Playing the game?
Discussion
I know this is predominantly a car enthusiast’s site and an industry I work in, generally most chaps I come across hate Football so I rarely get to chat about the “beautiful” game whilst in my occupation. I also appreciate this section is more to do with the professional side of football.
I support Chelsea and also have a soft spot for Crystal Palace, but playing the game is what I really enjoy, I love it. Even at the age 44 I’m still playing 2-3 times a week, I wondered how many of you pistonheaders actually played.
I support Chelsea and also have a soft spot for Crystal Palace, but playing the game is what I really enjoy, I love it. Even at the age 44 I’m still playing 2-3 times a week, I wondered how many of you pistonheaders actually played.
I've been playing on a Saturday for the past couple of months after a few years from not touching a football.
Only in Samba goals which we put £200 together to buy them.
Fitness has increased dramatically and I love it. Great laugh too.
When I get fit enough I'm going to start trainin with a Sunday league team hopefully and try and start playing 11 a side.
What kind of player are you?
Only in Samba goals which we put £200 together to buy them.
Fitness has increased dramatically and I love it. Great laugh too.
When I get fit enough I'm going to start trainin with a Sunday league team hopefully and try and start playing 11 a side.
What kind of player are you?
Hi Craig,
I’ve played nonstop since the age of 8 or 9? Had a break here and there as I grew up due to my eyes being caught by a pretty face or two
Play either left or right back or centre back, sometimes in a holding midfield position for Espom & Ewell Vets, and play 5 aside on a Tuesday nights plus some Sundays for a Mitcham team. Had a spell when I was younger with Salfords and have played for numerous Sunday and Saturday teams over the years…..whilst my legs will support me I’ll keep going
I’ve played nonstop since the age of 8 or 9? Had a break here and there as I grew up due to my eyes being caught by a pretty face or two
Play either left or right back or centre back, sometimes in a holding midfield position for Espom & Ewell Vets, and play 5 aside on a Tuesday nights plus some Sundays for a Mitcham team. Had a spell when I was younger with Salfords and have played for numerous Sunday and Saturday teams over the years…..whilst my legs will support me I’ll keep going
I played for Colliers Wood on their YTS but took a massive break after a huge injury effectively ended my chances of playing near Ryman level. Now playing Sunday league in the South London leagues and might be making a comeback at Combined Counties level next season if I get through this season without any major flare ups and I think I can handle it.
I play anywhere on the left, usually left wing.
I play anywhere on the left, usually left wing.
I used to play sunday league Hackney & Leyton for various teams and Juventus of Enfield for a while. I stopped when I was 23 as I got fat and lazy but at the age of 33 I have been going gym, lost weight, had a few kick abouts and I'm hoping to start playing again.
Its amazing how quickly you get your touch back, I've been doing s
t loads of kick ups. I play in the middle as my passing and first touch are my key attributes, think of me as a sort of podgy Modric 
Its amazing how quickly you get your touch back, I've been doing s
t loads of kick ups. I play in the middle as my passing and first touch are my key attributes, think of me as a sort of podgy Modric Langdon Hills U11 though to U14 - rep side inc South Essex Boys U14. Then got some trial for Essex Boys - Gants Hill I seem to remember - played upfront against some black lad defender who was about a foot taller - never got a kick the whole game. Career over
Played U16 for one season - enjoyed it but then started playing cricket and have only played two games since in over 30 years - one about a dozen years ago at Parsons Drove in the Fens - no cover at all - windy as fk - one goal kik went back for a corner. Went on an overlap at right back in the fist tne minutes in borrowed boots - too small - didn't get the ball and didn't bother again the whole match.
Lads v dads was the other one - son is now 21 but this was when he was about 14 or so - we beat them 6-2
Thing is by U16's they were beating us 6-2.
Played U16 for one season - enjoyed it but then started playing cricket and have only played two games since in over 30 years - one about a dozen years ago at Parsons Drove in the Fens - no cover at all - windy as f
k - one goal kik went back for a corner. Went on an overlap at right back in the fist tne minutes in borrowed boots - too small - didn't get the ball and didn't bother again the whole match.Lads v dads was the other one - son is now 21 but this was when he was about 14 or so - we beat them 6-2
Thing is by U16's they were beating us 6-2.
BrabusMog said:
........playing near Ryman level. Now playing Sunday league in the South London leagues and might be making a comeback at Combined Counties level next season if I get through this season without any major flare ups and I think I can handle it.
Could you have been a professional player, and if not, why not?I have been fascinated by this for a while.
Look at professional players up and down the country and the standard is highly variable - some are quick, some are really slow, some can't head the ball, or control it, tackle or play defence-splitting passes, and yet they have made the professional grade.
What kind of improvement would you have to make to get to the upper reaches of the game?
Audi 525i said:
Could you have been a professional player, and if not, why not?
I have been fascinated by this for a while.
Look at professional players up and down the country and the standard is highly variable - some are quick, some are really slow, some can't head the ball, or control it, tackle or play defence-splitting passes, and yet they have made the professional grade.
What kind of improvement would you have to make to get to the upper reaches of the game?
Facinates me too, my mate was in the same class as Ashley Cole at school and he reckons he was at best average in the school team.I have been fascinated by this for a while.
Look at professional players up and down the country and the standard is highly variable - some are quick, some are really slow, some can't head the ball, or control it, tackle or play defence-splitting passes, and yet they have made the professional grade.
