After 28 years & 51 moves, veteran Louis retires at 46

After 28 years and 51 transfers, Jefferson Louis, a pioneer in football, has called it quits on his long, distinguished career.

The 46-year-old made his professional debut for the Risborough Rangers in 1996 at the age of 17; this marked the start of a distinguished career in lower-league English football.

Prior to his retirement, he spent three seasons with Thame United.

He also spent time at Lincoln City, Mansfield Town, Oxford United, Mansfield Town, Wrexham, Crawley Town, Mansfield Town, and many others throughout his career.

For Louis, “It was my dream to play football professionally,” Louis said on BBC Radio Oxford.

I later met some lovely people while traveling, and that inspired me to pursue a career there. I later played on some fantastic grounds and with some fantastic players.

I’ve played professionally for a long time and I must be doing something right because I’ve still had more managers ask me to come play for them. “I have a good circle of friends that really encouraged me to overcome the dark days and strive for more.

Louis was well-known for his winning header against Swindon Town in the FA Cup second round in 2002, which earned him 10 goals in 64 appearances for Oxford United.

The U’s were able to draw their former team Arsenal at Highbury in the third round, which they then lost 2-0.

Before the game [against Swindon], I wasn’t aware of how much hatred existed between the two sides, Louis said.

On that day, I’ve never heard the Kassam so loud; when I scored, it was wonderful, and it later hit me with what I had done.

“And when we were drawn against Arsenal in the following round, it was a moment I will never forget, and I will share it with my little boy. I can’t fully explain how it felt.

He was expected to work with the club’s strikers in particular, but he also promised to give some of their younger players valuable mentorship.

Louis made five appearances for Slough between 2022 and 2023. In the summer of 2023, he also served as the club’s performance coach.

The closet holds the boots, according to Louis. “I won’t play them again.”

I’m going to take a break from playing, according to the pitchmen, “aside from showing them what to do in training.”

Louis also volunteers at a pupil referral center for school-aged children who have been expelled from the classrooms.

When he was 22 years old, he was imprisoned for dangerous driving.

Every person must make mistakes in order to learn, Louis said.

I tell them that I’ve made mistakes and that I’m learning them because I’ve lived them so I can better understand them.