Sunday League Dreams (thread for those still playing football)

harr1984 said:

Yeah love it, should play until you're unfit to IMO if you like playing.

Ten years ago my Brentwood Sunday League team won a competition sponsored by Nivea. This meant a seasons coaching with two FA coaches and a few sessions with Ray Wilkins, Clemence and Terry Venables.

We then played a game against an 'England legends' team, the likes of Parlour, Winterburn, Rob Lee etc at Dagenham and Redbridge stadium - was so cool. We won 2-1 and I scored with Ian Walker in goal Kind of disappointed he didn't put in a word for me at Spurs but there we go....

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What an amazing soccer moment in his life—and what an incredible story to share at a pub or during family get-togethers! Scoring the winning goal (or just any goal) against Ian Walker himself—and beating a team of England national team legends featuring Parlour and Lee—is a feat that not every pro can boast of, let alone someone playing in a Sunday league.

Gutter Boy said:

I actually did similiar. Missed a lot of my early 20s through injuries. But theb definitely better in late 30s than was in late 20s

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Yep, didn’t play much at all from 18 thru to mid-30s. Starting playing competitively and was definitely the best I’ve ever been.

Was playing every week with and against guys who played at the college level (in the US) and a few ex-pros, and was more than holding my own.

Haven’t played for the past eight years since having kids but ready to find a local over 35/40s game and start up again.

Also played in the seminal Spurs vs Arsenal “right to the pub” game with THFCSteff which we won 8-1. Haven’t seen any of those scum in “our” SF pub since

I hate the fudging gym.

Ace Face said:

Yep, didn’t play much at all from 18 thru to mid-30s. Starting playing competitively and was definitely the best I’ve ever been.

Was playing every week with and against guys who played at the college level (in the US) and a few ex-pros, and was more than holding my own.

Haven’t played for the past eight years since having kids but ready to find a local over 35/40s game and start up again.

Also played in the seminal Spurs vs Arsenal “right to the pub” game with THFCSteff which we won 8-1. Haven’t seen any of those scum in “our” SF pub since

I hate the fudging gym.

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It's great that you're getting back into the game after a break—your muscle memory and soccer smarts are still there, so you'll be back in shape in no time.

I play in an over 35s league on Tuesday nights. Every team has always had the odd ringer that’s under 35. Legaue does not police it too hard. Last 2 seasons teams have started brining really young players though. Tonight there was a 23 year old playing. I actually knew the kid and told him I’d be embarrassed to play in an over 35 Legaue when I was in my 20’s. Turns out they are paying him as well. We still won though

Stopped playing football at 16 due to an almighty row with a school coach/teacher at a game. Worst decision I ever made.

Played some 5 a side and similar in the intervening years but 3-4 years ago I almost accidentally ended up playing over 35s. Was on the back of my divorce and I have to say, it was the best thing I've ever done. Fantastic bunch of lads, great to be part of a team and brilliant to always have something to look forward to in terms of training and games. Yeah, the standard isn't the Premier League and we're all hanging on for dear life knowing at worst we're an injury away from never playing again or at best a few more years.

While it doesn't make up for the years I missed, it's been absolutely brilliant being unexpectedly part of a dressing room again. Good for the head and the body. Would recommend it to anyone who can.

Only play 5 to 8 a side now. Knee fcuked, ankle fcuked. Best lesson I coach to the youngsters - be respectful but skillful and you will get less of the career enders.

How many finding the younger players don't seem to understand football anymore? Head down, take players on, and get nowhere, or play the through ball that wasn't there. Defenders are just shocking now.

parj said:

Only play 5 to 8 a side now. Knee fcuked, ankle fcuked. Best lesson I coach to the youngsters - be respectful but skillful and you will get less of the career enders.

How many finding the younger players don't seem to understand football anymore? Head down, take players on, and get nowhere, or play the through ball that wasn't there. Defenders are just shocking now.

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It could be a different conversation on its own but my experience is that they are being overcoached a bit. Individualism is disappearing because kids are encouraged to not lose the ball at all costs.

To make an extreme statement to illustrate the point, I often wonder if it's worth missing out on your next Gascoigne or Dembele to have 5 clones of Declan Rice or Harry Winks.