Watch Britain’s oldest goalkeeper who has been playing for seven decades
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79-year-old Colin Lee is Britain’s oldest goalkeeper and has been playing for seven decades.
He still plays for a local club and has no intention of stopping it anytime soon.
Lee started playing football when he was just six and has been playing for seven decades.
The RAF veteran is a grandfather of eight and even has arthritis in his hands.
He said: “I’ve been told you have to be mad to be a goalie, so I guess I must be bordering on that as I’ve done it for so long. I love chucking myself around the goal like a lunatic.”
“I’ve got arthritis in my hands and my joints and knees are stiffer than they used to be but I still love it when I make a good save. I’ve had lots of bruises but amazingly I’ve never had any serious football injuries in more than 70 years.”
He says that he has no plans to stop playing and he will play for as long as his body lets him play the game.
He initially played football as a center half and then switched to keep the goal in 1949.
He said: “I just really enjoy it. I’ve got a knack for knowing where the players are going to shoot and it’s a matter of pride for me to get my body in front of the ball.”
Lee lives with his 66-year-old wife Joy in Northampton and has eight grandchildren. He plays with his son, Colin Junior, and grandson, Tom.
He said: “It is wonderful to play with my son and grandson. Unfortunately, Colin has the same knee problems I’ve suffered with but it’s great when we all turn out for the same team.”
“I can still play a full 90 minutes but I also do a lot behind the scenes and we’re currently trying to build a new clubhouse and community centre for the future generations.”
Lee established Sunday league team Thorplands Club 81 with his workmates after leaving the RAF in 1974.
He has been awarded the Barclays Community Sports Award for his community football work and currently plays with his son Colin Junior and his grandson Tom in the same team.
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