Former Wimbledon and Chelsea goalkeeper Dave Beasant almost made a pro playing comeback yesterday for Stevenage Borough.
Beasant, 55, was named on the bench for Stevenage's clash with Carlisle United yesterday.
The club's goalkeeping coach would have become the oldest player to ever appear in the Football League had he come on, beating a record set by Neil McBain who appeared as a 51-year-old for New Brighton against Hartlepool in 1947.
Beasant, who saved a John Aldridge penalty in Wimbledon's famous 1988 FA Cup final win over Liverpool, was chosen by Stevenage manager Graham Westley to provide cover for Chris Day.
Westley said: "He's been absolutely brilliant on the training ground. He's fit and in good shape and at 55 the whole squad feel that as back-up he is someone they can trust and an option on the bench.
"Had he been used I have no doubt he would have done exceptionally well."
