Dave Beasant nearly shattered an old record last weekend. Instead, he took cues from his son and watched.
English soccer club Stevenage put Beasant, 55, on the substitutes’ bench for its League Two (fourth division) game against Carlisle, but the former Wimbledon and England goalkeeper didn’t enter the game, according to the Mail.
Had Beasant played, he would have become the oldest player in the history of England’s Football League (composed of 92 professional clubs in four divisions).
Beasant coaches Stevenage’s goalkeepers, and one his favorite charges is his 26-year-old son, Sam, who backs up starter Chris Day. Injury prevented Sam Beasant from taking a place on the gameday squad, so Stevenage drafted Dave into service as an emergency replacement. The elder Beasent watched from the bench, as Carlisle earned a comfortable 3-0 win over Stevenage.
Beasant participates in drills during practice at Stevenage and says he could have performed up to standard if given the chance to play Saturday.
“People are going to think, ‘Blimey, 55!’ but they haven’t seen how I train,” Beasant said. “In training I’ve been giving the boys a ribbing because I’ve been in the winning team. I play for Chelsea old boys and England teams. When you get out there it becomes instinctive. I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t think I could l give a good account of myself.”
Beasant made his debut with Wimbledon in 1979 and last played a league game in 2003 with Brighton. He is remembered for captaining Wimbledon and saving a penalty kick in the famous upset win over Liverpool in the 1988 FA Cup final. Beasant also played for Newcastle and Chelsea during his lengthy career.
Neil McBain, who played goalkeeper for Hartlepool (and managed the club) in 1947 at the age of 51 still holds the record for being the oldest player in England’s Football League.
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