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At 82 years old, Leo Gottesman continues to participate actively as the goalkeeper for a six-a-side football team based in Barnet, a remarkable commitment he has maintained for over 40 years. Since 1981, he has been not only playing but also organizing the weekly matches, demonstrating a passion for the sport that has endured through decades.
Leo’s involvement with the team at Powerleague Barnet has seen many players come and go over the years, including his own son. Despite his advanced age, he remains a constant presence on the pitch every Sunday, a testament to his dedication. Reflecting on his football journey, Gottesman shared, “I played football at school, naturally, although I wasn’t a goalkeeper at the time. Then I stopped playing until I was 35 years of age but I have been playing six-a-side football ever since.”
Even after experiencing a heart attack 25 years ago, when medical advice suggested he should stop playing, Leo’s love for the game brought him back onto the field after a brief hiatus. He said, “I stopped for about two or three months – but I love the game so much, I just had to continue.” His teammates recognize not only his skill but also his role as a source of inspiration. Fellow player Rex Cooper remarked, “He’s got so much experience, his positioning is incredible and so he’s difficult to score past. Leo is a very passionate and reliable person and he’s a role model for all of us.”
Beyond his duties between the posts, Gottesman handles much of the team’s administrative work, including managing player attendance, booking pitches, collecting subscriptions, and even washing the team kits. Henry Thorpe-Spinks, who has played alongside Leo for 13 years, acknowledged the unique nature of their goalkeeper: “I don’t know any other football game where they’ve got a goalkeeper who’s not only that age but also has been playing for 40-odd years and been running it.” Leo emphasized that key qualities of a great goalkeeper involve flexibility and anticipation, characteristics he continues to exhibit every week
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