‘I just love playing football’ – Former City striker on still scoring at 44 and setting an English record
Jamie Cureton was back in action at Carrow Road in May, playing in a legends game celebrating the careers of Russell Martin and Wes Hoolahan Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
He may be 44 years old but Jamie Cureton is still scoring goals and the former Norwich City striker says he is still enjoying his football.
Jamie Cureton with his famous derby day hairstyle in April 1996, ahead of Norwich City's 2-1 loss at Ipswich Picture: Archant Library - Credit: Archant Library
The veteran fox-in-the-box scored the 369th goal of his senior career at the weekend as his Bet Victor Isthmian League Premier Division side Bishop's Stortford, where he's player-manager, lost 2-1 at Haringey Borough.
Earlier this year the Canaries youth product played the 1,000th game of his career and he set a record last month when he became the first player to ever score in the top nine tiers of English football, when he scored in the Essex Senior League for Enfield - at the equivalent level to Wroxham and Norwich United.
"Once I'd done eight, I knew other people had done it, but I didn't think I'd ever get the opportunity to play in nine," he explained. "Thankfully Enfield ground-share with us and I did ask what level it would fall in - and they said it would be nine.
"So I thought if the opportunity comes up, then I'll definitely take it. I played, scored and once I was in the moment I knew what I was doing.
Jamie Cureton had two spells at Norwich Picture: Antony Kelly - Credit: © ARCHANT NORFOLK PHOTOGRAPHI
"It's great, I'm proud that I've achieved it but for me now it's something that's done, we get on with life and playing, and trying to win football matches."
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Cureton scored 24 goals in 108 games for City, across two spells, and also played for clubs including Reading and Bristol Rovers and Colchester.
"The motivation is the biggest thing," Cureton added, speaking to Sky Sports. "I just love playing football and that's what's driven me on. I don't really want to stop, so you turn up every week and do everything you can to be fit and able to play.
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"Thankfully I've done that and injuries have been very kind to me.
"Every morning I get up and walk down the stairs and my ankles are clicking but once I've got going again I'm all-right. I haven't ever got to the point where I'm waking up and thinking 'oh my god, I can't move'.
"After certain games where I've exhausted myself and I'm sat in the changing room thinking I'm going to pass out - but after 24 or 48 hours I feel okay again and I've still got the same buzz."
