Veteran goalkeeper Rogers still playing at sixty - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Goalkeeper Alan Rogers, 60, will gladly hand over the jersey back to James Simpson when Tunbridge Wells welcome Herne Bay to Culverden Stadium on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

The veteran stopper made his fifth appearance for Martin Farnie’s side tonight, during their 4-3 defeat to Croydon.

“Well, I was just saying to the boys in there, I thought it was a very good, exciting game of football, really enjoyable,” Rogers said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk after the match.

“We should have got something out of it I think but I really enjoyed it.”

With former Dartford goalkeeper Simpson back in goal on Saturday, Rogers will take his place back on the bench and will prepare the first choice before the game.

“Jimmy will be back in goal Saturday and I will just be enjoying warming up and sitting on the bench,” said Rogers.

“I enjoy coming on doing what I do, when I have to but (on Saturday) I’ll just sit and watch the game and relax.”

You will not find many 60-year-old’s as fit as Rogers, and he still turns out for local side Artois on a Sunday morning - and also plays veterans football during the summer.

“I’m quite happy to come in when I have to play,” he said. “To play week in, week out wouldn’t do me any favours at all because I still play my Sunday football for Artois and once in a blue moon is allright for me.

“I think this is my fifth game I’ve played for the Wells this year and enjoyed, even though we’ve lost, enjoyed every one.”

Rogers faced the wrath of his wife after suffering a head injury towards the end of their game at Whitstable Town in February.

The goalkeeping coach, who turned 60 on April 13^th, recalled: “I really thought I done myself a nasty one when I got whacked in the head and being in Margate hospital and then getting home about half past eleven on a Saturday night, the first thing the wife said to me was “are you going to pack this game in now?”

“Of course the answer was “No! No way - I enjoy it so much!”

Visit club websites:

www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk

www.hernebayfc.net

Tunbridge Wells v Herne Bay
Kent League Premier Division
Saturday 21^st April 2007
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Culverden Stadium, Culverden Down, Tunbridge Wells