CHRIS SWAILES became the oldest goalscorer at the new Wembley Stadium as the 45-year-old helped Northern League side Morpeth Town beat Hereford to win the FA Vase.
Swailes underwent heart surgery two years ago and has a screw in his heel from an old injury. But he added a Wembley goal to his remarkable career as Morpeth, who play in the ninth tier of English football, came from behind to beat Hereford 4-1. Swailes was also named man of the match.
The centre-half, who represented Ipswich Town, Bury and Rotherham in the Football League, retired ten years ago after a foot injury meant a six-inch screw had to be inserted into his heel.
He returned to the game but had to hang up his boots again in 2014 after keyhole heart surgery, only to be drawn back last summer.
It is the third time Swailes has won the Vase, after lifting the trophy as a 22-year-old with Bridlington Town in 1992 and with Dunston UTS in 2012.
His goal pulled Morpeth level after Rob Purdie had put Hereford ahead, before Luke Carr, Sean Taylor and Shaun Bell sealed victory for the Northumberland club.
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