Meet Peter OGrady, the ultimate amateur footballer about to play his 1000th game for one club

Meet Peter OGrady, the ultimate amateur footballer about to play his 1000th game for one club
Peter O’Grady AKA the ultimate one club man. Certainly, the ultimate amateur footballer.At 56 years old, he is about to play his 1000th game for Old Ignatian FC when the club host Fulham Compton Old Boys today.Based in Enfield, north London, opposite Tottenham Hotspurs training ground, the club play in the Amateur Football Combination one of the biggest amateur leagues in the world with more than 90 clubs and three hundred sides playing every weekend.4

Peter, back row, third from right, is about to play his 1000th game for Old Ignatian FC

Comprised mainly of boys who went St Ignatius College, in his storied career, Peter has been involved in seven of their eight Premier title wins, two as captain between 1998 and 2000.In fact, he has been around so long he has played in the same side as three of his brothers and with six of his nephews.4

Pete, centre, left in yellow with his dad, brothers and nephews

When I handed the team sheet in once, I think the ref thought I was winding him up when he saw how many times OGrady had been written, Dave his brother and team manager told talkSPORT.I think he needs drug testing, he joked, before adding his brother is definitely there on merit.Hes 57 in September and in training he often puts the young lads to shame, he continued, explaining the opposition are usually amazed by his fitness.Everytime we play, someone usually comes up and ask how old is that guy. They cant get at him. Apart from never missing a training session, one story in particular highlights his dedication.He once had to go to a wedding on Saturday, but he didn’t want to miss the match and was able to reach a compromise.So, the wedding ceremony was attended, with Peter appearing for the second half – and it’s just as well he did. Arriving with the team 3-0 down at half time, Peter entered the fray to score a hat-trick in a fine victory.The celebration? Naturally, that was at the evening do of the wedding.Having made the decision to stop playing in the early 2000s, he answered an SOS plea from his former team.I asked him to come back and help us out and he just stayed, Dave explained.Only injury will stop Pete from playing he missed an entire season when he broke his leg or whenever Take That are on.Yeah, years ago he missed one game to go and see them, Dave admitted. Even now young lads who werent around take the piss out of him for it.This season he has scored twice in 14 games, with his most recent strike also being his 200th goal.4

For playing in his 1000th game, his club have Pete a special shirt to mark the occasion

Ahead of Saturday’s game, he will be presented with a special club shirt with his landmark on the back.Hell be captain for the day with a more formal presentation coming at the club’s centenary dinner at the end of the season.Hes keen to just to play on Saturday and not make a big fuss about it, Dave said.What he doesnt know, though, is that Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has penned a letter congratulating him on his achievement a wonderful touch for a lifelong Spurs fan.So heres to Pete and to every other amateur player up and down the country playing for the love of the game.Saturday should be a good night.4

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has written Pete a letter congratulating him on his milestone

---

The Bluebirds have been left "shocked" and "distressed" by events surrounding their record signing, who was due to link up with the club on Tuesday Cardiff City continue to "pray for positive news" as they wait for updates on Emiliano Sala and the plane which went missing while bringing the Argentine striker to Wales from Nantes.
Ken Choo: Cardiff City Shocked And Praying For Emiliano Sala

---

Peterborough United are looking for a new manager after parting company with Darren Ferguson and his coaching staff. It follows the club's 3-0 defeat at League One rivals Milton Keynes Dons.
Peterborough United job came right out of the blue for

---

Tottenham welcome Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund to Wembley tonight for their Champions League clash. Dortmund, who lead the German league despite drawing their last two games, were dumped out of the competition last season at the group stage, losing twice to Spurs.
Army Renews 'Cordial Relationship' with Sokoto Communities

---

Chelsea loanee Tiemoue Bakayoko is reportedly considering his future at AC Milan after suffering racial abuse in Italy.. Bakayoko is on a season-long loan with Milan, who were understood to be
Chelsea loanee Tiemoue Bakayoko 'considering AC Milan future

---

Mousa Dembele is on the verge of sealing his Tottenham exit, with an £11m move to Beijing Guoan nearing completion, according to The Guardian. With the Belgium international set to depart and Eric Dier sidelined, Spurs need Wanyama to stay for now.
Tottenham news and transfers live: Spurs favourites to sign

---

Gordon Strachan 'will not appear on Sky again' after controversial Adam Johnson remarks. The former Scotland boss compared the convicted sex offender's situation with racial abuse on their show
Gordon Strachan speaks out on Sky Sports axe over Adam

---

Barcelona vs Tottenham: The Manchester clubs have made it to the round of 16 & the pressure is on Tottenham & Liverpool to advance through. While Liverpool take on a stern Napoli, Tottenham go up against the 5-time champions, Barcelona.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool Preview: Probable Lineups

---

Real Madrid capture Chelsea star Eden Hazard on a five-year deal. Real Madrid have signed Eden Hazard from Chelsea on a five-year contract. The 28-year-old will be officially unveiled on Thursday, June 13, once he has undergone his medical.
Hazard 'agrees five-year Real Madrid deal' - sportingtribune.com

---

Joe Gomez shone earlier this season but has a poor injury record, with backups Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip just not in the same league. Raphael Varane is a rumoured transfer target for Liverpool
See how Liverpool secure their future with Joe Gomez' new

---

Chelsea heats up Champions League chase by beating Liverpool Sunday, 6 May 2018 LONDON (AP) — As Manchester City finally collected the Premier League trophy on Sunday, Chelsea closed in on salvaging Champions League qualification from a lackluster title defense and further weakened Liverpool's grip on a top-four finish.
Barcelona v Liverpool: Rivaldo, Messi, Iniesta and Barca's

---

Bellinger's blast lifts Dodgers over Brewers; Gary Wilson edges out Luca Brecel after record-breaking Crucible decider paid prostitutes to pee on him in a Moscow hotel and that his former
News From July 2018 - Business Directory - The Internet Pages

---

Rudi Garcia could be the right man for the job at Arsenal should they choose to part ways with current manager Arsene Wenger, according to Ray Parlour. Airing his views in a Q&A on Sportlobster

---

Arsenal chief Raul Sanllehi has hinted the injury to Danny Welbeck could change the club's plans in the January transfer window. The Gunners recently lost Welbeck to what looked a nasty ankle
Arsenal news: Unai Emery sent warning by Gunners chief

---

Nigel Adkins to leave Hull City after rejecting contract

---

Liverpool announce record-breaking £300m kit deal with New Balance from next season Warrior, Liverpool's current kit supplier, is a subsidiary of New Balance The new deal does not compromise
Liverpool launch half-price home kit alternative - but it won

---