I know exactly how you felt. I last played in 2010 aged 51 weighing 18 stone (on a sand pitch in the desert). One run (or psudo run, more of a stop-start dash really) absolutely killed me, goalkeeper for the rest of the match as there was no oxygen (or amphetamines) available. Still, at least I managed to make the bar at the mine for the afters. Prop Forward was my best position but that's another story.
Wasn't caught that often mate, too quick! still am over 20yds, 30 is asking a bit much and 40 you're probably looking at dialling 999! Never broke a bone though, my injuries were my own doing mainly, every ankle injury bar a break you could have, I haven't got ankles, more like ****les!
There weren't many teams in my area so opportunities for a competitive game were limited I usually played CB due to all the goal hangers but it did suit my stubborn bastard "nothing gets past me" mentality I do remember one attempt for the ball in an impromptu game that went waist high and would mean an early bath otherwise
Somebody mention I'd be a great defender- spot on. Played RB for a few years then 1 year a bloke turned up and said that was the only place he could play was RB so I switched to LB and and after learning that my left foot wasn't for leaning on was quite good. Occasionally I played up front because I was the the most likely to score as the others didn't have a clue- mind you I wasn't the Defoe type, more like Keano just in behind the main forwards scored some belters from outside the area though.
I was a Centre Forward...,for those of you that don't remember or are too young to know; Its the position where you line up in the centre of the forward line., The main task of the Centre Forward was to score goals. I would also switch to Right Wing during games because I could sprint a bit and was very athletic. I was good too 'till I was carried off to play Cricket and Rugby (at school) for six years.... that should have been that,..... but the urge to play football was too stronge. I ended up playing seriously on Saturdays/Sundays and my position was mainly Inside Right.
Ah! Centre Forward and Inside Right proper positions with assigned numbers. Outside Left Inside Left Centre Forward Inside Right Outside Right Left Half Centre Half Right Half Left Back Right Back Goalkeeper
At University, played in the centre of defence, and once my time was up there (many, many moons ago as it is) put my boots away and never tied the laces again.
