Dreketi’s Henry Dyer was one of the oldest players to feature in the 2017 Vodafone Fiji FACT at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori last weekend.
He had encouraged footballers to be more passionate and dedicated if they wanted to build a career in football.
Dyer believes age is not a factor when it comes to playing football. He said the passion and love or football was what had kept him going all these years.
The 45-year-old midfielder has played for Labasa, Suva, Rewa, Navua and now Dreketi has not thought of taking retirement yet.
“I will continue to play as long as I will have strength in my legs,” Dyer said.
“I think I have worked really hard to be where I am today. I don’t just train with the team; I train during the off-season which is very important.”
According to Dyer his soccer journey has been good. “I have played for many teams and I think when it comes to age, that should not be a factor as to why a player should stop playing a sport they love.”
He said age was just a number but it was all about the physical aspect of things and how fit they were to be able to continue playing.
“The other thing that has kept me going is my family, their support means everything to me and they have always been there for me and my children are starting to get into football as well.”
However he said what had really kept his going all these years was his love for the sport. “I enjoy it and I enjoy playing alongside the many young and experienced boys.”
He said he was not sure whether he would retire soon or whether this Fiji FACT would be his last tournament.
“Nothing is confirmed, I want to keep playing and as long as my body allows me to keep running and kicking I will continue playing.”
Dyer said he was happy to see the progress of football over the years from where it had been to what it had come to now.
He said the quality of football had improved as the pace was now faster and there had been a lot of changes.
“It is growing fast and the standard is increasing every day and it is nice to see there are a lot of young players coming onto the scene.”
The 2017 Vodafone Fiji FACT he said had been really great and was glad to be a part of it.