Latest news with #JeffersonLouis
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Legendary journeyman finally retires at 46 after playing more than 900 games for 52 clubs
A legendary journeyman in football has finally called time on his career after playing more than 900 games for 52 different clubs. Jefferson Louis, who featured for the likes of Oxford, Stevenage and Wrexham, started his playing days back in 1996 with Risborough Rangers, before embarking on the ultimate journeyman career. His final club was Thame United, who the forward played 54 times for before hanging up his boots. The most time he ever spent at a club was two seasons, and he one placed for five clubs in one year in 2011, playing for Gainsborough Trinity, Darlington, Weymouth, Hayes & Yeading, Maidenhead and Brackley all in the calendar year. More of his clubs included Lincoln, Newport and Crawley, but he spent almost all of his career in non-league also turning out once for the Dominica national side in a World Cup qualifier. Although he has waved goodbye to his playing days, he is remaining in football, with the 46-year-old now taking up a role as assistant first team coach at Slough Town. Louis once claimed his journeyman status had worked against him. He said: 'People say he must be a rebel, Jefferson must have been rude. 'It's tarnished me. Some managers think I must be a bad apple.' His new boss, though - Slough head coach Scott Davies - is backing him to be a success in the dugout. 'Football these days for me is more about mentality than ability,' he said. 'Every player at the level has ability which has allowed them to get to this point, but it's so important that we, as a management team, can tap into their psychological side too. 'Throughout the season, individuals will need one-to-one chats when things aren't going as well as they may have hoped. 'And I strongly believe that with myself, Yella and now Jefferson joining the group, we've got all bases covered with the wealth of experience we have that we can now give back to the players.'
Wales Online
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Football's most-travelled player finally retires aged 46 after more than 50 transfers
Football's most-travelled player finally retires aged 46 after more than 50 transfers Jefferson Louis has finally decided to hang up his boots at the age of 46 after a career in which he played for 51 different clubs, including Wrexham and Newport Jefferson Louis, who once lined up against Arsenal, has finally retired (Image:) Football's ultimate journeyman, Jefferson Louis, is hanging up his boots after an extraordinary career that saw him change clubs 51 times. Announcing his retirement at the age of 46, he bows out following a stint with non-league outfit Thame United. Louis' 29-year football career features a lengthy roll call of clubs so numerous that even he once confessed to forgetting some. He began his career in 1996, making his debut for Risborough Rangers, aged just 17. He mostly played in the lower echelons of the football pyramid where he played for the likes of Wrexham, Oxford United, and Lincoln City, as well as stints at Newport County, Bristol Rovers, and Mansfield Town. Some of the most memorable moments of his career included taking on Arsenal with Oxford United in an FA Cup third round match in 2003 and representing Dominica internationally. Following his fourth tenure at Thame United, Louis has decided it's finally time to conclude his playing days. In a heartfelt post on X, Louis said: "A young boy that had a dream, and I lived it, but it's now time to call it a day! To go to the age of 46 is something I'm hugely proud of. Massive thanks to my former managers, team-mates and fans that have supported me throughout. Now to give back to the next generation." Thame United honoured him with a statement sharing his impressive stats. Over nearly three decades, Louis played a staggering 903 games, scoring 293 times. Article continues below Jefferson Louis, who made his name with Oxford United, has retired from football (Image:) The club said: "Jefferson spent four years at Thame and finishes his career leaving with three Oxfordshire Senior Cups. A massive congratulations on an amazing career Jeff, from everyone at Thame United and we wish you all the best for the future." In a 2014 interview with The Telegraph, Louis discussed the challenges of his journeyman career. He said "It's like I'm cursed. When I signed for Wrexham, [manager] Dean Saunders said, 'I wish I had you when you was young. You'd be a Premiership player now.' "For them to say this makes me think, wow. Something went wrong for me, innit? People say he must be a rebel, Jefferson must have been rude. And it's tarnished me. Some managers think I must be a bad apple." Louis' past includes some controversial episodes. He spent a short spell in jail for dangerous driving when he was 22. And during his time with Wrexham, he raised eyebrows with an X-rated interview given to Setanta Sports during a match against Altrincham. When asked why he'd been substituted, he said: "I was f***ed." Jefferson Louis, pictured playing for Wealdstone, has led a nomadic existence in football (Image:) He recounted a particularly grim spell under the management of Scottish football boss Steve Evans at Crawley Town. "It was the worst thing I ever did," Louis said. "His man-management is terrible. We're playing AFC Wimbledon on the Tuesday. After the game he asked my opinion. "I said we went a bit too negative. He went mental at me. He started effing and blinding, spitting everywhere. But he asked my opinion." Louis has since discovered joy in teaching children who have been expelled from mainstream education. Despite facing some difficult times, he maintains that he harbours no regrets about his professional journey. Article continues below "I'm just happy with what I achieved," he said. "I played international football. I met my idol Thierry Henry. I've been back page in a newspaper. That's what I try and drill into the kids at school. Don't have no regrets."
