Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterAs the old saying goes, history is written by the victors.And while we all love to read about World Cup winners, Champions League icons and the planets best players, some of the games very best stories are about those players who never reached the top and instead enjoyed more varied - and frankly bonkers - careers.So step forward Jamie Cuerton, the 51-year-old striker who has scored in all top 10 divisions of the pyramid and is still going strong in his 32nd season as a player.Jamie Cureton on his 32-season playing careerFrom starting out at Norwich City in the early days of the Premier League to playing for 26 clubs across the pyramid, Cureton has been there and done it - and he has now put his remarkable story down on paper in Last of the Goalhangers, a collection of tales from his three decades on the pitch.It certainly feels that way, laughs Cureton, when FourFourTwo ask him if he really has seen everything. Cureton is currently in his 32nd season in the game with Holland FC in the Eastern Counties League Division One North, having left his player-manager role at Kings Park Rangers behind. You may like Scottish football club sporting director has had arguably the maddest career in history 'Wherever the band play, all over the world, I come along with my boots we even have a Whatsapp group' Former Scotland defender Colin Hendry on turning out for Iron Maiden's football team at the age of 60 59-year-old Japan legend scores ahead of his 42nd professional season This is not an autobiography, just to be clear, as Im worried people will have no idea who I am so who would want to read that? Its more a collection of all the mad stuff Ive experienced in more than three decades in football, he continues.Among the these mad tales include turning down the chance to join the fabled Class of 92 squad as a youngster, bombing amphetamines in the 1990s rave scene and smuggling �40,000 out of South Korea in his underpants. Its been an interesting ride, laughs Cureton, who also turned out for clubs including Reading, Bristol Rovers and QPR across his long career. Its a look back at on- and off-field stuff. Its not about making millions or playing for England. Ive had a lot of bad times, big downers and regrets, across my life too. Ive tried to be honest.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.The title of the book is a nod to Curetons playing style a fox in the box of the classic mould. That type of player seems to have largely died out these days, laments Cureton, who has amassed more than 400 goals in his lifetime. I suppose someone like Erling Haaland is a classic poacher but hes so much more than that. I was always, even since I was a little kid, the bloke who could slot the ball into the back of the net.Curetons goalscoring career began in the top flight, for then-high-flying Norwich in the 1994-95 season. Hes clocked more than 20 league goals in six different seasons, right across the pyramid. Since leaving Dagenham & Redbridge in 2016, Cureton has spent a full decade playing in non-league football. How has he found it?Its fantastic football in its purest form, smiles Cureton. I love being close to the fans; that community aspect. Its why I keep going. The standard at this level has changed a huge amount from when I first started out. Nowadays, non-league is full of top academy loanees, or released players looking to get back into the EFL. The drinking culture is largely a thing of the past, so its highly competitive with proper athletes. What to read next I worked as a hairdresser before joining Gillingham it was clattering Steve Bruce that earned me the contract How Tony Cascarino earned his big break in football Troy Deeney on coming back from the brink My life is very strange Ive been in a bath with rose petals, recreating American Beauty, and over the California countryside in a hot air balloon that was also a pair of pants Peter Crouch tells FFT about his latest acting venture So how is a 51-year-old faring at this level? I take great care of myself and wouldnt bother anymore if I didnt think I could offer something, he says. Youll be surprised just how effective experience is at this level.How long can Cureton keep playing? Thats a tough one, he says. My aim this season was to surpass 1,100 games, which I should hopefully do before Christmas.Curetons biggest nerves arent about playing anyway. I just hope people enjoy the book, he says. Its been a good chance to set the record straight on a lot of things people have gotten wrong about me. Certain clubs and fan groups that maybe didnt understand some decisions Ive made.If Cureton does manage to play to 60, which he sees a possibility, we might just need another book.TOPICSNorwich CityPremier LeagueJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromEd McCambridgeStaff Writer
