At 50, Craig Kirby, an amateur footballer from Lancashire, sees his match videos go viral on social media. His latest clip, posted from the sidelines by his wife Lindsay, has already garnered over 340,000 views. A success that adds to a long series, including a video with over 2.9 million views titled “Well beaten today. Not bad for 50.”
A talent that defies time
Craig Kirby, whose white hair sets him apart from other players, had trials with Blackburn Rovers as a teenager. But his path took another turn: after joining the army, he went on to have opportunities at Cambridge United and Kettering, though without professional success. Today, he plays for Vauxhall Motors in the Cheshire Veterans League Premier Division, facing former pros like Papiss Cissé, who has praised his left foot. “I’m even doing hill sprints this season to gain speed,” he says. His posts on TikTok and Instagram, under the handle “Football at 50,” have around 30,000 followers each. He shares match highlights, training sessions, and skill challenges like juggling or control drills. “I prefer to highlight technique and passing over the unnecessary conflicts of amateur football,” he explains. The result? Praise pours in, with some comparing him to Zinedine Zidane or holding him up as an example for people in their fifties.
Football, a breath of fresh air after tragedy
Craig Kirby nearly quit football after the death of his son Sebastian, 20, in December 2023 while serving in the Royal Air Force in Norway. “He was so full of positivity,” Kirby says. It was his wife who encouraged him to keep playing, filming his matches. “We thought only a few close friends would watch, but one video topped a million views. Everything has changed since then.” Football has become an outlet for Kirby, who also openly addresses mental health in his videos. “Many people have told me they’ve lost everything to grief, turning to drugs or alcohol. I’ve always had positive ways to cope,” he says. He has even been called up to the England Over-50s squad, where he hopes to earn his first official cap in Thailand later this year. “Wearing the England shirt is a privilege,” he admits.
A message of hope for seniors and young people
Kirby advocates for sport to remain accessible at all ages, without excessive pressure on young people. "We put too much pressure on children to join academies. I just loved putting on my cleats and playing with my friends, even sometimes without a ball," he says. He encourages everyone to "just do things," even if the effort seems difficult. "The real challenge is thinking about taking action. I run even when I don't feel like it." His latest challenge? Watching the England-Germany over-75s match, held on the anniversary of the 1966 World Cup final. How long does he plan to keep going? "I'll stop when someone overtakes me while laughing!"
Sophie Bartega · 29 août 2026 · 3 min de lecture
