England legend tipped to make shock return to football at 62 with world's second oldest club

They say age is just a number and England legend Chris Waddle may be about to prove that statement is true.

Reports claim Waddle could make a shock return to football at the ripe old age of 62.

Waddle, who appeared at two World Cups with his country, provides punditry for the likes of BBC Radio Five Live, ESPN and Showsports Arabia.

He turned out for the likes of Newcastle, Spurs, Marseille and Sheffield Wednesday in a decorated career.

His £4.25 million move to Marseille, where he won three Ligue One titles, made him the third-most expensive player in the world back in 1989.

Waddle's penalty miss in England's semi-final shoot-out defeat to Germany remains an infamous moment.

Image: Getty

The technically-gifted midfielder retired professionally in 1999 but continued to turn out in Non-League for Worksop Town, Glapwell and Stocksbridge Park Steels - who also had a certain Jamie Vardy in their ranks years later.

But he also played for Hallam FC, the second-oldest team in history, while in his fifties.

And according to Alan Biggs of talkSPORT and the Sheffield Star, the club are contemplating sending an "SOS" message" to him about another comeback.

The Northern Counties East League Premier Division outfit are in the midst of an injury crisis and could only field ten players in a 6-2 defeat to Stocksbridge Park Steels on Tuesday night.

With at least six players reportedly suffering from serious injuries, they are hopeful that Waddle, a friend of the club, can give them a helping hand.

Image: Getty

The team currently plays in the ninth step of the Non-League system and have a huge FA Vase clash with Coventry United at the weekend.

There is no official word on what his response will be but Biggs claims "it’s believed will not need too much encouragement" as he "never really hung up his boots".

SPORTbible has contacted Hallam FC for comment.

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Topics: England

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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