BOSTON UNITED defender Andy Butler plans to play on until he is 40 despite coming close to joining the police.
The former Scunthorpe United, Doncaster Rovers, Walsall and Huddersfield Town centre back, 37, is gearing up for his first season in National League North with the Lincolnshire club.
And he now plans to stay in the game for another three years despite also being a qualified locksmith and plumber.
“I considered the Police Force,” Butler told Lincolnshire World.
“I got to the written exam and then I got a contract with Donny Rovers and had to put that on the backburner.
“But I'm still looking into life after football. Nothing's a guarantee, so I'm looking into lots of different things.
“I've learned quite a few things but I like to keep busy. During the days now I'm looking for something else to do and to broaden my knowledge.
“Football is everything when you're in it, but when you finish you need to know what you want to do next.”
Butler also manages Doncaster Rovers Belles in the FA Women's National League Division One Midlands and is a level five referee.
“I love football and want to learn every aspect of it that I can,” he said.
Butler also ended last season as Rovers' interim manager, taking control of dugout duties for the League One club after Darren Moore's departure in March to Sheffield Wednesday.
“I don't want to quit playing. I've got plenty of years left playing -I want to play until I'm 40.”
Butler was in the Scunthorpe side that won promotions in 2004-05 and 2006-07, finishing second in League Two before winning League One two years later.
