Love of game kept me going

HE CHANGED clubs 51 times over 28 years, made over 900 career appearances and scored 257 goals.

- JON COUCH

But Jefferson Louis can pinpoint the exact moment he knew it was time to hang up his golden boots.

"It was during a game last season for Thame when we had a penalty," the 46-year-old recalls.

"My teammate had missed a penalty the week before so I picked up the ball and all the boys were encouraging me to take it.

"But instead of placing the ball on the spot, I handed it to the guy who missed last week and let him take it.

"I didn't say anything to anyone but I knew then my time was up.

"It showed me who I am as a person. I wasn't passing on the responsibility I know how it feels to score a goal - but I had lost that feeling for scoring goals.

"When you lose that passion for the game, that's when you know it's time to hang up your boots."

Indeed, those who know Louis will testify that his passion for the game would never normally come into question.

Fulfilling a childhood dream to become a professional, Louis became football's lovable rogue, representing no fewer than 42 different clubs along the way.

"My longevity in football is purely down to my love of the game," he explained.

"Especially in the early stages, it's every young boy's dream to become a professional footballer and I fulfilled that.

Mentoring

"When I left the professional game and went part-time that's when I had to take more care of myself.

"As I got older, I changed my diet, I became a vegan and that helped a lot. I wish I'd have done that in the early stages of my career."