Former Diss Town and Debenham LC forward Stuart Jopling still producing the goods for Haughley United

He may turn 46 next month, but former Diss Town and Debenham LC forward Stuart Jopling has no plans to hang up his boots just yet.

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic calling an early halt to the 2019/20 campaign, the well-travelled frontman had been turning out for Haughley United in the Macron Suffolk & Ipswich League Senior Division.

And as his four goals from 13 appearances highlights, Jopling is still capable of producing the goods.

The saying goes that you are a long time retired, so as long as he can continue to contribute on the pitch, Jopling plans to play on.

“It is becoming a bit harder at my age and after you have played 90 minutes, your body lets you know about it,” he said.

“But I still have that buzz when it comes to playing and I still love being out on the pitch battling with centre-halves.

“We obviously don’t know when football will be back and so I cannot say for certain, but while I can still contribute and help my side pick up a result, I want to keep playing.

“As a goalscorer, if you lose your legs there are other ways you can make a difference.

“You can hold the ball up, get assists and weigh in with a few goals. Those are ways you can still impact on games.

“It is when you cannot keep up with the pace of a game, your touch and confidence goes – that is when it is time to stop, but I’m not at that point.”

Jopling has scored goals for a host of clubs down the years, with the likes of Needham Market, Witham Town, Mildenhall Town, Stowmarket Town and Hadleigh United on his CV.

However, it was his stint at Debenham during the mid-to-late 2000s where he felt at his sharpest.

Jopling was part of the Hornets side that hosted AFC Wimbledon in the FA Cup, as well as scoring 39 goals during their promotion-winning campaign of 2008/09 under Mel Aldis.

“I felt good the year we were promoted with Needham, but I was probably at my best at Debenham,” said the striker who also netted 29 goals for Diss in the Eastern Counties Premier Division back in 2003/04.

“That was when I truly felt like I knew what I was doing as a centre-forward. Scoring goals has never been a problem whoever I have played for, but even if you are scoring 30 a season, there are still things you can add to your game. I started to do that at Debenham.

“We had some great times there and it was a great bunch of lads. We had players with good reputations and then some exciting youngsters. There wasn’t any egos and it was a good mix.

“And Mel was great. He could make any player feel a million dollars and he made playing for Debenham fun. He certainly got the best out of me.”