OLDIES AND GOALIES.

Following on from the strenuous but exhilarating experience of Walking Football, I read that Barry Richardson at 46, is almost old enough to play in our nets. The cut off is 50 and I am keeping an eye on his progress to see if he might fill our goal, once we enter the Sheffield FA WF League.

Barry stepped out to tend goal at Plymouth Argyle recently when, as sub he had to fulfil his commitment for Wycombe Wanderers. This momentous occasion meant that Barry became the third oldest English league player. Neil McBain holds the record, when at New Brighton, a league side at the time, he helped out in an injury crisis in 1948 at 51 years old.

Sir Stanley Matthews, of course, comes second when at 50 he danced down the right wing for Stoke City in 1965. Dave Bessant was 55 when he sat on the bench for Stevenage in 2014, but he was not summoned.

Barry made his mark after 15 minutes of the match and kept a clean sheet (not easy at 46) the only one at Home Park this season so far. This was his first official outing since breaking a leg in 2005.

Wycombe are cash strapped and do not run a reserve side, so resources run a bit thin. First choice keeper Matt Ingram had been sold to QPR in the recent transfer window, so the "Chairboys" could reduce some of their debt. Second choice keeper Alex Lynch had been recalled from a loan and he suffered an injury early in the game. A youth goalkeeper ready to make his debut, broke a finger n training so up steps Barry. 

Despite his apparent success, Wycombe have signed another keeper on loan.