THEY might not score as many hat-tricks as they did in their younger days...

But a group of friends are still just as passionate about playing football as they were when they took up the "beautiful game" -- THIRTY years ago.

Despite having a combined age of more than 300 years, the six soccer fanatics still turn out with their younger team mates, no matter what.

The friends are undertaker Neil Smith, aged 55, company director Paul Atherton, 51, draughtsman John Jolley, 54, textile cutter Michael Whittaker, 51, furnace operator John Halliwell, 51, and 50-year-old export manager Robert Newton -- who are pictured above when they played for Walkden Royal British Legion team in 1984.

Neil, of Athens Drive, Walkden, thrives on his passion for the beautiful game and not only plays with his five pals every week in a six-a-side team against Heywood Old Boys at Kearsley Manor football ground, but is chairman and treasurer of Walkden Football Club, manager of an over-35s team, acting chairman of the Bolton veterans' league and last year played in the over-45s national Umbro Veterans' Cup.

He was approached by Bolton Sports Federation in 1993 to found the over-35s Veterans' league which started with just six teams, but now boasts three divisions of 28 teams and is based at the Harriet Street ground in Walkden. The father of three is a loyal Wanderers fan and has had a season ticket for Burnden Park from the age of five onwards.

Neil, who used to be a star striker but enjoys playing midfield these days, was over the moon when his dream of playing at Burnden Park was finally realised at the age of 51 in an amateur team shortly before the ground closed.

Despite suffering from problems with his left knee, Neil is determined not to retire from football altogether and still dreams of one day playing in a match at the Reebok stadium.

Hooked

He admits his family think he is "bananas" for devoting so much time to the sport at his age, but he fears he is hooked for life.

"I just wish I could turn the clock back and keep playing for even longer." said Neil. "I love all the functions and social dos connected to the football.

'My wife isn't sporty at all and just lets me get on with it -- and my mother thinks I'm mad. In my day it was football or nothing, but for young people today there are too many other distractions and that's a shame."

Were you a member of the 1984 team? Contact the BEN newsdesk and tell us where you are on the photograph. THEY'RE STILL GAME: From left, Paul Atherton, John Halliwell, Robert Newton and Neil SmithRef: J3320/10 1984 TEAM: Neil Smith is circled top left, John Halliwell fourth left, Robert Newton fourth right, and Paul Atherton second right. Not circled are John Jolley, bottom left, and Michael Whittaker, third top left The friends are undertaker Neil Smith, aged 55, company director Paul Atherton, 51, draughtsman John Jolley, 54, textile cutter Michael Whittaker, 51, furnace operator John Halliwell, 51, and 50-year-old export manager Robert Newton.