You'll never make a footballer, boy!

[MadAmster]

One trick Pony as a lad. Aged 14, Burton and District for Bass for 2 seasons. Half the time in the 2nd in Div 5, half the time in the 1sts in Div 1. Stuck out on the right wing, well quicker than the oppo left back who, inevitably kicked me up in the air, I'd hit the floor and get up, smile and ask if that was the best he'd got. Brilliant wind up but it also ensured I got another next time I tried to go past. That led to the same smile and the same reply. I was quick and could cross, that was it. After 2 years I realised I didn't have anything else to my game so started getting to the BBG more often...

In later years in the Sunday league and then over here, I turned into a decent defender for the level we were playing and, via circumstances, started keeping and turned out to be good at it.

If I'd started keeping at an earlier age.... I still wouldn't have made it as a professional.

[macstheman]

Don't believe that for a second, always had you down as a dribbler

Especially after 8 pints of the peddy

Truth be told though I did Captain both the school cricket and footie teams at Junior and Senior School but a shattered knee brought that to a swift conclusion. Bloody thing still gives me some gip!

[macstheman]

Hence the golf!

I didn't start to play golf until my late twenties when, after a bit of a session on the ale one Sunday, a few of us played pitch and putt at Markeaton and I was somewhat irritated because the damn ball would'nt get off the grass when I tried to whack it. From there a couple of us started to play Sinfin and Allestree and I got the bug. I eventually joined Mickleover GC and played seriously for about 20 years before my knee and a significant back injury brought that to an end. I haven't been on a golf course for more than 20 years but I thoroughly enjoyed the game. For those interested when I finished I played off 4 handicap.

[ramAnag]

Especially after 8 pints of the peddy

Truth be told though I did Captain both the school cricket and footie teams at Junior and Senior School but a shattered knee brought that to a swift conclusion. Bloody thing still gives me some gip!

‘Shattered knee cap.’ Ouch! Most of us have to accept that we’re just not good enough to play beyond junior club level at best and there’s nothing wrong with that…but when serious injury is the obstacle then that’s genuinely sad. Sports injury, car crash or private?

[macstheman]

Did the meniscus when I was only 14 playing for the school 1st team, year later did the same knee when a big lump fell on me playing rugby, again for the school. Ligament damage which left me with a limp that I still have.
Eventually gave up on footie but carried on with cricket, which was my favourite game, for a few years but gave up on that in my early twenties when running between the wickets was an issue - no quick singles for me!
Did a couple of discs in my back years later when I slipped on the stairs (sober), couldn't play golf for a year. After a couple of years playing again decided the back didn't like it and packed in!
I'm just a clumsy bugger!

[ramAnag]

Did the meniscus when I was only 14 playing for the school 1st team, year later did the same knee when a big lump fell on me playing rugby, again for the school. Ligament damage which left me with a limp that I still have.
Eventually gave up on footie but carried on with cricket, which was my favourite game, for a few years but gave up on that in my early twenties when running between the wickets was an issue - no quick singles for me!
Did a couple of discs in my back years later when I slipped on the stairs (sober), couldn't play golf for a year. After a couple of years playing again decided the back didn't like it and packed in!
I'm just a clumsy bugger!

Just unlucky more like. Fine line between success and failure sometimes. Sounds like you could have gone on to great things.
Must be very frustrating.

[macstheman]

Just unlucky more like. Fine line between success and failure sometimes. Sounds like you could have gone on to great things.
Must be very frustrating.

No way, I played with a couple of lads who were really good at footie, one was on Sheff Wed's books for a while and then Burton Albion and finished up in the Midland League. Now he was good. Centre forward, had pace, good on the ball and scored goals. The other was on Forest's books for a while, centre half with a thundering tackle. Two busted legs finished him though he played locally into his late thirties then joined me on the golf course.
A third mate played locally, right back who took no prisoners. As soon as the winger came near him 'bang' and down he went. Toughest, meanest player I knew but off the pitch as nice a bloke as you could meet but boy, was he good in a fight!
I played a couple of times for Derbyshire Colts, 2nd wicket down, offie and occasional medium pacer, then local cricket before calling it a day. However, I was crap in the field, wherever I was it just bored me standing there, I only wanted to bat or bowl lol.
I was good at most sports (except running) but not exceptional at any. Golf more than made up for quitting footie and cricket.