After nearly three decades on the touchline and more than 50 years devoted to the beautiful game, veteran football coach Joe Paggetti has officially stepped down from his role at Weirside Rangers AFC.

Now 87, Joe has been the driving force behind the club's veterans' side since 1996.

Speaking to Twickenham Nub News, Joe explained: "I just think I am about to turn 88 in a few weeks' time and it's about time somebody else took over.

"I just decided that it was always going to happen so why not now?

"In three weeks I'm going for a new hip, so I'm struggling a bit at the moment moving around, walking. I can't turn, run around like I used to – that's why I played my last game when I was 84."

Joe played his last football game when he was 84-years-old (credit: Image supplied).

Born in south east London in what he fondly calls "The Borough" – between Elephant and Castle and Borough Market – Joe's early years were steeped in sport.

His father was a professional boxer and sheet metal worker, and Joe followed closely behind until his mother told him to stop boxing for fear of ruining his "good looks."

"I didn't want to do anything at school. All I wanted to do was sport," Joe recalled. "I was the only kid in the school who represented all five sports – football, cricket, athletics, boxing and swimming."

After playing for four different clubs, Joe eventually found his way to Lensbury – which would later become Weirside Rangers after Shell ended its affiliation with field sports in 1999.

He was 48 when he joined the veterans' side, having previously played for Sutton High.

Joe by the touch line (credit: Image supplied).

Some of Joe's fondest memories from his time at the club are the overseas tours, which have taken him and his teammates across Europe.

"If I was to tell you all the countries we've toured, you'd be amazed," Joe said.

"Poland, Lithuania, Germany, Holland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Croatia, Bulgaria, Macedonia… and Kiev in Ukraine in 2019 for the club's centenary.

"We've been looked after wonderfully in all those countries. They are all good memories."

Despite his age, Joe supports the club in any way he cans, even when his team tell him to take it easy.

"My teammates are all a lot younger than me and they want to look after me like a father figure," he said. "I'm just pumping up balls on a Sunday morning and they're like, 'Joe, Joe, I'll do that.' But I can't take it easy. I'm a worker."

Though he's hanging up his clipboard, Joe isn't slowing down. A jazz fanatic, he now spends his time organising jazz gigs around the area and London.

"I'm mad about jazz. I run jazz gigs. At the moment I'm organising a big band tournament at The Exchange in Twickenham and a concert in memory of a wonderful drummer called Tony Kinsey – that's due to happen in July.

"I go to jazz here, there and everywhere. Mostly in Soho, but also plenty of local clubs too."

The veterans side from Weirside Rangers AFC (credit: Image supplied).

Looking ahead, Joe says he's hopeful for the future of Weirside Rangers: "I'm looking forward to the younger guys taking over. I hope they'll do even more – enlarge the squad, get more games in."

As he reflects on his time with the Teddington club, Joe attributes his success to someone dear to him off the pitch.

"None of what I have done in these past 50-plus years would have been possible without my wonderful and understanding wife," he added.

To find out more about Weirside Rangers AFC click here.

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