Kyle Walker, Wojciech Szczesny and other footballers who quit Twitter

Tottenham Hotspur full-back Kyle Walker is the latest footballer to quit social networking website Twitter, following a barrage of abuse from 'fans'. Players are continually targetted by 'trolls' who needlessly berate them online, but sometimes certain players don't help themselves.

Here are a handful of stars who have quit social media over the past year.

Darron Gibson
When 'Gibbo' joined Twitter in April 2011, he was following in the footsteps of then-Manchester United team-mates Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney who have become huge draws on the social networking site. Gibson, however, would never have imagined what would happen next, and after just 97-minutes he shut down his account following the volume of abuse and criticism he received from United fans centred around his supposedly below-par performances. Just minutes later the topic '#getbackgibbo' started trending, but it wasn't until late September 2012 that Gibson was coaxed back.

Danny Simpson
Following Newcastle's 2-1 defeat to Arsenal back in March, the defender was a target for his own fans after seemingly being at fault for Thomas Vermaelen's 95th-minute winner, despite having made two goal-line clearances earlier in the match. Simpson immediately quit Twitter slamming the Newcastle fans and vowing never to return to the site. “Time to delete this. Never read so much s**t in my life. Hurts to read that stuff when you're trying your best and working hard every day,” he said.

Federico Macheda
The one-time Manchester United hero closed his account last season after two separate incidents which landed him in hot water. While on a short-term loan at QPR during the second half of last season, the Italian striker criticised Rs boss Mark Hughes for dropping him, saying “Totally p****d off... this is not what i deserve! **** all!!!!!”. Following a slap on the wrists by QPR chiefs, Macheda found himself in much deeper trouble after a homophobic slur resulted in a £15,000 fine from the FA. He promptly closed his account.

Kyle Walker
The PFA Young Player of the Year and precocious Tottenham talent is the latest footballer to quit Twitter after being slammed by fans following their 2-4 loss at home to Chelsea. The England international appeared at fault for Chelsea's fourth goal, and found himself being slaughtered on the website during and after the match. The 22 year-old promptly responded to the criticisms by announcing that he was closing his account, not before taking a parting shot at the critics. “Would love to know what I’m doing so different I give 100% every game and still u (have) something to say I’m 22 and learning #embarrassing”.

Wojciech Szczesny
Arsenal goalkeeper and one-time tweeter Wojciech Szczesny learnt the hard way just how dangerous Twitter can be for footballers. Shortly after creating an account, the Polish stopper decided to close it after ill-advisedly describing team-mate Aaron Ramsey as looking like a 'rapist' in a photo. Szczesny swiftly issued an apology and said he would be focusing on his football rather than tweeting.

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