John Simmons plays last match with Pendle Hill Soccer Club after 50 seasons

A western Sydney soccer player who has devoted most of his life to his childhood club is poised to lace up the boots one last time. He shares some of his fondest memories over the past 50 years.

When most of his peers sidelined soccer as they grew older, John Simmons continued playing the “world game” and 50 years later, will notch up his last match with his beloved Pendle Hill Football Club on Saturday.

He first laced up his boots in 1972 playing at the club’s home-ground of Binalong Park at Old Toongabbie and even when he moved more than 40km for a tree change to East Kurrajong with his family 17 years ago, he faithfully fronted to matches with his childhood club each weekend.

“When people understand the fun of it, it’s like a drug — it’s addictive,’’ he said.

“It was the people. The people are fantastic, just really good. We’ve grown up together as a community through that club. You keep doing what you like.’’

Now 58, he recalled rocking up to a fog-cloaked Binalong Park as a child during winter morning fixtures, and when the game was simply known as soccer, not football.

“The balls were proper leather,’’ he said.

“I’m sounding old now but they even had the string laces to lace the ball up, which obviously got heavy with rain.’’

John Simmons in 1975, when his long stint with Pendle Hill Football Club was in its infancy.

Through his youth, soccer was a constant in “Simmo’s” life.

“We were successful and everyone was happy and it was a good place to go and we used to hang out on weekends,’’ he said.

When players tied the knot and moved on, they slowly disbanded, but Simmons said the camaraderie in the team kept many together and they returned for reunions.

His children Craig, 35, and Jessica, 32, played at the club and his toddler grandchildren are bound to uphold the family tradition when they’re a bit older.

Among five decades of highlights was his team’s victories in the NSW challenge the Champion of Champions, which saw the best side from each association battle it out with their state rivals.

Pendle Hill triumphed two consecutive years in NSW in the mid 1980s with the under-21s.

Leading up to the showdown, the side confronted snow in a pitch at Springwood in the Blue Mountains with no change rooms.

“Boys were trying to hide between boys from separation from their parents, which I think would be quite hilarious to read now, but obviously you have the facilities to get changed now,’’ Simmons said.

“We didn’t have them when we played up there.

“Looking back that was the funniest thing to do. They had to mow the lines to get the snow off them.’’

Claiming a state tournament was a highlight for ‘Simmo’ and his teammates.

He loves the club camaraderie.

When the fullback reached middle age, the fun kicked on. He relished the Pan Pacific Games on the Gold Coast in and the Masters Games in New Zealand five years ago were an unforgettable experience.

“It was the best two weeks of our lives,’’ he said.

He is proud of the club’s transforming Binalong Park from two soccer pitches and a rugby union field to four soccer arenas, which can all be viewed from the hill so spectators can watch four games simultaneously.

On Saturday, players will form a guard of honour to celebrate the club life member and former secretary’s golden jubilee after he rips through a banner.

The construction supervisor would have gladly played again in 2023 but, sadly, dwindling numbers, which have been a casualty of the Hills association gaining players from Granville organisation during a restructure, has changed that.

“The only reason I’m not playing next year is because we don’t have people, they’re running out,” he said.

“It’s sad.’’

Pendle Hill Football Club president Vanessa Carrett said other members, such as coach Richard Baker who has notched up 35 years, have served a long time at the tight-knit club.

“One you played at Pendo, you played at Pendo because it’s a family, community club,’’ she said.

“We support each other.’’

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Originally published as John Simmons plays last match with Pendle Hill Soccer Club after 50 seasons