Ex-Sheppey United winger Malcolm Longhurst, now playing for Ranger Rover Walking Football Club, still on the pitch aged 80

A former semi-pro footballer is still enjoying being on the pitch as he turns 80.

Malcolm Longhurst made his debut for Sheppey United men’s side in 1962 – the same year Everton won the English Division 1 title – and is still playing the sport he loves.

The Rushenden resident first started playing for the junior side when he was 15 in 1959 before making his first senior appearance when he was 18.

He had signed up for the Ites after having kickabouts behind the stands with his mates outside Sheppey United’s home ground at Botany Road.

The former building site carpenter says the highlight of his time at Sheppey was winning the Kent League.

Altogether he was at the club for five seasons playing on the right-wing. He left at the age of 20 and went on to play for Faversham and Whitstable.

He stepped away from the semi-professional game at the age of 40. He joined Rusheden Football Club where he played until he was 55 but had to stop when he needed to have his hips replaced.

The grandad of ten took a step away from the game until three years ago when he re-kindled his love for the sport at Range Rover Walking Football Club which plays its home fixtures at the Oasis Academy’s Minster campus.

Malcolm says that he has no plans to hang up his boots any time soon.

He said: “I love everything about the game, the social side of things and seeing my family.

“I will never stop playing and will play for as long as I can and am still enjoying it.

“But I suppose one day I will have to stop.”

Malcolm’s football bug has been caught by the rest of his family with two of his sons and grandson also involved with Sheppey United.

Harrison McCall – the son of Malcolm’s daughter Darcy McCall – made his senior debut for the club on April, 27 in a