Trophy joy for walking football personality Terry Smith

Terry - a familiar figure in the local footballing scene for decades - began his career with Sleaford Town as a 16-year-old back in 1972 and ended it as player-manager with Heckington in 2000.

And he is till showing the youngster how to be a winner.

Terry joined Sleaford Academical Walking Football Club in 2018 at the age of 64 and has just been voted the clubs Personality of the Year for 2020.

“It’s great to get the award,” said Terry, who says walking football has allowed him to return to the game he loves.

“I had a knee replacement on my left and two pins in my right ankle. I never thought I’d play football again.

“It’s great to be able to still play football. You never stop loving playing the game.”

While the rules of walking football may be slightly different - the major changes being that running and sliding tackles are outlawed - the approach to the game remains the same for Terry and his teammates.

“It’s just the same in the dressing room as if you’re in your 20s,” he added.

“The banter is brilliant, it’s very similar.”

Terry had a spell at Lincoln City playing under former Busby Babe David Herd and future England manager Graham Taylor, who took over from Herd, attempted to bring him back to Sincil Bank for a second spell.

However, it was not to be.

“As neither of my parents drove it would have been hard to get to Lincoln and back twice a week for training,” Terry added.

Throughout his playing career Terry won four league titles and featured in 28 cup finals... ending up on the winning side 15 times.

“To have a player like Terry in your side is as vital now as it was for Sleaford Town back in 1972, the man is just a footballing legend,” said Academicals club secretary Steve Morgon.