Four-goal final flourish as Tony hangs up his football boots at age of 82

He said: “I finally retired from playing veterans football at the ripe old age of 82, and, despite being painfully slow, I still managed to score four goals – three of them tap-ins – thanks to my colleagues at Sovereign Harbour Veterans setting them up at Hampden Park Sports Centre.

“Even in this competitive age, my team-mates Craig, Brian and Co were kind enough to provide me with more passes after I failed to take advantage of those they had given me earlier. It is most heartening that people can be so kind – and perhaps it is a lesson we can all learn from.

“Having at long last hung up my boots, I can now concentrate on my other activity as an Eastbourne author. I have nearly finished my latest crime thriller!”

Tony and his son James are pictured with George Best: “It was taken in the dressing room at the charity match in which I played with Best in an All Star team.”