Stars turn out for goalkeeping legend Rogers' testimonial match

THERE aren’t many footballers that are still going strong at the age of 61 - but goalkeeping legend Alan Rogers is the exception, writes Stephen McCartney.

Rogers is still playing local football, and coachesthe goalkeepers at Ryman Premier League club Tonbridge Angels.

And on Sunday afternoon, kicking off at 2pm, a testimonial match featuring many of his former team mates, opponents and pals, takes place at Longmead Stadium.

An Alan Rogers XI will lock horns with an All Stars XI at Angels’ ground at Darenth Avenue.

Rogers’ has invited the likes of Jason Bourne, Adrian Hatcher and Andy Garrett to play in his side, which includes many players from the past.

The All Stars’ XI, managed by former Tunbridge Wells boss Martin Farnie, is expected to feature former England defender Gary Stevens, current Sittingbourne manager Gary Abbott and players that include Matt Bromby (Erith & Belvedere) and Andy Constable (Sevenoaks Town).

Welling United legend Nigel Ransom will also be in attendance, playing for Farnie's All Stars XI, which will be wearing green and white hooped shirts - Tonbridge Angels' third choice kit.

“Obviously the players I’ve picked are still playing Kent League or veterans football,” Rogers told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“I didn’t want to pick players that I’ve played with over twenty years ago with bellies!”

Steve Gibbons, who assisted Farnie when the pair were together at Tunbridge Wells, was one of many to pay tribute to Rogers.

“I remember when Martin Farnie told me that we were getting a goalkeeper coach at Tunbridge Wells,” Gibbons recalled, when speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“He then said he was in his late 50’s but was still playing regularly. I expected an old guy with outdated training methods who would be here for a while before shuffling off to the bar.

“Wrong! Alan greeted me with his customary warm smile and a handshake and spoke to me like he had known me for years.

“He then proceeded to fling himself around like a teenager with the other keepers we had for the next couple of hours.

“When it came to shooting practice he wanted to stay in the longest as he just enjoyed every second of training. I think in the end we had to drag him in to go home.

“Over the next few years Alan not only coached but also filled in when we ended up with a goalkeeping crisis.

“The opposition knew his age and felt we would be an easy touch with him in goal. His displays for us were solid and dependable with some saves that a goalkeeper half his age, no, a third of his age, would have been proud to put their name to.

“At the end of the game the opposition players and supporters would all praise him and tell him how brilliant he was.

“Alan, being the modest guy he is, would just smile and say thanks. To him it was what he was there for and he was just glad he did his part for the team.”