Monday, November 25, 2024

FA Cup: Jefferson Louis – football’s ultimate journeyman – going strong at 45

Must read

Ask Jefferson Louis how many clubs he has played for and he takes a pause before declaring: “I lost count years ago.”

Taking a glance down his list of former clubs, it is not hard to understand why he cannot remember.

Thame United (three spells), Lewes, Weymouth (two spells), Gainsborough Trinity, Darlington, Brackley Town (two spells), Whitehawk, Lowestoft Town, Staines, Oxford United, Oxford City, St Albans City…the list goes on and on.

Louis is football’s ultimate journeyman, having changed clubs a remarkable 51 times since making his debut for Buckinghamshire club Risborough Rangers 28 years ago.

And at the age of 45, the striker is showing no sign of slowing down.

On Saturday, Louis is set to embark on his 29th season as a player when Oxfordshire club Thame United, where he is player-coach, play in the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup.

“I’ve played international football, played against my boyhood club Arsenal and I’m still playing at the age of 45,” he says.

Latest article