Marine defender David Raven fears his side’s FA Cup defeat to Tottenham could be the last game of his career.
The 35-year-old, who made his first-team debut for Liverpool back in 2004, played 90 minutes in the historic tie which saw the biggest mismatch in the history of the famous cup competition.
Marine, an eighth-tier side, were not disgraced by a strong Tottenham XI that won 5-0 on Sunday.
What an @EmiratesFACup run. It's been quite a ride, thanks to all for joining us along the way. It's been amazing. #COYM— Marine Football Club (@MarineAFC) January 10, 2021
With the club’s Northern Premier Division North West League currently suspended because of the national lockdown, Raven’s playing days may be over.
“It looks like the league’s going to finish by all accounts,” he said. “That could well be our last game of the season. We don’t know yet.
“It could. If it was another lockdown like last time, another six months out of the game for myself, it might well be my last game.
“I’m going to be 36. Will I be able to play after another big rest? I’m not sure.
“Everything’s up in the air at the moment. If we’re going to finish, we’ve finished on a high and we’ll go again when the league starts up again. But it’s sad times for non-league. Real sad times.”
Credit to Spurs they weren’t too shabby 🤣, but I couldn’t be prouder of the team and club. An amazing run finally ends, but what memories we’ve made and people we’ve inspired, that’s what it’s all about. Thanks for the support it really means a lot #FACup#MarineFC— David Raven (@davidraven131) January 10, 2021
If that is to be the case Raven, who is currently a football coach at a private school in Ellesmere, will at least be able to say he kept a four-time Champions League winner quiet during his last game, as second-half substitute Gareth Bale was stopped from making a real impact.
The defender will look back on the experience fondly, even if he did not enjoy the match itself.
“The kids don’t know it now – I’ve got a three-year-old and my little girl’s seven on Monday – but it will be something to look back on,” he added.
“To say, ‘Yeah we did that’. It was enjoyable, they don’t appreciate it at the minute but it’s something for us to look back on.
“I think the whole run, the whole build-up, the fans coming down outside – it was more the experience of that.
“I knew the game wasn’t actually going to be enjoyable. I said that to my family.
“It was more the build-up and how you feel after. The game itself wasn’t actually enjoyable, you’re not on the ball, you’re just chasing, just trying to stay in the game against these boys.
“So it’s not actually an enjoyable experience. I mean we got a 5-0 hiding and I don’t like that. It doesn’t sit right with me. So it’s just more the experience for the club that we’ll look back on.”
