When the end comes...

[DavidPayne]

...you know the old truisms goes "the boxer is the first to know and the last to admit it" or "the fighter is always the last to know".

It must be hard for fighters, or any pro sportsman, to get to the end and realise the sunshine has gone.

I've just been told, for the first time in 13 years of Saturday league football, that I'm not required this weekend.

And I am absolutely gutted. You know its coming at some point, you know you're not the player you were 5 years ago...but still.

It must be more stark for pro-fighters, I'll learn a little more grace for those that just keep trying.

I suddenly feel 10 years older than I did this morning. I first tried to retire two and half years ago, it lasted 18 months, I should have stuck to it.

On my own terms and feeling like I still could do it if I wanted to.

So keep fighting Danny Williams if thats what makes you happy.
Ah middle-aged, I welcome you.

[liamlion]

I know what you mean mate. But there's no shame in being 'retired' from the footy and taking your health (intact) with you - even if someone else has effectively packed it in for you.

Im 27yrs old and finished with the footy after two real nasty cruciate injuries. I havent played footy in 3 years - took some getting used to i can tell ya. The gutting thing was I couldnt even play even if i really wanted too... least youve got your health. Ive got knees like an old war veteran

[stujones]

And then my Uncle chose to retire from 1st Division Pembrokeshire league football at 50 (was still in the first team). Like with boxers, you must adapt David. Become a Jan Molby esque passer.

[DavidPayne]

Jan Molby.....thats the trouble mate. I've always been about the fire and brimstone, not the craft and guile.

I'll be back to the boxing gym in earnest now.

[ArtOfWar]

Your s**t and you know you are.....

[DavidPayne]

Yep:-)

But I'm hard-working shit. Sorry scrub that, I'm old hard-working shit.

[Walker Smith Jr.]

I know what you mean mate. But there's no shame in being 'retired' from the footy and taking your health (intact) with you - even if someone else has effectively packed it in for you.

Im 27yrs old and finished with the footy after two real nasty cruciate injuries. I havent played footy in 3 years - took some getting used to i can tell ya. The gutting thing was I couldnt even play even if i really wanted too... least youve got your health. Ive got knees like an old war veteran

Cruciate injury did for me at 19 i've had surgery but didn't work out. Still cant watch my mates on a saturday afternoon playing and i'm 33 now. Heartbreaking

[Old bones Ian]

6 knee ops, first injured my knee when i was 16, since then in total i've spent over 2 years of my life on crutches.

only ever played very badly and ran with a wobble, kept trying to go back and knee got worse.

now at age 38 i've actually got my knee in not bad condition, I can run well and even kick a ball straight, i'll never play well, as i wasn't any good to start with, but had a few games this year as sub, and was payed the great complement by a young player , he said "Christ what happened to you, you used to run like a gimp'

I soon launched into a clash with him and said ' i can tackle as well'

[CheckHook]

...you know the old truisms goes "the boxer is the first to know and the last to admit it" or "the fighter is always the last to know".

It must be hard for fighters, or any pro sportsman, to get to the end and realise the sunshine has gone.

I've just been told, for the first time in 13 years of Saturday league football, that I'm not required this weekend.

And I am absolutely gutted. You know its coming at some point, you know you're not the player you were 5 years ago...but still.

It must be more stark for pro-fighters, I'll learn a little more grace for those that just keep trying.

I suddenly feel 10 years older than I did this morning. I first tried to retire two and half years ago, it lasted 18 months, I should have stuck to it.

On my own terms and feeling like I still could do it if I wanted to.

So keep fighting Danny Williams if thats what makes you happy.
Ah middle-aged, I welcome you.

You could always take up Bowls.

[DavidPayne]

...I mean this genuinely, I would rather skip straight to bowls and miss out golf.

[Old bones Ian]

...I mean this genuinely, I would rather skip straight to bowls and miss out golf.

At least with bowls you can have the beer next to you.

[rhino222]

well..i played mens football from 14 to 40... various injuries and dislocations..luckily no 'long bone' injuries.

gave it up at 40, still get the urge but the extra 2 stone kind of prevents me rising like a salmon and heading the corner home !!

im still cricketing... !!

