Chatham Town assistant manager Danny Kedwell retired in his head but still finding the net at 40

Danny Kedwell’s first goal since turning 40 was a special moment for the Chatham assistant manager.

Kedwell, who celebrated his milestone birthday on August 3, struck five minutes into Chats’ 2-0 Isthmian Premier win over Potters Bar on Saturday.

It was a second appearance of the season for the former Gillingham striker, who was back in the dugout on Monday as Chats won 5-2 at Dulwich Hamlet to maintain their 100% start and go top of the league.

“In my head I’ve retired but I’ve never announced it,” said Kedwell, who played the final eight games of last season to help Chats win the Isthmian South East title.

“I don’t think it’ll be long because the body does hurt.

“To be playing and scoring at 40 is a nice thing.

“I’ve only played two games this season, so a one-in-two goal ratio isn’t bad.

“If I keep that up whenever I play, I’ll have had a good season.

“With the quality we’ve got at this club, I will get chances.

“‘I’m a different sort of player now. I’m not going to run in behind any more but we have a game plan for when I do play and a game plan for when I don’t play.

“It’s good to have Plan A and Plan B because not many teams can do that but we have that in our locker.

“I’ve just got to try and keep myself fit. It’s hard when you’re training on Thursday and playing on Saturday.

“It’s no wonder people retire at 35, 36, 37 and not at 40, 41, 42.

“When the day does come it’s going to be hard but I’ll be OK because I’ve got football all around me.

“I’ve got my boys and my training ground that I built in Gravesend, where I take the Ebbsfleet scholars, and I’ve got Chatham.

“Sometimes people retire and they’re like ‘What do I do now?

“It’s hard when all you’ve done since seven is play football and all you’ve ever known is