By Daniel Noble
LINFIELD legend Jamie Mulgrew has revealed next season could be his last in football, with the Blues captain set to celebrate his 40th birthday tomorrow.
Bangor native Mulgrew has been plying his trade with the Windsor Park club since he made the switch from bitter rivals Glentoran back in 2005.
Since then, he has gone on to play more than 750 games for the club, trailing only Noel Bailie in the all-time appearance list, scoring 48 goals and winning 11 Irish Premiership titles, seven Irish Cups, five Irish League Cups and three County Antrim Shields.
The 2009/10 season brought Mulgrew the Linfield player of the year award, while the 2016/17 campaign was his most successful individually, receiving the NI Football Writers’ Association player of the year and Ulster footballer of the year accolades.
Although the Blues scooped a cup double last season, they will have been disappointed to miss out on retaining the league title and while Mulgrew was frustrated by injuries at times, he recovered to end the season on a high.
The veteran midfielder featured in 27 matches in all competitions and played his part in his side’s Irish League Cup final success against the Glens, before guiding them back into Europe with a UEFA Conference League playoff triumph over Dungannon Swifts.
Now, on the eve of his 40th birthday, the twice-capped Northern Ireland international is looking towards the future, considering hanging up his boots after one last hurrah with Linfield.
“I signed a one-year contract extension three weeks before the end of the season. My focus has been about getting over the injuries, training consistenly and playing more games, hence why we’ve agreed I would stay on for another year,” he explained.
“I would imagine it’s realistic to say this will be my last season, but you never know. I’ve signed a few one-year contracts in recent years, so I take it one year at a time, see how my body reacts and if I’m still at the level that’s required.”
Not many footballers continue playing into their 40s, but Mulgrew is more concerned with the good of the team, rather than personal milestones.
“It’s just like any other season really. I always make sure to do what I’m supposed to be doing to try and compete. Last season didn’t go as we would have wanted, so it’s about reacting and addressing that,” he stated.
“I wouldn’t class myself as a selfish person and it’s not really about what I personally want to achieve.
“We’re Linfield and we’re expected to win the league on a regular basis. Whether that’s realistic or not, with the finances going around at other clubs, it won’t stop us from setting that goal for ourselves.”
Many would expect Mulgrew to pursue coaching or management post playing career, which seems like a natural transition for someone who has captained his club for 10 years, but that may not be the case.
Although he already holds the required coaching badges, operates after school club provider Supreme Sports and is set to complete his UEFA Pro Licence, a role in the men’s game may not be on the cards.
Speaking on his future plans, Mulgrew added: “I don’t know what could be next. I finish my pro licence in September, and that’s the highest achievement you can get as a coach, but I’m pretty relaxed about it all.
“I have my own business, so I’m not relying on football or becoming a coach after I finish playing, and although I enjoy coaching and being involved in the sport, I’m pretty relaxed and content about it all.”
