Chatting to Sam Foley you’re very conscious of not making everything about his age.
A career that began at Cheltenham Town back in 2006 that has since seen him rack up 672 competitive senior appearances in the game, winning everything from the Conference South title to promotion to the Championship with Yeovil Town, Foley turned 40 last week.
On Tuesday night he scored goal number 80 a glancing header from a corner to restore parity against Marine before he and his fellow Chester teammates went on to seal a late 2-1 success thanks to a smart finish from Jefferson Abreu.
That goal made Foley the second oldest goalscorer in Chester history at 40 years and 11 days, behind Stan Pearson netting at Exeter City on April 11, 1959 at 40 years and 91 days.
For Foley he acknowledges he is Chester’s elder statesman, but he is quick to clarify that he isn’t at the Deva Community Stadium just to be some fatherly figure to the younger players. He wants to play, and having played two 90-minute games in four days, and having been a positive impact in the middle of the pitch where his experience and quality has been telling, is a testament to his mindset.
