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51 year old Jamie Cureton speaks on signing for 26th club of his career

51 year old Jamie Cureton speaks on signing for the 26th club of his career, becoming quite the non league journeyman.

Less than a year ago, the experienced former Premier League and EFL player joined Kings Park Rangers in the Eastern Counties League Division One North, with the aim of becoming the first player to score in every English football tier.

A month or so later, he achieved that, coming on the second half of the Eastern Counties League Division One North outfit’s game away at Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers, assisted for King’s Park Rangers’s third goal, then ended the half with a goal of his own, setting a new record.

He helped guide them to the league title, but while this would have earned them promotion to the Premier Division, the club announced shortly after that they would fold.

Cureton went on the search for a new club, and in August 2026, he signed for the team who finished second in the same league, Holland FC, who ended up losing in the playoff semi final to Stanway Pegasus.

Talking to BBC Essex Sport, he said: “I think really, it was just the fact of last year playing for KPR and stuff and obviously we played against Holland a few times, with the situation at KPR folding, I sort of was just pondering what I was going to do to be honest.

“I know a few of the boys have sort of joined over there. I was still sort of very unsure what I was doing and I think that Josh probably had mentioned it to the club and said that, you know, if there was any interest I’d be quite keen to sign and yes, I was the manager and chairman and stuff and they were keen to have me over there so it was quite an easy decision.

“It’s a good club, a very good side, a good management team and structure and I got a very good chance of winning the league and I knew a few of the boys over there as well so it was quite an easy decision to sort of sign on and obviously be available for them whenever I can and hopefully I’ll come over the line this year.

When asked on his enthusiasm and the drive, Jamie replied: “I think just the general level of playing, you know, I just thoroughly enjoy it playing wherever that is, know, being a stadium, a park or whatever, just thoroughly enjoy just the feeling of sort being around the boys, changing rooms, know, match day experiences, all of that, I just really enjoy it.

“So it’s always for me, I’ve always said that as long as I can do a job for someone and someone’s happy for me to do a job for them, then I would always continue playing, you know, I’ve never got bored of it. You know, even the other night I’ll come on for about 10, 15 minutes, really enjoyed being around the boys, we won.

“You know, all that feeling you get from just playing. You know, I just love that feeling of being able to be out there with the lads and playing and winning games with football and just the whole atmosphere. So, you know, I’m grateful for Holland for giving me another opportunity to, you know, continue that.”

Interviewer: “You’re only one of eight outfield players in England that played over a thousand appearances. That’s quite some stat, Jamie. Obviously you’ve scored in all of the top 10 divisions in England. You’ve scored over 350 goals. You probably know exactly how many you’ve scored.

Jamie: “402 now.”

Interviewer: “It’s just a remarkable career you’ve had.”

Jamie: Yeah, it’s been really good, really good. I mean, I have had the option to drop to 11 and score at that level as well, which was sort of something I did think about just to extend it. Yeah, a bit more. Which I might do at some stage if an opportunity comes along. Just to try and make sure that no one else attempts to break it.

“But yeah, I suppose because I’ve played so long, you’re going to reach so many milestones that maybe people haven’t. That isn’t the reason I do it. I do it just because I love it. And fortunately for me, these milestones come along. And it’s great to be part of English football history, I suppose. When really starting out, all I wanted to do was just play football.

“And I’m now at that stage, which is good for me that, you know, I’m doing what I’ve always wanted to do. I don’t pay for money. I just literally play for the love of playing. And it’s quite refreshing, you know, just to have that, you know, the pressures that I’ve gone through, obviously, as a professional and stuff that you have to go through.

“It’s nice to have a bit more relaxation, still the will to win and the will to win, you know, leagues and cups or whatever. It’s just nice to turn up, play with your mates and just really have fun, you know, doing something I love doing.”

