RICH IS LAPPING UP THE DUBAI DREAM!

FROM the West Midlands to Palm West Beach - Richard Peniket isn't a man who does things by halves.

- Jon Couch

A Wales Under-21 international, he enjoyed a decent playing career as a striker in the lower leagues, turning out for a host of Non-League clubs, until injury curtailed his career shortly before the world went into a Covid lockdown.

Peniket decided it was time for a new start so, with partner Holly in tow, he jetted off to Dubai to take up a coaching opportunity which was to change his life forever.

Now, five years on, the 32-year-old is managing a top-flight club in The City of Gold — and preparing to lock horns with the likes of Italian superstar Andrea Pirlo!

"It was while I was at Kidderminster, I was really struggling with my body," the former Tamworth, FC Halifax Town, Gateshead and Alfreton striker told The NLP.

"Training every day, I kept picking up injuries and it just felt like I was shutting down.

"I'd always felt like I wanted to do something abroad, it was Covid, the football had stopped and there was nothing to do. But then an opportunity presented itself in Dubai.

"The missus fancied the move as well so I stepped away from football, she left her job and we took the risk. We haven't looked back since."

As Covid wore off and the couple acclimatised, a fit-again Peniket dusted down his playing boots and it wasn't long before he caught the eye.

"One game, I came up against Steven Taylor, the former Newcastle and England defender who was manager of Gulf United, the club I am at now," he continued.