Getting Older...Playing Football

[Yelkcub]

Made a lump through the shinnies too! I thought that to be honest, that seeing as I've never had a real injury (expect my ankle ligaments in town when I fell over), I just wasn't used to getting a knock. Cheers anyway, I'll get stuck in for you

That's the spirit mate. Dominate!

 

[big eejit]

I played twice a week for years - since I was a kid. Hung up my boots for a few years in my early 30s but started playing 5 a-side again about 8 years ago. I'm mid 40s now and still play 5 or 8 a side once or twice a week. I love it. More than ever.

A bloke I play with in his mid 50s says that once you give up you become old - you get flabby and floppy, not used to being knocked over and bouncing up off the floor. And he's right. Football keeps you young. Keep playing or wither into your armchair.

 

[TruXta]

Fuck yeah! It's like Geriatrics FC in here, and I'm loving it. TBF I'm only 35 myself, but I've been lucky and never sustained any major injuries despite a lifetime in defense.

The day you think fuck it, I'm too old for this is the day you might as well start pissing yourself. Some of the guys I play with are approaching 50 and they're slow as fuck, playing young whippersnappers, but they're still in there every Thursday getting skint and loving it. Not only do they get the chance to mix with people half their age, but vice versa too.

I had the same thing too a degree when I was around 25, loads of siblings of mates were growing up and they absolutely loved kicking the shit out of us. They'd grown up watching us play, thinking we were good, and then they grow up and turn out twice as good, and how sweet is that? Nothing like killing heros.

 

[AverageJoe]

I'm 40 and play 2 or 3 hours a week at 5 a side. I got diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in my feet and ankles and apparently have a lot of bone spurs in the bones in my feet (from breaking the bones in your feet and then them healing a little bit wonky, so some of my feet bones look like twiglets.

When its damp my feet can hurt real bad but I just pop some painkillers and a couple of diclofenac and then I am good to go in about 24 hours

 

[silverfish]

Muscle bulk and strength around the joints helps protect all your connective tissue. You have to be fitter than before, pre season you should be getting up to strength

Fittter you are longer you can play...but it takes more prep every year

 

[gaijingirl]

gaijinboy plays 2x a week 5aside and is 35. Was just talking to him and he reckons you should just switch to 5 aside on a smooth surface (as opposed to grass) - he says there'll be less chance of injury as there are less slide tackles etc - therefore less contact - you get more time on the ball and get to score more goals. (quoting him here).. it is a different game but there are pluses as well as minues. (Gaijinboy also used to play 11 aside). He said you can play people of a really good level - people who played professionally but have now retired and switched to 5 aside.

He is pretty fit though.. cycles 20 miles a day (and not on the flat either).

He has a thread in the Brixton forum for one of the groups he organises on Friday evenings (although I don't suppose you're that local).

 

[Yelkcub]

90 mins centre midfield yesterday, 4-3 win in a top of the table clash. Over 35s cup final today, box-to-box for 90 mins needed again. Wish me luck!

 

[Yelkcub]

Grr...cup final lost to a goal which their striker punched into the net. Linesman didn't see it despite being bang in line with him.

 

[mancboy]

I wish I'd carried on playing after I crushed my right big toe a few years ago. I was going to clear a ball and misjudged how fast the striker was coming at me. It was a proper crushing, not just a break, and it fucked me up for ages. I tried a few games after it had healed but found myself mentally pulling out of tackles (kind of a weakness in a central defender) and was so pissed off with myself I just stopped.

Having discovered this thread, I might try to ease myself back into a mate's twice weekly games cos I really fucking miss it!

 

[invisibleplanet]

I've played a lot of football, ever since I was kid. I'm 35 in July and I've spent most of this season injured with cartilage and ligament damage. I used to play centre midfield in our club's 1st XI but I dropped down to the 2nd XI last season.

My question is this? When do you give up? Having not played all season, I played for our 6th XI yesterday and if, as I get older, that's the standard of football I can look forward to, it will depress the hell out of me. I love playing football, I love coming up against someone on a pitch who wants to win as much as I do.

