RETIRED SMITH’S A KEEPER FOR CLEVE – AT 43!

By Kyrenia Shipillis

LOYAL Mark Smith feels the time is right to finally hang up his gloves – but his club are not getting rid of him that easily.

The 43-year-old has finally announced his retirement from the game after 23 years and over 700 appearances for North West Counties League Division One North side Thornton Cleveleys.

Since joining the Gamble Road club in the West Lancashire Division Two in 2003, Smith has helped guide the club to three promotions, taking them to their highest level.

His farewell came after a 3-1win over Route One Rovers last Saturday, and says it was a fitting way to call it a day.

“I’ve gone through all the leagues on the West Lancs and won them all. The Lancashire Cup too, that was a good trophy to win,” Smith told The NLP.

“I’ve ended on a high which is good. I still feel like I can play, but I’ve got to move over I’m 43 – it’s a young man’s game!

“I’ve got friends for life. 21 years at the club, I’ve met some really good people who I do class as my best friends now after all these years. It’s like a family club – it’s brilliant.”

Remaining loyal to a single club is a rarity these days, but his love for the club, the surrounding area and its people made his decision to stay a no-brainer.

“I love the place,” he said. “The people who run the place are great people, I’ve never had a problem with them. They’ve always supported and backed me even in the darker days.

“Money never interested me, so I was happy where I was. I enjoyed it, which was the most important thing.”

And the secret to playing on at 43? Training and hard work, according to the popular shot-stopper.

Picture: Derick Thomas

“Being a goalkeeper, you’re not involved as much,” he smiled. “It does take its toll on your body, don’t get me wrong, but I’m not constantly running for 90 minutes. The only running I’m doing is 18 yards!

“I do train every time. That’s basically my secret, to train as much as you can.”

Smith figures now is the right time to step back and let the new generation take the reins – but he does not plan to stray too far away from Thornton as he gets set to move onto the coaching staff for next season.

“I think the way the club wants to go is to develop the youth,” he said. “At 43, they’re not going to build around me.

“What we need to do now is get a young keeper in who we can trust and work with – hopefully he can fill my boots!

“I’ve been around the club. I know the club very well, so whatever information I can give them, or how I can help them, that’s what I want to do.”

Picture: Derick Thomas