'The pinnacle of my career'

11:53am Friday 11th April 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

Corinthian Casuals skipper Chris Horwood admits leading his side out at Wembley for their showpiece friendly with AFC Wimbledon on Sunday will be the pinnacle of his career.

Horwood, Casuals' longest-serving current player, having spent nine years at the club, has been involved in numerous relegation dogfights over the years as the amateurs have looked to preserve their Ryman League status.

And the 28-year-old is determined to enjoy his day in the spotlight.

Horwood said: "It is going to be fantastic. It will be absolutely brilliant for everybody involved in the club, and I wouldn't swap it for anything in the world.

"We are taking a big squad to get as many people involved as possible."

A carpenter by trade, Horwood first arrived at King George's Field as an 18-year-old when he followed current manager Brian Adamson from Banstead Athletic.

And the burly central defender, who has since made more than 200 first team appearances for the club, has led from the front this season to take Casuals to their highest points tally in their Ryman League existence.

He admits he has heard whispers of approaches from other clubs about acquiring his services, but insists he is more than happy to continue playing his football for free.

He added: "You come up against lads being paid week in, week out, and it gives you a real lift when you beat these sides.

"Leaving the club has never come into my mind.

"I play for Corinthian Casuals for the love of it - I would much rather be part of the atmosphere we have here rather than just play football for the money."

Horwood readily agrees the rigours of the game have taken their toll on his body, but he is adamant he has no intention of retiring in the near future.

He said: "I would love to keep playing for as high a standard as possible for as long as possible.

"But I always get a lot of aches and pains and it doesn't get any easier!"

The stopper has found it difficult to concentrate on work with the game looming so large.

He said: "I have been trying hard not to think about the game too much as, in my line of work, if you don't fully concentrate you are asking for trouble!

"But you do not want to just go and play at Wembley and get turned over so, on the day, we will all be giving it 100 per cent."