Bantams boss urges senior players to follow his example

The double change to bring on Paul Huntington and Corry Evans to see out City’s win at Tranmere was well in the veteran category.

Huntington was making his debut for the club at 37; Evans at 34 continuing his recovery from losing over a year of football to an ACL injury.

It didn’t quite match when a 39-year-old Steve Claridge played up front with 36-year-old Dean Windass in 2006 – but that is some mileage on the clock.

The recently-acquired free agents have added a vast amount of knowledge to a dressing room that already features its fair share of 30 somethings.

Andy Cook, celebrating his 34th birthday today, Richie Smallwood, both Walkers, Neill Byrne and Antoni Sarcevic are all in the age bracket that once used to be dismissed as the beginning of the end – and that’s without mentioning goalkeeper coach and back-up stopper Colin Doyle who turns 40 at the end of the season.

Starting to write players off when they pass 30 is very much a thing of the past in the modern game.

A glance at the scoresheet from Chesterfield’s draw with Notts County last week offered more proof that the senior brigade are very much still in their prime.

Paddy Madden and Will Grigg, aged 34 and 33 respectively, netted for the Spireites before 36-year-old David McGoldrick grabbed the stoppage-time equaliser.

City boss Graham Alexander remains the standard bearer for evergreen players squeezing every drop out of their careers. He continued until he was 40 to total an incredible 1,025 career games.

Graham Alexander celebrates his 1,000th game with Burnley teammates (Image: PA)

Alexander did not make his Premier League debut for Burnley until he was 37 – which was a record at the time.

That was also the age when assistant boss Chris Lucketti hung up his boots – the pair’s longevity setting a perfect example to their current squad about doing the right things on and off the pitch.

“I do use that as a reference point as my best years were in my 30s,” said Alexander.

“Miles better - my best years were from 35 onwards, I’ll be honest, at the highest level.

“I have to use that as a motivational tool for players because when you get to 30, everyone starts writing you off and chipping away at you. If you let it, they will and they’ll win.

“I go the opposite way and try to give the benefit of that experience to my players and say: ‘no, there’s a load of years left in you if you do the right things day in day out’.”

Cook, who was the oldest player in the side until Paul Huntington’s arrival, has kicked off the campaign in explosive fashion with nine goals already under his belt.

Skipper Smallwood, who is two months younger than the number nine, has also begun the season in excellent form.

Alexander added: “I’ve spoken about Andy Cook and Richie Smallwood is another brilliant example. I used both those players as an example to one of my young players recently.

David McGoldrick scored Notts County's equaliser at Chesterfield (Image: PA)

“You look at the amount of games they have played and haven’t missed a minute of training and they are out there every day. They have been doing this for 10 years.

“That’s the example and they help me do my job with other players.

“I want these players to have fulfilling careers where they look back and have great numbers and great experience and have absolutely ‘maxxed’ out.

“When they eventually leave the game, they can go, ‘I gave it my best shot, that’s it.’ “The only thing you regret is if you’re going, ‘I should have just done this or that.’ “We try and make them understand there’s good times ahead as well and they aren’t all in the (rearview) mirror.”

Alexander has previously spoken about how Cook returned for pre-season in fantastic condition. He feels the striker is reaping the rewards for all that hard work.

“Between 35 and 40 were my best years because I did more. I tried to add things to my training regime myself, do more in the gym and recover longer.

“I insisted on training every single day. I didn’t want any special dispensation and we don’t give Cooky anyway.

Andy Cook turns 34 today as League Two's top scorer (Image: Tom Pearson)

“I think it’s a quicker road to retirement. You’ve got to go at it hammer and tongs.

“I spoke to Cooky about all these things in January or February about prolonging your career and enjoying what you’re doing.

“He absolutely loves it so why not do everything you can to extend it for another three, four, five, six, seven years. I’m not putting a limit on it.

“He’s taken that on board but it’s him that does the work. We can only advise and try and help.

“Ultimately it comes down to the player and his devotion to his career.”