The National League often attracts players in the autumn of their career, as some players drop down the leagues into the fifth tier of the English game. Many older players have been successful in the National League. However, who are the oldest players to score in the National League?
Paul Furlong (42 years, 03 months and 22 days for Kettering Town)
The former Chelsea and QPR striker scored at the age of 42 years, three months and 22 days for Kettering in a 3-0 win over Eastbourne Borough on January 22nd 2011.
Furlong scored just five goals in his 27 games in five appearances that season. Incredibly, the forward continued to play for St Albans City the following season, scoring six goals in 22 appearances.
Jamie Cureton (41 years, 01 month and 27 days for Eastleigh FC)
Cureton made his name with the likes of Bristol Rovers and Norwich City before eventually dropping down to non-League football towards the back end of his career.
The veteran forward scored a goal for Eastleigh in a 3-0 home win over Torquay United at the age of 41 years, one month and 27 days.
Amazingly, the forward only ended his career in October 2023, having featured for Enfield in season 2022/23 at the age of 48.
Peter Clarke (41 years, one month and 25 days for Oldham Athletic)
The centre-back scored at the age of 41 years, one month and 25 days for Oldham Athletic in a 3-1 victory over Barnet on February 28th, 2023.
The former Everton youngster extended his career by joining sixth-tier Warrington Town ahead of the 2023/24 season.
Michael Doyle (39 years, two months and two days for Notts County)
The Irish midfielder scored in a 4-2 home win over Barnet at the age of 39 years, two months and two days on October 10th 2020.
Doyle finished his football career with County in 2022, starting his professional career at Scottish giants Celtic in 1998.
Andy Morrell (39 years, one month and 26 days for Wrexham)
The forward is regarded as a Wrexham icon, having enjoyed two periods with the Welsh club. Morrell scored at the age of 39 years, one month and 26 days for Wrexham in a 2-0 home win over Forest Green on November 23rd 2013.
The Doncaster-born forward also featured for Tamworth and Redditch United in non-league before retiring from playing in 2018.
Alex Russell (39 years and 28 days for Bath City)
The central midfielder struck his effort for Bath City in a 2-2 draw against Darlington at the age of 39 years and 28 days on April 14th 2012.
The effort was Russell’s only goal in 31 appearances for City. He finished his playing career at Clevedon Town in season 2011/12.
Nathan Tyson (39 years and 25 days for Chesterfield)
The former England under-20 international started his professional career at Reading before a journeyman career and dropping down to the National League with Chesterfield. With the Spireites, he scored at the age of 39 and 25 days in a 2-1 win over FC Halifax Town on May 29th 2021.
At the time of writing, the forward is still registered as a player at semi-professional outfit Long Eaton United.
Alan Wright (38 years, 11 months and 28 days for Fleetwood Town)
The full-back made his name at the likes of Blackpool, Blackburn and, most memorably, Aston Villa before ending his playing career at Fleetwood Town in 2011. His goal came for the north west outfit against Bath City in a 2-1 victory on September 25th 2010.
It was one of only two goals in 55 league appearances he made for Town.
Craig Dundas (38 years, ten months and 16 days for Sutton United)
Dundas enjoyed a successful career in non-league football, with his most notable spell coming in an eight-year stint with Sutton United. The striker scored his final National League goal at the age of 38 years, ten months and 16 days for Sutton in a 6-2 home win over Woking on New Year’s Day 2020.
The following season, Dundas made his Football League debut at the age of 40, which made him the oldest player to ever debut in the EFL.
Lee Hughes (38 years, ten months and 06 days for Kidderminster Harriers)
The forward spent the majority of his football career in the Football League, with the highlight being appearing for West Brom in the Premier League in season 2002/03. However, he failed to find the net, and his team suffered relegation.
As he got older, Hughes dropped through the football pyramid and eventually ended up in the National League. The goal that got him on this list came on March 28th 2015, for Kidderminster in a 3-1 home win over Braintree Town.