I quit football aged 37 after scoring at Anfield… now I’m back aged 43 and chasing England legend’s FA Cup record
DEREK ASAMOAH has his heart set on smashing an FA Cup record jointly-held by Sir Stanley Matthews – even if he has to wait another six years when he’ll be nearly 50.
The 43-year-old became a fan favourite at several EFL clubs, including Northampton, Shrewsbury and Carlisle, as well as enjoying spells in Scotland, France, Bulgaria and South Korea.
His exploits were also recognised on the international stage with Ghana, with whom he scored once in four caps.
But despite retiring from the professional game seven years ago, the striker is still making headlines by banging in the goals for Haringey Borough.
He signed for the Isthmian League North Division outfit in the summer and has already found the net three times for them.
His latest strike came in Tuesday’s 2-1 FA Cup replay victory over Brightlingsea Regent.
England legend Matthews and former Manchester City man Billy Meredith both hold the distinction of being the oldest goalscorers in the competition’s history at the age of 49.
But Asamoah, who famously scored for Carlisle at Liverpool in 2015, is adamant he can beat that as he told SunSport: “100 per cent I’m on their tails.
“Listen, I’m really enjoying playing and plan to do so as long as possible. I’m just really loving playing football still.
“I definitely feel I can still be playing in six years. Sometimes I have to pinch myself. Last week I played 90 minutes on Saturday and another 90 on Monday and I was absolutely fine the next day and up and about.
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“This week as well I’ve got Saturday and Monday matches as well so I definitely think that if I look after myself
“I’m one of the few players that doesn’t need to see a physio or get a massage before the game, I’m just ready to go.
“So if I keep looking after myself, eating and living right, then I don’t see any slowing down.”
Asamoah quit football aged 37 and stopped playing competitively altogether until he was convinced to make a comeback.
He explained: “I actually stopped playing and just took part in vets football but the manager for my vets team was also in charge of a semi-pro team.
“He kept telling me ‘I need goals’ but I said that I didn’t want to do it. Eventually, he convinced me and I haven’t looked back since.”
Asomah has got to fulfil one ambition by lining up alongside both of his boys, 20-year-old Zayshaun, now at Hullbridge Sports, and 21-year-old Maleace, who has just joined Wigan from Fleetwood this summer.
Now as he and Boro prepare to face Witham Town at home on September 14 in the FA Cup second qualifying round, he cannot stop thinking about another potential magical moment.
Asamoah is only three wins away from possibly having the opportunity to line up against Wigan and Maleace in the first round proper.
He said: “Imagine that. Oh my god. That would be an absolute dream, a miracle. I don’t think anything like that has ever happened before.
“It sounds like a fairytale but it’s just three games away and anything can happen in that first round proper draw.”
But would dad still come out on top? Asamoah added: “Definitely.
“I’m sure he’d say differently if we get drawn together but I always come out on top.”