WHILE many an amateur footballer will most probably play their last ever game in a muddy park, a WGC 68-year-old marked his final appearance somewhere a bit more flash – the Emirates Stadium.

Roy Talbot played in goal first for Codicote FC and latterly in Roche’s Sunday League side, before hanging up his boots some 35 years ago.

Since then the Parkway resident has blown the dust off his gloves for appearances at Upton Park, the home of West Ham United, and Leeds United’s Elland Road ground, for games organised by diabetes charity Football Aid.

Last week the father-of-two and grandfather-of-three vowed he had finally played for the last time when he turned out at the home of Arsenal, again for Football Aid.

Roy told the WHT it was the perfect way to go out – not only playing at one of the UK’s biggest stadiums and winning 10-1, but also sharing the day with his eldest grandchild, Daniel Gilmore, seven, who was mascot.

“It was a fantastic day and one I’ll never forget,” he said.

“At 68 I was delighted to finish my playing career with a convincing win, and as away team goalkeeper only conceding one goal. I’ve never played on such lush turf or had the luxury facilities Arsenal players enjoy every week. Players came from around the country, USA and Spain. Arsenal home team had a player from Barcelona who wore orange boots given to him by Lionel Messi for the match.

“I’ll keep the Arsenal kit I wore as a reminder of the memorable day playing at the Emirates Stadium.”

The match raised �18,000 for Football Aid, the charity which offers football fans their dream opportunity to walk through their team’s tunnel and play on the hallowed turf, in order to raise charitable funds.