What will I do on Saturday afternoon in five years time?

Coach and encourage the young'uns into the game.

My Dad's cousin used to play alot of football but his performance tailed off after the age of 31/32 and definitely wasn't the same by the time he was 35. He gave up 11-a-side games for good when he was 39. He just plays 5-a-side these days ... He's 49 now. His peak was really at around age 22-26.

35 seems a good time to slow the commitment and channel your love of football into other avenues, such as coaching and 5-a-sides, especially if you're getting injured all the time. How many goals have you scored recently?

 

[Yelkcub]

Grr! Fractured a bone in my foot at training last night. Out for a few weeks.

 

[Yelkcub]

Grr! Fractured a bone in my foot at training last night. Out for a few weeks.

Hurrah, trained last night without problem. Did take a diclofenac, but no pain this morning, so that's got to have worn off and I must be healed, right?

 

[Yelkcub]

IHaving discovered this thread, I might try to ease myself back into a mate's twice weekly games cos I really fucking miss it!

Did you get involved again?

I scored in our 6-1 win yesterday. Got booked for a textbook tackle too tho'

 

[Yelkcub]

I predict that in 5 years time, you'll probably be playing, coaching or cheering - but you will definitely be doing football.

4 years later and I'm raring to go for the start of our season proper. Played for a mate's Sunday side yesterday a felt fit as a fiddle. Amazing the effect of being virtually teetotal is!

 

[Lord Camomile]

Just turned 29 but having not taken care of myself I'm pretty fucked

I've had a hamstring problem since last October, a weak left ankle and now both my knees hurt whenever I bend them for any length of time. Of course, I've not been to see the doctor about any of these, so I know it's all my own fault.

Saying that, having to face up to the fact I'm in danger of wrecking my chances of playing into my 30s means I can appreciate to a certain degree how good it must feel to be playing again and looking forward to the new season Just make sure you keep up regular ice baths

 

[Yelkcub]

Liked for the last bit, not your woes.

 

[Batboy]

Sorry to hear about the injuries and the football dilemma

How about going in to coaching?

I'm 53 and I coach and manage a kids football team in Hackney, it is a challenge but rewarding to watch kids develop at football and I only wish I had done this younger. If you are close to Hackney and interested in getting involved let me know.

This is new club with a unique set up and we could do with more help!

 

[Yelkcub]

Sorry to hear about the injuries and the football dilemma

How about going in to coaching?

I'm 53 and I coach and manage a kids football team in Hackney, it is a challenge but rewarding to watch kids develop at football and I only wish I had done this younger. If you are close to Hackney and interested in getting involved let me know.

This is new club with a unique set up and we could do with more help!

Didn't see this before. Bit far from me, but I plan on getting involved when my son starts playing.

Everything hurts today. Lost a Vets cup final 2-0 yesterday and I feel like I've had the shit kicked out of me!

 

[Batboy]

Didn't see this before. Bit far from me, but I plan on getting involved when my son starts playing.

Everything hurts today. Lost a Vets cup final 2-0 yesterday and I feel like I've had the shit kicked out of me!

On Sunday I took three of my u14 to play match for the adults team.

It was a very competitive match one of our players was 52, he plays every week and he did really well, that might give you some hope! most of the players are in their 20s.

I was chuffed at the performance of the three youngsters, one of who was man of the match with an impeccable performance at centre back. I'm really going to push him this season to the scouts, because he is a very solid confident player.

 

[Yelkcub]

Have to say, I'm very pleased to report I feel fit as a fiddle today, so the pain that I feared would be worse on matchday +2 hasn't materialised and there's no lasting damage. Phew!

 

[Spod]

Football is dreadful on the body due to all the twisting on the knees, changes in direction at speed not to mention getting clattered. Im convinced professional footballers (for all the money spent on their fitness and value as assets) usually retire around 35 is because of the wear and tear on the joints rather than cardio-vascular fitness decline.