The ex-England striker, Rangers forward, and Premier League stalwart who have found a home at the Nomads | OneFootball

Ex-England striker David Nugent, Rangers forward Martyn Waghorn and Premier League stalwart Jack Colback have found a home at Anstey Nomads. The amateur Leicestershire side offer football for love, not money.

“I was only 36 when I retired, but I was ready,” he says. “I couldn’t wait to put my boots down.” He was speaking to The Athletic.

Earlier this week former Sunderland, Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest midfielder Jack Colback retired at 36 after nearly 500 senior games, including 189 in the Premier League. Yet last month he featured for Nomads at Belper Town, his first outing of the season. A hamstring ended it after 45 minutes and he could return when fit.

Waghorn equalised deep into added time that day. He has played 527 games. After a December 2024 cameo for Northampton, he joined the Baller League and, since Christmas, has kept a promise to Nomads.

Manager Conrad Logan, a 2016 Scottish Cup winner with Hibernian, made nearly 300 professional appearances, while assistant Nugent played just under 700 and scored on his England debut in 2007. He would only play in an emergency.

Logan says Waghorn helped bring Colback in and that the midfielder had missed the butterflies before a match. He calls the feeling addictive and praises their influence on a young group.

Carlton Town won 2-0 at the Marks Electrical Arena, so Nomads now chase the play-offs. Colback has not ruled out playing again, and Nugent reckons Waghorn can still operate as a No 10.

Source: NY Times