Former Fulham defender Ian Pearce has dropped ELEVEN divisions to continue playing this season.

Pearce, who won the league with Blackburn Rovers, pays to turn out for a village team - but gets a discount for being unemployed.

The defender, 34, who was in the top flight with Fulham until May, has dropped 11 divisions to keep playing.

He was given a free transfer after injury problems and has joined Oxted & District FC.

The multi-millionaire began at Oxted and now pays £2.50 match subs in the Surrey South Eastern Combination First Division - after his 50 per cent jobless reduction.

He scored on his debut on Saturday as Oxted beat Westminster Casuals 4-1 in front of a record crowd of 150.

Joint Manager Peter Green said: "I'm still pinching myself that he's signed for us.

"But he's just one of the lads and we're chuffed to have him around.

"He has come home to finish his playing days where it all started."