BBC News
6 days ago
- General
- BBC News
After 28 years & 51 moves Louis finally retires
Footballing journeyman Jefferson Louis has called time on his long career after 28 years and 51 transfers. The 46-year-old debuted for Risborough Rangers in 1996 at the age of 17, marking the start of a long career in lower-league English football. He has had three spells at Thame United, where he was most recently before his career he also spent time at Oxford United, Mansfield Town, Wrexham, Crawley Town, Lincoln City and so many more. "It was a dream for me to become a professional footballer," Louis told BBC Radio Oxford."I played at some great grounds and with some great players, later on I met some lovely people on my travels and that motivated me later in my career."I have a good circle of friends that have really encouraged me to overcome the dark days and strive for more, I've played for a long time and I must be doing something right as I've still to this day had more managers ask me to come play for them."Louis scored 10 goals in 64 appearances for Oxford United and was well remembered for scoring a winning header against Swindon Town in the FA Cup second round in goal saw the U's draw his boyhood club Arsenal at Highbury in round three, where they went on to lose 2-0."Before the game (against Swindon) I didn't realise the level of hate between the two sides," Louis said. "I've never heard the Kassam so loud on that day, when I scored it was a great feeling and then after the game it hit me what I had done."And in the next round we got drawn against Arsenal it was a moment I will never forget and I will tell my little boy about, I can't describe deep down how it felt."When we went to Highbury that was so special, I came onto the pitch with both the Oxford and Arsenal fans shouting my name, I won't forget it." New chapter at Slough Town Since retiring from the game, Louis has now taken up a coaching role with Slough Town FC and will be their assistant head coach., externalThe Rebels said that he would mainly work with the club's strikers but also provide some valuable mentorship to some of their younger players. Louis previously played for Slough, making five appearances for them between 2022 and 2023. He also had a role as a performance coach at the club in the summer of 2023. "The boots are staying in the closet, I won't play again," Louis added."Aside from showing the guys on the pitch what to do in training I'm going to take a rest from playing."Away from football, Louis does work at a pupil referral centre for school children that have been excluded from schools. He spent a short period of time in prison when he was 22 for dangerous driving."I say to kids that everyone has to make mistakes to learn," Louis said. "I tell them that I've made mistakes and I'm still learning every day because I'm open to it, I've lived it so I can understand them better. "I feel like when I help one child it is like scoring a goal, I feel on top of the world because I want them to live to their true potential and it's important for them to live up to their dream, it's so rewarding for me."
