Legendary Premier League goalkeeper comes out of retirement to 'score' hilarious winning goal at 53

A former Premier League goalkeeper came out of retirement to score a free-kick for his local Sunday League team during their title run-in.

Players who've stepped away from the game still have an itch to get involved every so often. Just ask Ronaldo Nazario.

While they might not be able to play at the top level, they can stroll onto any local pitch and boss the proceedings. Even goalkeepers will be more technical.

To find that out, you only need to look as far as AFC Hutwood. The City of Southampton Sunday Football League (CSSFL) were shocked last week when David James rocked up to bend home a 25-yard free-kicked. Check out the footage below.

James represented Aston Villa, Liverpool, West Ham United, Manchester City and Portsmouth during his career.

The ex-England international, who earned 53 caps for the Three Lions, is an FA Cup winner with Portsmouth too.

He started in goal for Hutwood, then decided to try his hand in midfield. Opponents Madeinheath United didn't know how to handle it.

The 53-year-old had the chance to leave his mark on the game before the full-time whistle. He made it count with a free-kick that hit the post and the opposition goalkeeper en route to hitting the back of the net.

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James, who started the game after the club filled a donation box with old boots, revealed post-match he was begging to be substituted.

"I kept asking the manager to take me off. Fortunately he didn't as we got a free-kick, which I smashed goal bound. It hit the post, then hit the goalkeeper and went in," James explained to BBC Radio Solent.

"The idea of the campaign is to keep boots in the community.

"We want people to have them that want to take part in football but maybe can't afford them. The aim is for anyone to be able to play, not matter who you are."

It's not the first time James has experimented playing outfield.

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Former City manager Stuart Pearce famously played James as a striker on the final day of the 2004/2005 season.

With a game against Middlesbrough locked at 1-1 and City desperate to find a winner, Pearce launched his first-choice goalkeeper up top to find the winner.

Despite the moment going down in City folklore, he failed to find the target.

Topics: Premier League, England

Daniel Marland

Daniel is a social editor for SPORTbible after moving from the writing team. Nearly scored past Stormzy at Old Trafford once.

@DanMarland_