Jamie Cureton speaks on his career, management, and still playing as he nears his 50th birthday

English football legend Jamie Cureton speaks on his career, management, and still playing as he nears his 50th birthday.

Jamie, who is currently at Isthmian League – North Division club Cambridge City, registered as a player for the 2025-26 season, aiming to make at least one appearance after turning 50. Football has been his lifelong passion, keeping him grounded and happy.

He is close to reaching 400 career goals, saying he think he needs around four or six more. Cureton stumbled into management at Bishop’s Stortford and enjoys it, while also reflecting on coaching Bukayo Saka at Arsenal, praising his humility and work ethic.

Despite his age, Cureton remains driven to play, prioritising his young squad’s development but ready to step in if needed.

He hopes to stay involved in football as a manager or coach for another decade or more before retiring to golf or fishing.

@JamieCuro on turning 50 this year, his career and future with the Lilywhites. https://t.co/HRHcoJ9xnx

— Cambridge City FC (@cambridgecityfc) July 31, 2025

He said in an interview with BBC Sport: “I’ve just registered myself as a player for the 2025-26 season and would like to make at least one appearance after my birthday.

“Football is all I have ever known. I grew up in an area where trouble was around. Maybe I would have fallen into the wrong sort of crowd. Luckily, I had football.

“Anything outside football is a bit alien to me. I’d be quite lost without it. Being involved in the game keeps me happy and sane.

“In terms of goals, in my head and from what people have told me, I’m either four or six away from 400. I’d like to finish on 400 or above.”

On going into management: “It wasn’t something I had in my mind. I stumbled into management. I got offered a role at Bishop’s Stortford and it just snowballed. I thoroughly enjoy it.”

On coaching Saka, having been Arsenal’s academy coach between 2017 and 2019: “It’s no surprise to see him doing what he’s doing to be honest,” he says of Saka, who has 44 England caps at the age of 23.

“He’s a very nice guy, humble, no airs and graces about him. He just came in and worked hard. A clever boy as well, he was good at school.

“Working for a club like Arsenal was unbelievable. I learned so much and it was a wonderful opportunity for me.”

On playing potentially beyond his 50th birthday: “I won’t ever put myself above players who I feel need the opportunity and need to be playing.

“I won’t pick myself over them. I’ve registered for this season in case I’m needed, in case I need to rest players.

“Towards the end of last season we’d lost a few players and had a few injuries, and there was an opportunity where I felt I could play.

“We’ve got a young squad and I’m older than most of their dads!

“If I can help any of them with their game, or even with their life, then I think I am doing my job.

“I never thought I would still be playing on the verge of 50. I’m very grateful. The drive to keep on playing is what has pushed me to this point.

“Football has been good to me and hopefully I can stay in the game for another 10 or 15 years as a manager or a coach, and then go and play some golf or go fishing.”

CURETON’S CAREER:

Youth careerBristol RoversSouthampton1988–1993 – Norwich City

Senior career1993–1996 – Norwich City – 32 games (6 goals)1995–1996 → AFC Bournemouth (loan) – 6 games (0 goals)1996 → Bristol Rovers (loan) – 6 games (4 goals)1996–2000 – Bristol Rovers – 198 games (79 goals)2000–2003 – Reading – 127 games (55 goals)2003–2004 – Busan I’Cons – 21 games (4 goals)2004–2005 – Queens Park Rangers – 46 games (7 goals)2005–2006 – Swindon Town – 32 games (7 goals)2005–2006 → Colchester United (loan) – 10 games (7 goals)2006–2007 – Colchester United – 46 games (27 goals)2007–2010 – Norwich City – 76 games (18 goals)2008–2009 → Barnsley (loan) – 8 games (2 goals)2010 → Shrewsbury Town (loan) – 12 games (0 goals)2010–2011 – Exeter City – 47 games (20 goals)2011–2012 – Leyton Orient – 23 games (1 goal)2012 → Exeter City (loan) – 7 games (1 goals)2012–2013 – Exeter City – 42 games (21 goals)2013–2014 – Cheltenham Town – 36 games (11 goals)2014–2016 – Dagenham & Redbridge – 93 games (29 goals)2016 – Farnborough – 10 games (9 goals)2016 – Eastleigh – 7 games (1 goal)2016 – Farnborough – 1 games (1 goal)2016–2017 – St Albans City – 17 games (5 goals)2017–2018 – Farnborough – 39 games (19 goals)2018–2020 – Bishop’s Stortford – 95 games (52 goals)2019–2020 → Enfield (dual registration) – 2 games (0 goals)2020 – Hornchurch – 8 games (2 goals)2020–2023 – Enfield – 27 games (8 goals)2024 – Maldon & Tiptree – 3 games (0 goals)2025– Cambridge City – 3 games (0 goals)

International career1993 – England U18 – 4 games (1 goal)

Managerial career2018–2019 Bishop’s Stortford (joint player-manager)2019–2020 Bishop’s Stortford (player-manager)2020–2023 Enfield (player-manager)2023–2024 Maldon & Tiptree (player-assistant coach)[3]2024– Cambridge City (player-manager)

Here’s how Twitter users reacted as Jamie Cureton speaks on his career, management, and still playing as he nears his 50th birthday…

@LPP2014: An original Championship Manager Icon! @JamieCuro

@BarnoRik: Just amazing!!! 💛💚

@TheBoroWalk: What a flippin’ legend. @JamieCuro

@PAN1F: Well, we need a striker and @jamiecuro is a bargain. What say you, ⁦⁦@RCouhig⁩? #readingfc #whatabargain

@Millsy1957: Great article on @JamieCuro today. Many congratulations on a fantastic career.

@PFurls: Jamie Cureton was already a phenomenon (& was going grey!) over a decade ago at Cheltenham. To think he’s still playing now is unbelievable. Imagine loving the game that much and your body not letting you down. #wherearetheynow

@riou66: This article made me smile. As eggs go, @JamieCuro, is a good one. He played for Exeter during our first spell in League One. Keep at it Curo!