Golden Oldies: Tahir Bhatti — Still Competing After More Than 20 Years

Football is often called a young person’s game, but Saturday morning football has plenty of players proving that experience, enthusiasm and a love of competing don’t come with an expiry date.

That is what our Golden Oldies series is about — putting the spotlight on the experienced players who are still pulling on the boots and contributing to their teams.

We start with Tahir Bhatti of Glasgow Ansar, a creative attacking player who has spent more than 20 years around the Glasgow Colleges Saturday Morning setup and still has no intention of giving it up.

Why keep coming back?

After more than two decades, Tahir says the desire to test himself has never disappeared. He also believes the standard and organisation of the Saturday morning setup has helped keep him coming back.

“The challenge of wanting to compete at a good level. I have found that the Saturday morning league is one of the better-run and competitive leagues.

“Also, importantly now, is to try and give some help to Ansar management and the team in some capacity.”

That perhaps says something about how his role has developed. It is still about playing and competing, but after so many years there is also a desire to use that experience to help Glasgow Ansar.

So what’s the secret?

Tahir still plays plenty of football. Alongside his Saturday commitments, he regularly plays 5-a-side and 7-a-side and turns out on Sundays for Giffnock Soccer Centre 40s.

His secret to keeping going, however, is rather simpler than any complicated fitness regime.

“The secret… make sure that the team is full of younger guys who can run for you 😅.

“The social aspect, playing football with friends and believing that you still have something positive to offer makes you enjoy the game.”

Watching the league change

Having spent more than 20 years around the Saturday morning setup, Tahir has also watched plenty change around him. New teams have arrived, others have moved on, but he believes the competitive nature of the league has remained.

“The positives are the league, the setup and having a lot of new teams coming through. The league has always been tough and competitive. It’s good to see that they’ve been able to maintain it consistently.”

Still enjoying the privilege

For Tahir, though, continuing to play isn’t really about proving a point about age. It is about appreciating that he can still pull on the boots, compete and enjoy his football across both days of the weekend.

“A privilege to still be able to play amateur football for Ansar and over-40s for Giffnock, and I hope to keep going for as long as I possibly can.”

More than 20 years after he first became part of the Saturday morning setup, that desire to keep playing perhaps tells the story better than anything else.

Tahir isn’t looking back on his football days just yet.

He’s still living them.

Nominate Your Golden Oldie

There are more players like Tahir across the Saturday morning setup, each with their own football story.

If your club has an experienced player who is still pulling on the boots, contributing to the team and refusing to call time on playing, we’d love to hear about them.

Send us their name, club and a little bit about their story — and they could be next to feature in Golden Oldies.