[DavidPayne]

Well I've managed 36 Rhino. Back to the boxing gym now, the missus will be chuffed she gets Saturday's back. So you have to look for the positives.

I might get to the odd show as well.

Heck, what next....oh yes til bubba number 3 arrives in April.....all bets will be off again then!!!

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

Dave - you need to get (or buy) a greatest hits CD by the boss and turn it up loud and that will make
you feel better... 1, 2, 3 ... Take it away Brucie..


Glory Days (Springsteen)

I had a friend was a big baseball player back in high school
He could throw that speedball by ya, make you look like a fool
Saw him the other night at this roadside bar i was walking in he was walking out
We went back inside, sat down, had a few drinks, but all we kept talking about

Glory days, yeah they'll pass you by
Glory days, in the wink of a young girl's eye
Glory days, glory days

There's this girl that lives up the block, back in school she could turn all the boys heads
Sometimes on friday i'll stop by and have a few drinks after she put her kids to bed
Her and her husband bobby, well they split up, i guess it's two years gone by
We just sit around talking about the old times, she says when she feels like crying she starts laughing thinking about

Glory days...

Think i'm going down to the well tonight and i'm gonna drink till i get my fill
I hope when i get older i don't sit around thinking about it, but i probably will
Yeah just sitting back trying to recapture a little of the glory of
Well the time slips away and leaves you with nothing, mister, but boring stories of

Glory days...

All right boys keep it rocking now
We gonna go home now
Let's go!

[DavidPayne]

Certainly listening to I am Free from Gladiator aint helping!!!!

Thanks for the tip, I my take my sorry ass to the gym tonight.

DP

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

Certainly listening to I am Free from Gladiator aint helping!!!!

Thanks for the tip, I my take my sorry ass to the gym tonight.

DP

Noooooooooooooooo - Glory Days is THE SONG about that fleeting moment of youthful sporting glory - we all have it and you know - its enough! There has been many a saturday in the East Cambridgeshire football league where you felt like Stuart Pearce I bet?

I get up every morning to plantar fascictis - it is a bitch! Age creeps up on us all wherever we like it or not - enjoy the memories - hitting the bag will bring you new solace.

[jamesmcdonnell]

I'm feeling it myself these days. Turned 30 this year and I feel knackered most mornings. This week has totally ruined me. Over in Notts on Sat and Sun then transcribing and typing ints this week (between working extra hours in this place) before this weekend's shows. Bolton on Fri and Sheffield on Sat. I'll be happy once I get to them but my body and mind are feeling it a little bit. Throw in having to work Saturday day and you have one very tired, but happy, bunny.

I was stoked when this bumped Oct was announced but I'll almost be throwing my hat into the air at the end of next week's show in Liverpool, as it means I'll get a week off, or maybe not, haven't checked the schedules yet. Prior to the show I've got more ints to do and other bits-and-pieces.

It will all be worth it though.

Wait until you're 38 mate, I feel done in a lot of the time. I used to do exactly what you're doing, day job, write for boxing websites, and I even worked on a mag for a bit at the same time - don't know if I can find that energy again, though I'm going to have a go.

[Old bones Ian]

38 is the new 28 James!!

i'm working 2 jobs, so have some 14hr days now.
Have to cycle to work 13 miles round trip and try and go running a couple of times a week, plus the odd football game.

actually i am knackered most of the time, bugger

[J]

ive come out of rugby retirement one last go..debut sat....probs gonna hurt muchos.

gotta get it out the system.

congrats on the third nipper mate.

[DavidPayne]

ive come out of rugby retirement one last go..debut sat....probs gonna hurt muchos.

gotta get it out the system.

congrats on the third nipper mate. :TU:

Still something in the basement? Its a dodgy bharji mate.

Thanks.

[J]

guess ill find out on sat...ill look good though just sept 200 quid on kit...

[Bard of Boxrec]

christ on a bike, im 25 and constantly knackered. i stopped being able to stay out till 3am aged 22 or so, is this normal?

[J]

no offence riddick i never had you down as 25 ..40 odd maybe...

[Scrap]

Well Im 66 next, Im up every morning Punching the Bag about.Then She gets up and makes the Tea

[J]