Same. Had a dodgy left ankle and would roll it regularly when I was a kid so never got into team football. More so just with mates,I was 6 foot at 14 so would get called "Quinny" when we were spending every waking hour on the grass "having a kick about". No matter what level how good or "****" you were, nothing beats playing football with your mates at a young age. Class summer mid-late 90s into the 2000s days leading into the night where you could smell the grass as everything cooled. I was "up front" because I had a very powerful shot and scored regularly. I used to dummy a shot to make room because anyone in front of me would **** themselves and move out the way. I used to protect my ankle as much as possible as it kind of sorted its self out as I entered my mid teens. So nothing ever really came of organised team football,shame really because I ended up 6'3 and around 15 stone with a wicked shot so had the attributes of a centre forward. Ah well, that was 20 years ago. lol
You're right mate. My mates have always envied my adventures ... ... I've secretly always envied those who were born in a village/community and lived there all their lives. But, as I always say, you can't live two lives unless you're a bigamist
Played against Kenny Burns once. Kenny won 2 European Cups for Forest under Cloughie. Cloughie would absolutely rave about him. He must have been mid 40s and me mid 20s at a guess. He was centre mid and so was I. Were right up against each other. Except I could get nowhere near him. He barely left the centre circle and totally dominated. It was his speed in the head that made me look like I had never played before. That and he was a strong as an ox. I was strong on the pitch and could use my body very well, I bounced off him. It would be the tiniest movement to give himself a few inches of space to receive the ball. I could be literally stood on his toes in front and he would be able to make the space he needed. I probably had 3 inches on him but didnt win a header. I had him once when the ball came on my safe side and I knew he was closing the space and I rolled him. Was off, for a split second, before he took me out . I jumped up and turned round and he just stood, with a look that said dont bother sunshine Strength in elite players is not about size, or even physical bulk. It is all about body shape and feet placement. I used to coach lads how to defend set pieces. And a big part was how to not let players knock you about. I could often get smallish lads to become a strong run blocker. If you have a natural mentality about the physical contact then you will take some shifting.
This is a blinking good thread I turned down the chance to play for the school team 'cos I just didn't fancy it, but I played for a few local teams as a left winger . . . . I wasn't brilliant, but there weren't many left footers about, and I was fast. When I was about 18 I decided to become a referee (doing it for a few years) 'cos I couldn't play and this was my way of being involved . . . . I've still got a plaque/trophy thingy somewhere after officiating in a cup final when we had an international tournament including teams from 'Sheels & Wuppertal (our German twin town), so I've refereed in an international cup final When I was a ref. we had a tournament for all of the referee societies in the north east at Sedgefield, we won the tournament, with me scoring the only goal in the final, and I didn't realise until someone pointed it out that I had scored every single goal in every round for 'Sheels ! I was mentioned in the 'Sheels Gazette because of it, though they got my name wrong (spelling) It wasn't until my late 20s that I realised that I could actually play football, modelling myself on my hero, Glenn Hoddle 'cos, although I can't tackle or dribble, I can pass like he could, with either foot, and I won one cup whilst playing for International Paints in Felling. Having started on the left wing, I slowly made my way to centre half . . . . retreating 'cos of age/lack of pace. I still play now (friendly games with 'the lads') on Sunday mornings in Washington (5 or 6-a-side 5g outdoor pitch) and Wednesday tea-time in Sheels (5-a-side indoors) and I've got no intentions of stopping . . . . I used to play regularly against Aidan McCaffery (ex skunk centre half) on Sundays about 15 -20 years ago, I think, and I before my broken neck I played 3 times a week . . . . Thursday at Durham Cricket Club, too. I know that I'm very lucky to be able to continue as I am, though I know that it's only a matter of time until something health-wise makes me stop (I've had loads of broken ribs and some minor injuries playing football, but nothing serious apart from a broken neck when I was knocked off my bike 2 and a half years ago (I enjoy cycling, too), which meant that I had to wear a brace and couldn't do anything whatsoever for (exactly) 6 months - including having to sleep on the settee 'cos of the brace). I count my blessings that I can still do what I do 'cos I really nearly wasn't here Anyway, if you fancy a game or two on Sunday mornings, Chunks (or anyone that's local), let me know . . . . proper football, not that walking football bollocks, 'cos you're not old enough for that p.s. I was once sent off at Roker Park, and (separate occasion) I've seen Curly Perm (yes, him) in the nude
