We all yadder on about football on here, but what level have we all played at and what type of player were/are we? I played at a high junior standard with and against future pros but never good enough to have had a whiff of trials myself. Stopped playing 11 a side at 18. I was a tricky winger. Pace was my best asset and I could dig out a cross.
Only ever got to Sunday league level. Was late to grow as a kid so was always way smaller than everyone else which gave me a distinct disadvantage, plus I was pretty rubbish anyway. I was a fairly quick striker in school but then had a double leg break at age 15 which pretty much took all my pace anyway. I then had a mad growth spurt after leaving school and shot to around 6'3 and played throughout uni in goal and played some Sunday league for a local pub side after I moved house as a keeper. But I just was never good enough. If only I was taller when I was younger I could have gone in goal much earlier.
Bang average - played school football and captained the side but nothing special. Played at full back who liked to push up ( probably be called a wing back now) Could put in a decent cross and corner - only scored the one competitive goal. Started a few games at uni but had a really bad knee injury at 19 - didn't play anything competitive after that - odd 5/7 a side
I played one game for the software department at the Mining Research and Development Establishment, Bretby in 1985 against Coal Prep. We lost 2-0 and I scored an own goal. The best thing about it was that it was refereed by Gordon Duggins who played for Barnsley in the 1950s and we had a long chat in the bar afterwards.
Living in a rugby town I played rugby and was pretty decent to have trials with Yorkshire. However, I never loved the game. I loved, and still do love, football. I played 3 Sunday league games as a tiny weeny 16 year old, scored 1 and assisted 3. Box to Box midfielder. Live by the saying of only the ball or the man gets past me, not both. At 26, I should realistically give it a go playing Sunday league properly because I’ve a feeling I’ll regret not doing it when I’m older. Play five a side twice a week now and take every game as if it’s a World Cup final, it’s definitely about winning and not just taking part.
Was a real quick striker at school, midfield on my twenties in pub leagues finished up centre half kicking younger players in my thirties. Now I'm my youngest lads driver to his traning and weekend matches which I must admit is my favourite time.
Played at County Senior level on Saturday at full back and Sunday League division 2 (I think) as a striker until I was about 26 then retired to concentrate on cricket at Yorkshire Council level until I was 40 then packed it all in.
Played in goal for junior and grammar school teams then graduated to Sunday league with Old Town St Paul’s. When I joined the RAF in 1970 I played for the Station teams at most of my postings. It all came to an end with a broken finger in 1994 and I never played above five a side level after that.
In one way, I was an international rugby union player. More accurately, I was a rugby player who managed to play in six countries. For my first real team in London, I turned out mostly for the 3rd Grade. This was largely dictated by the fact that we didn’t have a 4th Grade.
For me it was only ever football in the park, or at home in the garden, or during school Games/PE. Jumpers for goal posts and all that, no Var in those days.
I played for the school in the juniors.. I moved from Donny and in the first practise game scored 7 goals... 6 months later one of the kids said, when you first came we thought you were Bobby Charlton... but you're s**t really.... I've never got over it.
I had a team in the Nelson League when I was 18. We had decent players, but just got kicked up & down for 90 minutes. Locke Athletic, we played on a pitch at Holgate School.. Tony Bower was in it with me, son of former club historian, Arthur Bower, (RIP).
Played for BFC supporters club up front used to play before away fixtures then we played in Sunday leagues finished my playing day’s in over 40s league for a pub called Big Tree in dee dah land
Other than regular games at school and knock abouts in the park I played about 4 amateur games. played Rugby League all my life until too old
Played for the university, which probably sounds grander than it was. In truth I was a bit rubbish. 6'3" jumping 4'2". All the size but none of the balance. Like a bull on roller skates. People saw my size and put me in central defence. Bad idea. I preferred right wing back where at least I could stretch my legs.