Alan Camsell
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Place of birth | Blaydon, County Durham, England | ||
| Position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Llandudno Strollers FC. | ||
| Number | 1 | ||
Alan Camsell (born 1933) is an English-born Welsh amateur association football player who, at 92 years old, is the world's oldest active goalkeeper. He plays for Llandudno Strollers FC, a football club based in Llandudno, North Wales.
Early life
[edit]Camsell was born and raised in Blaydon, County Durham, and grew up supporting Sunderland A.F.C. During his youth and early adulthood he did not participate in organised football as he worked long hours in his family's hairdressing business. In 1972, Camsell moved to Conwy, North Wales and became a teacher at Llandrillo College.[1][2][3]
Football career
[edit]Camsell did not begin playing competitive football until 1973, when he was 40 years old. He initially played as a centre forward. As he aged he transitioned into a goalkeeper in order to maintain stamina.[4][5] He later joined Penrhyn Bay Strollers F.C, an over-60s football club in Llandudno.[6] Over his five-decade amateur career Camsell outlasted his original teammates and eventually played alongside the sons and grandsons of his former colleagues, as well as two of his own grandchildren.[7][8][9]
Camsell has gone through several medical procedures, including a total hip replacement, a knee replacement, a hernia and the implantation of a cardiac pacemaker.[2] Despite this, Camsell continues to play weekly.[10] To prevent injury while diving during matches, he plays with three-inch-thick foam padding around his hips.[4]
In 2021, an internationally viral story about Camsell was published by BBC Wales, where he received attention from North American, South American, and European media.[1] In 2023, he was nominated for the Real Football Number Ones campaign, which was launched by Sky Bet to celebrate unsung heroes of British football.[1] He is considered one of the best examples of senior athletic longevity.[11] In 2024, Camsell signed with Llandudno Strollers FC.[12]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 Coleman, Tom (2023-04-28). "Meet the oldest goalkeeper in the world who's still going strong at 90". Wales Online. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
- 1 2 Lewis, Thomas (2023-04-12). "Goalkeeper, 89, overcomes hip and knee replacements to become 'world's oldest'". North Wales Live. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
- ↑ "The Penrhyn Bay football team with an 88-year-old goalkeeper". North Wales Pioneer. 2021-07-06. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
- 1 2 Gaston, George (2023-04-03). "'At 89 I plan to play on forever' - meet the oldest goalkeeper in the football league". The Mirror. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
- ↑ Lamptey, Edwin (2021-09-29). "Meet Alan Camsell the 88-Year-Old Goalkeeper Still Playing Active Football - YEN.COM.GH". yen.com.gh. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
- ↑ "The 88-year-old goalkeeper who still plays weekly". BBC News. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
- ↑ Stroud, James (2021-10-01). "Britain's oldest footballer: Meet Alan Camsell, 88, a goalkeeper who still loves the game". GiveMeSport. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
- ↑ "'What a legend': This 88-year-old man still plays football for his local club as a goalkeeper". www.timesnownews.com. 2021-10-06. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
- ↑ Otinga, Rene (2021-09-29). "Meet Alan Camsell, an 88-Year-Old Goalkeeper, Still Playing Active Football - Tuko.co.ke". www.tuko.co.ke. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
- ↑ "'Inspiring' 89-year-old Conwy goalkeeper nominated for unsung hero award!". North Wales Pioneer. 2023-04-11. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
- ↑ "VIDEO: At 90 Is Alan The World's Oldest Goalkeeper? - Walking Football Hub | Find Local Walking Football Clubs". 2023-12-03. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
- ↑ "Alan Camsell. New Signing - World's oldest goalkeeper". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2026-07-02.