Thanks for the offer mate, but a large beer belly and knowing I'd be struggling to walk the days after will see me decline the invite
My elder cousin ( was Sunderland books but got screwed up in a mining accident) had impressed on me the importance of using both feet at a young age. Spent ages playing spot the dog / donkey to build up my left foot during primary school, and played in a v good team that made the papers. By the time I reached secondary I got shoved on either right and left wing as I was fast, robust for a little un (if I was born a week later I’d have been in the year below me) and could ping the ball - scored from the half-way line on my debut. Bit of a ‘have it’ moment with my lefty. Played for South Moor boys club, aged 13-15 against sides across the north east - Redheugh, Wallsend, Cramlington etc - a lot of these kids were so good, loads signed up at clubs - Forest, Villa, Ipswich as well as Safc or Mags. I knew I was never that level, esp when I went up against a kid who was England U-15s, but I would give it a go and just enjoyed playing. By 16 I finally sprouted up, and massively filled out by 17 so moved into centre mid. by time I was at uni I played as an 8 and also a bit of rugby. I got better and better at reading the game, finding space and knowing when to close it down. I moved to London after Uni, but moved around so much I never settled on an 11sies team. so 5-a-side at work twice a week plus one game of 7 a side in the evening with mates became the go to - and my favourite format. I was the fittest I’d ever been by mid-20s, well built, loads of stamina, very good burst of speed, loved a robust tackle and could hit a rocket - I broke two keepers arms from distance (trying to save my shots) - not the greatest claim to fame but hey . Played in a few games against a local team in Brixton, with a lot of lads who’d been at Chelsea, Palace and others in their youth. The best compliment was they’d thought I’d got to that level, but I was a late bloomer. Played 11sies for a team when I lived in Prague during my 30s. Had some great fun and tours playing over there inc one mad trip to Hamburg. Played against a few ex- internationals which was a great challenge early 40s in Helsinki still played and trained with a bunch of young uns, but I had torn the tendons in both feet by then, and both hamstrings. So playing hard, cold surfaces just ****ed up my feet and legs for days afterwards…. And hung up me boots. Ain’t played since moving back to Blighty five years ago, bar kicking the ball about with my nipper. There is a local vets team , and I keep thinking I could have one last hurrah. If only I had a cryochamber at home.
Great thread lads. I've run 5aside, now 7aside from work for 30 odd years. I can pick teams and talk football but never played at any level. At 60 I'm still annoyed we haven't got the numbers for this weeks game. Love playing, drinking a few and talking football. Also, at 15 my sons recently joined in playing and really enjoys running round us old men (two are 68) and scoring. I'm so proud of him, don't know where he gets his football skills from. Roll on after Easter where hopefully we'll get our 7aside games back on. If anyone is about on a Thursday 5pm k.o. Dunston 3g, drop me a pm if you fancy a game.
I was a pretty decent centre half under 9s to under 15s...captained most of the teams I played for and went to Middlesbrough school of excellence for a few years. I was completely football obsessed (still am but I dont let it dictate my mood anymore). I jacked in at 16 for a couple of reasons. Firstly, despite playing/training 4 times a week I couldnt keep up with the fitness levels of the top lads...always bottom half in cross country! That was fine as a CB but a succession of coaches kept insisting I should play CM...hated it, blowing out my arse by 60 mins. Secondly, I was absolutely fine when the whistle went but I used to get so ****ing stressed before games...literally couldn't sleep the night before...took it way too seriously. It was the 90s and it was very different to now...games would often be complete warzones in terms of the parents behaviour...13 year olds getting absolutely berated by their dads for stray passes. Still remember it very fondly in spite of that.
Your point about strength and top players using their body is bang on. I once played against David Johnson (Forest, Ipswich Bury etc) a few years after he retired. He wasn’t as stocky as when he was playing but when he received the ball with his back to goal he was impossible to knock off the ball. He always got his body between you and the ball and his legs were rooted to the ground so he used that to push against the defender. He also had absolute trust in his touch so could just focus on holding the defender off, not that I seemed to cause him too much concern on that front either.
