By David Parsons
Lee Trundle used to score goals for fun in his pomp for Swansea City and he is still hitting the back of the net at the age of 47.
An ambassador for the Swans these days, Trundle says he wants to carry on playing until he is at least 50 years old.
And with six goals in his first eight games for Trefelin in the second tier of Welsh domestic club football, he is still up to scratch.
Having recently recovered from a knee injury, the Liverpool-born striker feels he is capable of delivering the goods for Trefelin beyond his half century – just like he did for Swansea more than 20 years ago.
Looking forward to this one https://t.co/U9jfqSY48l
— Lee Trundle (@LeeTrundle10) September 26, 2024
On Saturday, Trefelin visit Taffs Well in their latest JD Cymru South clash.
“In my head, I would love to still be around at this level when I am 50. To still be playing at 50 would be a great achievement in not only being out on the football pitch, but looking after myself to keep going for that long,” said Trundle.
Trundle’s recent injury saw him miss the second half of the 2023-24 season – when he was playing for Mumbles Rangers in an even lower league – but the EFL icon had former club Swansea to thank for helping him during his lengthy recovery.
“When I went to see the knee specialist, the first thing he said to me was, ‘are you going to carry on?’ and I said ‘yes, 100%’ and he started laughing,” explained Trundle.
“That injury is a bad one at any age, never mind at 47. But I’m lucky enough to be in a position where the Swansea physios look after me – they gave me treatment and a programme to get myself back.”
We can't ignore the ballers of the #EFL 😤
Take it away Lee Trundle 🔥 #EFLMen pic.twitter.com/htbIrEZIMd
— Sky Bet (@SkyBet) September 11, 2024
Trundle has played a major role in increasing attendances at Welsh domestic football matches over the past decade.
He has also played alongside former Wales international Shaun MacDonald and ex-Swansea team-mate Leon Britton in the grassroots game since retiring from the professional ranks.
But the frontman says his dedication to training has been key to his ability to keep entertaining crowds as he approaches the start of his fourth decade as a player.
“I’ve never stopped. If you come to the end of your career and you go away for a bit and stop, you start picking up those injuries and fitness issues,” he added.
“I still train every single day. I’ll do my strengthening and core work, we’ll have one football session a week and then I’ll mix it up with spin classes which I do myself.
“I don’t do much running, I don’t go out pounding the roads so I can look after my body because I know what works for me. The main key has been looking after myself.
“I’ll finish when I know I’m out on the pitch and I’m not contributing. I’m not silly, I know when I’ve had a bad game.
“When I’m not scoring goals, or assisting or affecting the game, that’s when I’ll stop. Or, it could be a case that I can’t do it at this level, but maybe I can drop down a level because I still love playing football.
“There’s nothing better than going to training with the lads, being in that dressing room, that banter and feeling you get from a matchday, that’s something I really look forward to every week.”
UNREAL 😱😱😱
Lee Trundle's Control > pic.twitter.com/QI7rVMgKnW
— Soccer AM (@SoccerAM) January 21, 2023