Football: It's hello and goodbye for Rebel Claridge (From The Argus)

Football: It's hello and goodbye for Rebel Claridge

11:45am Wednesday 17th January 2007 in Sport By Mike Donovan

Steve Claridge believes he played his first and last match for Ryman premier division side Worthing last night.

Claridge, 40, helped the Rebels snatch a late point in a 1-1 draw with AFC Wimbledon.

The veteran striker, who has played for 16 League clubs and made 1,000 appearances professional appearances, lasted the 90 minutes.

He said "I enjoyed myself. I came because I wanted to play football.

"We were up against a decent side who had beaten Gravesend in the FA Trophy on Saturday.

"But we deserved our point. The players did not stop trying.

"It was an adjustment for me because I have been used to playing with very good players.

"But I think this is a one-off for me. That was the premise on which I came."

Claridge, who had played just one game in nine months before last night, certainly did not let his side down and hit the bar in the first half.

He also played a part in the late equaliser scored by Mark Knee, who was playing his 400th game for Worthing, having broken the club's all-time appearance record last week.