Somerton lawn bowler Bob Fosdike, 80, returns to Seagulls' top side 15 years after making his debut

VETERAN Somerton lawn bowler Bob Fosdike has been recalled to the Seagulls' top side 15 years after making his debut.

VETERAN Somerton lawn bowler Bob Fosdike does not know how it happened.

Fifteen years after playing his sole game in the Seagulls' top side he has been recalled - at age 80.

Fosdike has spent most of the past decade in Somerton's second team but was promoted to its Premier Two South squad against Henley at home last Friday.

The former Norwood Football Club star jests he was dropped after one game last time and he will not be surprised if it happens again.

"A selector rang me on Monday evening and I thought he was joking," Fosdike says.

"He said 'no, you've earnt it'.

"I told him I've earnt it for a long time and nothing's happened."

Fosdike says he is not bowling any differently now than he has for the past decade.

"I haven't changed my ability much over the years except getting older."

But clubmate and former North Adelaide Football Club rival Neil McCann, 82, begs to differ.

"He's never bowled better," McCann says.

"It's quite remarkable."

McCann and Fosdike played against each other in the SANFL in the 1950s, and were also state teammates.

"I was a rover and he was a centre half-back and he had a reputation for being pretty tough," Fosdike says.

McCann jokes Fosdike "claims I tried to nail him a few times and insists on telling people that".

They became mates after McCann moved into Somerton Park in 1992 and started attending Fosdike's church.

Coincidentally, the pair joined the bowling club about the same time 12 months later.

McCann later became its president, Fosdike ran the social bowls program and they have lined up together in social games or club championships.

"He's always been in the top echelon at the club ... but now he's pretty close to the form of his life," McCann says.

Fosdike has no plans to stop playing while he is "fit enough and interested enough".