I've started playing football again

When I talk about football with my peers I always find it hard to make them believe that I used to be pretty handy on a football pitch. Before I got fat and too tall to control my lanky limbs I was what Football Manager would call a 'Hot Prospect'. Aston Villa, Coventry, Swindon and Cheltenham Town all had me on trial then I packed it in in favour of whites and spikes on a cricket field.

Recent kickarounds on muddy Cheltenham parks have shown me up to a good shout for Sunday League average. But at least my passion and competitive edge is still there.

With my cupboards now stocked full of fresh (ish) fruit and granola bars substituting Mars bars, I decided to start playing seriously again. Just for the fitness and fun for now but after 3 sessions on the astro-turf I am beginning to itch to start playing 11-a-side again. When asked what position I fancy, it's always 'Wherever mate, I'll float'. But I seem to settle now just behind the attacker as if I commit to be always up top, I'll get bored and want to get stuck in and play.

One problem I have found with football, which is one of the exact reasons I packed it in in the first place is MOANERS. Even from Under 15 football, I hated MOANERS. What is the purpose of playing if someone is just going to moan they haven't got the ball, you give it to them to appease their whines and then they do something stupid and the ball is lost. I'd say that the training I'm partaking in at the moment is very competitive and contains some very handy players often on the opposing team to  mine. I like to think I thrive when I have players around me that are on my wavelength and read my game.

Even after a few sessions I can feel the touch and vision coming back and the fitness is slowly returning meaning I am blowing out of my behind 10 minutes later each week.

I have never been that good in the air, but being 6ft2 the request to mark the huge central defender who is about to no-doubt demolish everything in his path to get his swede on the ball - is often a request that is met reluctantly. I'll much rather go back to U12s and run rings round teams like Cashes Green and Churchdown Panthers.

All this fitness lark is so I can consistently bowl 12 over spells next cricket season but my appearance in the colours of Westbury Football Club may precede that of the Cricket Club.

Tom