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mirror
Football's ultimate journeyman finally retires aged 46 after over 50 transfers
Jefferson Louis has lived a nomadic life in football, playing for dozens of clubs during his 29-year career, but the veteran striker has now finally decided to retire Football's ultimate journeyman is finally hanging up his boots after changing clubs 51 times during his career. Jefferson Louis has announced his decision to retire at the age of 46 after most recently starring for non-league side Thame United. The striker has represented a list of clubs so extensive during his 29-year spell in football that even he has previously admitted to losing count. Louis started out back in 1996 when he made his debut for Risborough Rangers at the age of 17. Since then he has shifted around the lower divisions of English football, turning out for the likes of Wrexham, Oxford United and Lincoln City. His former clubs also include Newport County, Bristol Rovers and Mansfield Town. Louis' career highlights include lining up against Arsenal for Oxford United in an FA Cup third round tie in 2003 and playing for the Caribbean island of Dominica. However, he has now confirmed the end of his playing career following his fourth stint with Thame United. Posting on X, Louis said: "A young boy that had a dream, and I lived it, but it's now time to call it a day! To go to the age of 46 is something I'm hugely proud of. Massive thanks to my former managers, team-mates and fans that have supported me throughout. Now to give back to the next generation." According to a statement from his most recent team, Thame United, Louis played 903 games in total during almost three decades in football, scoring 293 goals. The club said: "Jeff, who has had four stints at Thame United, has announced that he is retiring from competitive football A staggering 903 competitive games of football, with 293 goals to his name across a number of teams. "Jefferson spent four years at Thame and finishes his career leaving with three Oxfordshire Senior Cups. A massive congratulations on an amazing career Jeff, from everyone at Thame United and we wish you all the best for the future." Louis talked extensively about the drawbacks of his nomadic existence during an interview with The Telegraph back in 2014. He said: "It's like I'm cursed. When I signed for Wrexham, [manager] Dean Saunders said, 'I wish I had you when you was young. You'd be a Premiership player now.' "For them to say this makes me think, wow. Something went wrong for me, innit? People say he must be a rebel, Jefferson must have been rude. And it's tarnished me. Some managers think I must be a bad apple." Louis' career has not been without its controversies. He spent a short spell in prison at the age of 22 for dangerous driving. And while playing for Wrexham, he gave an X-rated touchline interview to Setanta Sports after being substituted during a game against Altrincham. When asked why he was brought off, he said: "I was f***ed." He said playing for Scottish football manager Steve Evans at Crawley Town was another low point. "It was the worst thing I ever did," Louis said. "His man-management is terrible. We're playing AFC Wimbledon on the Tuesday. After the game he asked my opinion. "I said we went a bit too negative. He went mental at me. He started effing and blinding, spitting everywhere. But he asked my opinion." In more recent years, Louis has found enjoyment in teaching children who have been excluded from school. And despite some tough experiences, he insists he has no regrets about his career. "I'm just happy with what I achieved," he said. "I played international football. I met my idol Thierry Henry. I've been back page in a newspaper. That's what I try and drill into the kids at school. Don't have no regrets."
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Legendary journeyman footballer finally retires at 46 after playing more than 900 times for FORTY-TWO clubs
He has not quit football for good just yet GAME OVER Legendary journeyman footballer finally retires at 46 after playing more than 900 times for FORTY-TWO clubs Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LEGENDARY football journeyman Jefferson Louis has retired at the age of 46 after playing over 900 times for 42 clubs. The iconic striker had been slogging it out on the field since 1996 with Risborough Rangers. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Iconic journeyman Jefferson Louis has retired from playing Credit: PA:Empics Sport 4 The 46-year-old spent nearly 30 years playing for 42 different teams Credit: PA:Empics Sport Louis' travels saw him play for an incredible 42 sides, including Oxford United, Bristol Rovers and Wrexham. He was most recently playing Thame United in the Southern League Division One Central. But after 903 career appearances, and more than FIFTY transfers, Louis has finally retired. However, fans will be pleased to hear that he hasn't quit football for good. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL MASS EXODUS Fulham release 13 players including former Arsenal and Chelsea star Willian That's because he has immediately taken an assistant coaching role at Slough Town, who compete in England's sixth tier in the National League South. Louis made five appearances there as a player in 2023. During that time, he also worked as a performance coach for teammates. And manager Scott Davies believes Louis has the right skills to become a hit in the dugout. BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS He declared: 'Football these days for me is more about mentality than ability. 'Every player at the level has ability which has allowed them to get to this point, but it's so important that we, as a management team can tap into their psychological side too. Where are they now: The unusual careers of former footballers 4 Louis was transferred over 50 times as he clocked up 903 appearances Credit: PA:Press Association 4 The ace has now taken up a new job as assistant coach at Slough Town Credit: Getty Images - Getty 'Throughout the season, individuals will need one-to-one chats when things aren't going as well as they may have hoped. "And I strongly believe that with myself, Yella and now Jefferson joining the group, we've got all bases covered with the wealth of experience we have that we can now give back to the players.' Slough fans reacted with delight at the news. One said 'Class this, great gaffer to learn off.' Another declared: 'Superb appointment, welcome back.' One noted: 'Absolutely love this, welcome Louis.' Another added: 'So much experience and knowledge at this level.'
