Noarlunga United goalkeeper Fraser McLean considers retirement after playing 450th Federation game

AFTER 25 seasons, countless saves and a record number of senior Federation matches, Noarlunga United soccer veteran Fraser McLean is preparing for what may be his swansong.

End in sight for 450-game veteran

AFTER 25 seasons, countless saves and a record number of senior Federation matches, Noarlunga United soccer veteran Fraser McLean is preparing for what may be his swansong.

The 43-year-old goalkeeper is considering hanging up the gloves - for a second time - when the Bulldogs' State League season ends at home to Salisbury United tomorrow.

McLean - Football Federation SA's all-time games record holder - reached the 450-game milestone against Modbury on September 7, yet has all but ruled out getting to 500.

He is undecided about his playing future but is leaning towards pulling the pin on his state league career, which began as a 16 year old for Birkalla in 1987/88.

The rigours of a 30-match season, up from 18 in recent years, will be the biggest factor in his decision.

"The body is taking a lot longer to recover and the rigmarole of training means it's looking at this stage like 452 (games) is where it finishes off," says McLean, who joined Noarlunga for the 1996/97 season.

"I'm not officially going to say I'm going to retire when the season finishes.

"You never say never but it's probably looking that way.

"By the time you do pre-season and 30 games it's becoming harder and harder when you're 43.

"Maybe it's time for the club to go in a different direction but if they're struggling or don't have anyone I might go on next year again."

Scotland-raised McLean broke Jason Trimboli's games record last season.

He says knowing he is the league's longest serving active player is surreal.

"You look at 450 games and see it as a pretty large number and to be going for that long a period is quite an achievement.

"You have to keep your body at the standard that you need to keep up.

"You just keep playing as long as you can for the team and the numbers keep ticking along."

McLean regards winning three championships with Blue Eagles in the 1990s and the State League with Noarlunga as career highlights.

He says he may continue his career at an amateur level or become a goalkeeping coach if he retires from the State League.