"My goal is to make it to the World Athletics Championship in Toronto in 2020 when I am 86 years old"

Jim D

I grew up during War Times in East London. It’s hard for kids nowadays to comprehend but in those days because of the World War we had very little food, we had few toys, we had no bikes, but we had a ball which we kicked around in the street. This was my first introduction to sport.

So I guess I was playing Soccer almost from when I was old enough to run around. My Sporting Life really started when I was 13 and playing for Oldfield United FC. As much as I loved Soccer I was a little overweight as a kid and wasn’t the speediest on the pitch. So it was decided that I would be good in Goal. I played well enough to make the 1st team for Oldfield, during which time a scout from my local Club, Millwall FC, watched me and saw enough to invite me to trial with Millwall.

I made the Reserves Team and debuted against the mighty Arsenal in a midweek London competition. During the game it was 0-0 up until injury time when a late goal was scored against us by un unmarked opponent. Being the unpaid Junior I copped the full blame by all my older teammates and subsequently I got a barrelling from the Manager. Upon hearing this after the game, my Mum stormed up to this Manager and collared him giving him both barrels right between the eyes. On the way home she informed me I would never play for Millwall again. Thanks Mum.

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