Started off playing for Cleadon Village junior school at the age of 8 and then South Shield boys. Went to the big school aged 11 at Seaham Northlea....there was a guy called Gary Rowell in the same team It seemed Gary had potential and left around the fifth year....never knew what happened to him after that When at school I was playing for the school Saturday morning, Roker Boys Saturday afternoon, Cleadon Brit pub team Sunday Morning and youth club Sunday afternoon....have a dizzy spell thinking about that now. With Roker Boys we won the county championship and played in tournaments in Germany and Mexico City. Experienced my first gob full of spit in the face in the Mexico games.....must have been something I said. Went on trial to Newcastle, Crystal Palace and Sunderland. At Newcastle played in practice game for youths against reserves and first team. Malcolm MacDonald was playing and he scored 8 goals in a 9 - 1 win for them.....I got ours. Newcastle offered 500 quid to sign apprentice and I turned it down....don't ask why. At Crystal Palace played against Chelsea youth team....we had Kenny Samson in our team...another player that looked decent but never heard after that At my beloved Sunderland played in practice game amongst other youth players....was through on goal and lifted over the goalkeeper who wiped me out. After recovering from injury nothing ever materialized. Onto non league and played for Whitley Bay, Crook, Evenwood, Ferryhill, Durham City in the Northern League. In the Wearside league played for Ryhope where we won the County Cup against Brandon...got the winner in the final. So won County Cup at youth and senior level. When I moved to LA I wanted to put something back in the game so I coached at the local park with AYSO for 15 years with the coach. Loved every minute of it......it was great when the mothers of the kids would come and ask "what size balls does my son need"....answers on a postcard. At this level 4 year old to 16 the only thing I asked them to bring to practice was a 'smile'.....all the other stuff we would work as as go along. Sure with age I have forgotten most of the past but love the game.....
To add to a previous post at Ryhope we played Sunderland Reserves with Mick Buckley playing in midfield for them as he was returning from injury. I remember in that game the ball coming out the heavens with snow on it. All I was thinking was how the hell was I going to control this....not even thinking about where I was going to put it after that. Similar thing had happened with Mick Buckley but he knew already where he was going to pass it too....couldn't get near him. They were two steps ahead of the game.....great to watch and experience.
A weird memory this one. I must have been 14 or so at a guess. Me and a lad from our local side went on a football coaching holiday one summer. Nothing from a pro club, but the company were going to select 20 or so lads for a trip to Brazil to play. Man I loved Brazil. It must have been mid 80s, maybe 85/86. Anyway, should have been at oxford uni, but that got pulled so was in great yarmouth. We got bussed down and ended up 4 to a caravan on the seafront. Me and my mate sharing with 2 london lads. First thing they said is there is a murderer loose on this caravan park! They both had taken the biggest kitchen knives for under their pillow. I ended up without a bed so was on that table / bed thing right next to the bloody door. Turns out their had been a young lass murdered from this caravan park that year so I was a tad nervous. First night, one of the coaches bangs on the door and I near jumped out the window. Just a security check he says. Barely slept all week and played garbage. No brazil for me.
I was garbage. Didn't know anyone who played lower league Sunday league but wanted to play, so started my own team. Turned out to be player manager at 24 as we didn't have anyone to manage the side. Fast forward 22 years, team is still going and we have an occasional vets team. Not played in 5 years, and playing for the vets next month! It's going to hurt....
Great thread... My own story. School team, Sunderland Boys and County team. Decent right winger. got trials with coventry, Forest an Leeds - not good enough ie me not them, and went to Uni. Played there, played for the Army, then sacked it - I would also love to go back to the days when it was the most exciting 90 minutes of the week
Didn't do half of what people on here have done, played for the school B team 12-13 and then first team 14-16. Right winger, occasionally shunted to right back, wasn't very good really just quite small, wiry and quick over 10 yards, had a decent cross on me and that was about it, won a lot of free kicks and got sympathy from refs due to size difference. Probably weighed 6 stone aged 15, sometimes half the weight of the fullback unironically. Trialed for York and then Darlington aged 15 along with 3 other lads from the same school, none of us were picked up. Played some sunday league with mates but never more than a few games here and there, wasn't interested nor good enough after I grew a blokes body.