On his role at Holland FC: “Just the playing role. You know, I just got to do the management and stuff. If they need me to help out in any way, I’m always happy to. And I think you know, being around with my experience, can help a lot of the young players as well. And, you know, if they need any advice, you know, I’m always there to lend a helping hand and have a chat with them. So I think for me at the moment, it’s just there to be there just to play and help the team. And if I can help the management anyway, then I’m always there to do that.”

On if he was to play Norwich United: “No, because it’s my birthday and I wasn’t obviously attached to anyone, I’m in Bristol. Back at home to visit, to a friend and family and spend sort of a long weekend with my family because I obviously don’t get to see him that often.

“And I’d already planned it. So when I joined the other day, I sort of said that there’s a few things I’ve planned purely because I didn’t expect to be sort of playing. I thought I would sort of maybe look to do something in September once I’d got sort of a few of these things out of the way. And he was good as gold, he understood.

“But yeah, from basically mid-September onwards, I’ll be, I’ve sort of not got many more commitments after that. So I’ll be fully fully involved and trying to help the boys win three points every Saturday.

“So I’ll be looking out tomorrow. I’ve got a family meal and stuff planned tomorrow, but I’ll be looking out. we can pick up another three points and just another step closer to our goal, which is to win the league.”

In April 2026, Kings Park Rangers held their own awards, they said: “A true icon of the game and the driving force behind this team, the gaffer has somehow found another level this season.

“Leading from the front both on and off the pitch, Curo’s quality, movement, and hunger in front of goal are sight to behold.

“To reach the incredible milestone of 400 career goals with the club is an honour for everyone involved. A legend in every sense — and a season to remember.

“King Cureton 👑🫡”

HIS CAREER:

Youth 
Bristol Rovers
Southampton
1988–1993 – Norwich City

Senior
1993–1996 – Norwich City – 32 games (6 goals)
1995–1996 → AFC Bournemouth (loan) – 5 games (0 goals)
1996–2000 – Bristol Rovers – 198 games (79 goals)
2000–2003 – Reading – 127 games (55 goals)
2003–2004 – Busan I’Cons – 21 games (4 goals)
2004–2005 – Queens Park Rangers – 46 games (7 goals)
2005–2006 – Swindon Town – 32 games (7 goals)
2005–2007 → Colchester United (loan) – 56 games (31 goals)
2007–2010 – Norwich City – 76 games (18 goals)
2008–2009 → Barnsley (loan) – 8 games (2 goals)
2010 → Shrewsbury Town (loan) – 12 games (0 goals)
2010–2011 – Exeter City – 41 games (17 goals)
2011–2012 – Leyton Orient – 23 games (1 goals
2012–2013 – Exeter City – 49 games (22 goals)
2013–2014 – Cheltenham Town – 35 games (11 goals)
2014–2016 – Dagenham & Redbridge – 93 games (29 goals)
2016 – Farnborough – 10 games (0 goals)
2016 Eastleigh – 7 games (1 goal)
2016 – Farnborough – 1 game (1 goal)
2016–2017 – St Albans City – 17 games (5 goals)
2017–2018 – Farnborough – 39 games (19 goals)
2018–2020 – Bishop’s Stortford – 95 games (52 goals)
2019–2020 → Enfield (dual registration) – 2 games (0 goals)
2020 – Hornchurch – 8 games (2 goals)
2020–2023 – Enfield – 28 games (8 goals)
2024 – Maldon & Tiptree – 3 games (0 goals)
2024–2025 – Cambridge City – 3 games (0 goals)
2025–2026 – Kings Park Rangers – 21 games (12 goal)
2026- Holland FC – 1 game (0 goals)
Total – 1,095 (402 goals)

International
1993 – England U18 – 4 games (1 goals)

Managerial career
2018–2019 – Bishop’s Stortford (joint player-manager)
2019–2020 – Bishop’s Stortford (player-manager)
2020–2023 – Enfield (player-manager)
2023–2024 – Maldon & Tiptree (player-assistant coach)
2024–2025 – Cambridge City (player-manager)

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