I was training with the Norwich Academy aged 13, In Ipswich Academy at 14 and then Colchester from 15 - 17 but released due to cutting back staff numbers... Plus played for a couple Ridgeons/Jewson (whatever it's called now) league teams between then and Uni Also played a short spell in Norwich for Old Catton between my academy years... I then abused my body during 3 wonderful years at University (and the years following) and only got back into playing again in last couple of years now I live near Loughborough. I play a decent standard again where I get paid every so often but very frustrating to know what you want/used to do but the body isn't quite able too...
Used to play a bit on the wing but preferred 5-a-side before I got too old. Played Cricket for Corah (a local Leicester firm) as opener. It was Botham on a Thursday for the 10 overs league and Boycott on a Saturday afternoon where it was a day's game. Also Snooker and more regularly golf where I got down to 14 handicap, best round 83.
Have to say my replacement hip slows me down a bit! Used to get a load of goals but lazy defensively. ACL did for me when I was 30. Played grass hockey for 4 years after that (more dangerous than footy!) then concentrated on squash until my hip went snap crackle pop at 52. I now enjoy Seniors golf in Hertfordshire - an excellent crack (not my hip thankfully!).
I won a few trophies at summer camps at NCFC at around 9-13 years old and got recommended to P'borough United and played in their academy but it really put me off football if I am honest. I loved playing football and played all the time in my early teens but how serious they were took the fun out of it for me so I stopped playing around 14 for a couple of years. I got the bug again and I have always just played for my local side since who I have captained since I was 18, I am now 28. I play both Saturday and Sunday league and Monday nights 6 a side. I turned out for a couple of clubs at Semi Pro level but despite my love of football I cannot condone sitting on a bus full of people who are just playing semi proffessional for an ego trip and the money they get - which is actually quite surprising in some cases! I have suffered some bad injuries on the way but whenever I do it just makes me realise that I want to keep playing whilst I can. I have ruptured my cruciate ligament, torn my rotator cuff and had many less serious ligament injuries. I think I have 2 seasons left in me and will continue playing whilst I can and my girlfriend lets me!!! One thing I have noticed and maybe others have too is how the number of local sides has really diminished over the last 15 years. I also have a degree in sports coaching specialising in football but due to playing I havent really been able to get involved in this as much as I would like despite completing some coaching badges.
