the rest of my life and I will always be grateful for everything this club has given me".