What kind of improvement would you have to make to get to the upper reaches of the game?
I think scouts look more for strenght stamina speed etc than passing or control. I bet there are loads of amature players in their late 20s early 30s that are just as good as some pro's. Its just too late for them to step up.
Personally I think it differs on position.
You stand out in CM if you run each and every game you play in, even when the opposition players are stronger in every other position, same if you're CB.
If you are RB/LB you need to be breaking down every attack that comes down your flank, travel with the ball and then distribute it well every time.
If you're a winger you need to be not losing the ball and constantly creating chances.
If you're a striker you need to be finishing any clear cut chance and create chances out of barely anything.
That's just my very basic thoughts on it. I had the pace and a good chunk of skill but my problem as a winger was I didn't consistently put the ball in the box, I'd quite often try go one defender too many being too flash. I also liked booze and girls so once I knew I was out for a year I thought I'd just live a normal teenage/early twenties life. Not that I'd ever have been a pro standard, Ryman would have been my upper limit.
You stand out in CM if you run each and every game you play in, even when the opposition players are stronger in every other position, same if you're CB.
If you are RB/LB you need to be breaking down every attack that comes down your flank, travel with the ball and then distribute it well every time.
If you're a winger you need to be not losing the ball and constantly creating chances.
If you're a striker you need to be finishing any clear cut chance and create chances out of barely anything.
That's just my very basic thoughts on it. I had the pace and a good chunk of skill but my problem as a winger was I didn't consistently put the ball in the box, I'd quite often try go one defender too many being too flash. I also liked booze and girls so once I knew I was out for a year I thought I'd just live a normal teenage/early twenties life. Not that I'd ever have been a pro standard, Ryman would have been my upper limit.
Nice thread!
I'm now 40 and only play 5 a side, as well as coaching my Boy's Team.
I peaked too soon really
Played for County and Junior football then got picked up by a few league clubs. I had an England schoolboy trial but didn't have my best game, unfortunately. My Uncle almost made it at Sheff Wed but got let go at 18 with no "plan B" so my folks never pushed me into it at all.
Consequently when we moved down South and exams, girls and booze came along I took it less seriously. Still trained with Oxford United but whilst at Uni I had a bad injury (came off a bike) which knocked me back for about two years. I wish I'd played more Semi- pro stuff at least after that but work, marriage, kids came along. Must be the turning 40 thing but I've been thinking "what if" more and more recently. My touch is still there and, dodgy hamstrings and ankle ligaments aside, I still love playing!
Some of the lads I played with and against who made it, and those that didn't, really surprised me. There were some outstanding talents in and around the Teams I played for and against at the time (Shearer, Lee Clark were either side of my age group) but others who were fairly average also made it. Some of it is luck (with injuries etc) and for some it seemed to be a combination of determination and pushy parents!
I'm now 40 and only play 5 a side, as well as coaching my Boy's Team.
I peaked too soon really
Played for County and Junior football then got picked up by a few league clubs. I had an England schoolboy trial but didn't have my best game, unfortunately. My Uncle almost made it at Sheff Wed but got let go at 18 with no "plan B" so my folks never pushed me into it at all.Consequently when we moved down South and exams, girls and booze came along I took it less seriously. Still trained with Oxford United but whilst at Uni I had a bad injury (came off a bike) which knocked me back for about two years. I wish I'd played more Semi- pro stuff at least after that but work, marriage, kids came along. Must be the turning 40 thing but I've been thinking "what if" more and more recently. My touch is still there and, dodgy hamstrings and ankle ligaments aside, I still love playing!
Some of the lads I played with and against who made it, and those that didn't, really surprised me. There were some outstanding talents in and around the Teams I played for and against at the time (Shearer, Lee Clark were either side of my age group) but others who were fairly average also made it. Some of it is luck (with injuries etc) and for some it seemed to be a combination of determination and pushy parents!
Mate of mine was in the same team as Jason Dozell at school and local football - he was head and shoulders above the others - not as much as Rooney was maybe (U14 in an U18 team wasn't he?) - but getting on that way. Had so much time on the ball with a decent touch and fit as they come. Spotted early on and made it as a pro.
I once played an U13 game when I was U12 and was so much out of my depth (plus I was played out of position which didn't help) that I went back to U12s the next game!
U16 game once there were rumours our left back had a scout from Swindon watching him - he had a ste game (nerves) and never heard any more ... what if etc.
I once played an U13 game when I was U12 and was so much out of my depth (plus I was played out of position which didn't help) that I went back to U12s the next game!
U16 game once there were rumours our left back had a scout from Swindon watching him - he had a s
te game (nerves) and never heard any more ... what if etc.A lad I used to play football with and was in the same class in school with plays upfront for Sheffield United. He played for Man City as a kid and got sold at about 18.
He was better than everyone. You can just tell when somebody is going to make it but they've got to have the attitude aswell. There was another lad who could have made it to, he played for Chester for a while but don't think he wanted it that much.
Would be amazing to be a pro footy player, even a semi pro.
Imagine getting paid to do something that you love and enjoy.
He was better than everyone. You can just tell when somebody is going to make it but they've got to have the attitude aswell. There was another lad who could have made it to, he played for Chester for a while but don't think he wanted it that much.
Would be amazing to be a pro footy player, even a semi pro.
Imagine getting paid to do something that you love and enjoy.
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