CIRENCESTER TOWN | FULL NELSON

Age is just a number for veteran 'keeper

It may not have been his day on Saturday as Cirencester Town suffered a 4-1 home reverse at the hands of Biggleswade Town, but at 42 years young, Stuart Nelson is still enjoying the game as much as ever.

The experienced goalkeeper who over the past two decades has given sterling service to the likes of Brentford, Gillingham and Notts County, is now back where it all started and hoping to help The Centurions make the Pitching In Southern League Division One Central play-offs.

“Match days are what it’s all about, you just can’t beat that feeling,” he told us. “Whatever level you play at, you still get that same buzz and those same feelings when you win.

“I am just enjoying every minute of it. I think as you get older, you appreciate it even more because you are a long time retired.

“The team were pretty solid over the first half of the season and got ourselves into a nice position in and around the play-offs.

“We were able to lay the foundations and now we have to be able to build upon them with a positive finish and see where it takes us. There are plenty of clubs still vying for the play-off places.

“There is some real talent in this division, both in terms of the outfield players and goalkeepers. We have a young goalkeeper at our club called Ronnie Newberry, who I think can go far in the game.

“I have enjoyed working with him and helping him develop. He has some fantastic attributes and if he keeps listening, learning and working hard the way he has, then he has a great opportunity to progress.

“There is some good talent within our team and it will be interesting to see how they cope with the pressure of a push for the play-offs. It will certainly stand them in good stead.

“As for me, I just want the games to come thick and fast and do whatever I can to help bring success to the club.”

Currently sitting just three points off the play-off places, Cirencester Town head to Stotfold on Saturday looking to respond to their set-back at the weekend.

IMAGE: Graham Hill

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