IPSWICH Town legend John Wark is still getting as much enjoyment out of playing Sunday football at 51 as he did in his heyday at Portman Road and with Liverpool and Scotland.

Elvin King

IPSWICH Town legend John Wark is still getting as much enjoyment out of playing Sunday football at 51 as he did in his heyday at Portman Road and with Liverpool and Scotland.

And John is still performing heroics.

Playing for Sophtlogic in the Premier Division of the Licensed Trades League last weekend, his side was 2-0 down against Shotley Rose at the interval.

They then lost their goalkeeper through injury and former Ipswich Town apprentice Mark Lomas moved from striker to take over the jersey.

John continued the 'Roy of the Rovers' feats that he has achieved his entire career to score a hat-trick and win the game.

“One of the youngsters in my team wanted to take the penalty that completed my hat-trick,” said John, who runs hospitality in the Sir Bobby Robson suite at Portman Road home games.

“But there was no way anybody else was going to take the kick.

“The thrill on Sunday matched the joy I experienced in my professional days. It was the same buzz, and while this continues I will carry on playing.”

And John was not finished on Sunday. He then ran a team in a five-a-side tournament at Rattlesden and played six games in a tournament that Sophtlogic won.

“I was walking around a bit like John Wayne on Sunday evening,” added John. “But the aches and pains have gone now.”

It was Sophtlogic's first game of the season at Shotley Rose, after their first two matches were called off.

John has been managing the side for company owner Phil Hullis for a number of years taking over from another Town legend Kevin Beattie.

He is also Phil's personal trainer and takes care of all things football including washing the kit.

“I was thinking of calling it a day because I am still a winner and we were playing with depleted teams sometimes last season,” said John.

“But we have brought in some fresh faces and have a squad of 14 or 15 now.

“The regular Sunday matches keep me fit as I am a member of the Liverpool All-Stars side that plays games around the globe.

“I spent July in Ireland and Scandinavia, and we have a one-off game against Manchester United in Donegal on October 4.

“We raise a lot of money for charity, and I am also still being remunerated for playing the game I love, which is a bonus. Shortly after Ipswich Town played in a testimonial game at Glentoran in the summer a Liverpool Legends versus Manchester United Legends game attracted double the crowd with 6,000 watching us play.”

From scoring in a UEFA Cup final and on some of the biggest stages in the game, John is now getting just as much of a thrill playing in front of the preverbal man and his dog. And still loving it. What a man!