fbpx
Connect with us

Championship

The ultimate journeyman retires aged 46 after 29-year career, 42 clubs, 51 transfers

The ultimate journeyman that is Jefferson Louis retires aged 46 after a 29-year playing career, 42 clubs and 51 transfers.

Earlier this week, Jefferson Louis (@jlouislee9) tweeted: A young boy that had a dream, and I lived it, but it’s now time to call it a day!

“To go to the age of 46 is something I’m hugely proud of.

“Massive thanks to my former managers, teammates and fans that have supported me throughout.

“Now to give back to the next generation 💙”

He also said to BBC Radio Oxford: “It was a dream for me to become a professional footballer.

“I played at some great grounds and with some great players, later on I met some lovely people on my travels and that motivated me later in my career.

“I have a good circle of friends that have really encouraged me to overcome the dark days and strive for more, I’ve played for a long time and I must be doing something right as I’ve still to this day had more managers ask me to come play for them.”

Image

“Before the game (against Swindon) I didn’t realise the level of hate between the two sides,” Louis added.

“I’ve never heard the Kassam so loud on that day, when I scored it was a great feeling and then after the game it hit me what I had done.

“And in the next round we got drawn against Arsenal it was a moment I will never forget and I will tell my little boy about, I can’t describe deep down how it felt.

“When we went to Highbury that was so special, I came onto the pitch with both the Oxford and Arsenal fans shouting my name, I won’t forget it.”

Thame United wrote: “Jeff, who has had 4 stints at Thame United, has announced that he is retiring from competitive football

“A staggering 903 competitive games of football, with 293 goals to his name across a number of teams. Jefferson spent 4 years at Thame and finishes his career leaving with 3 Oxfordshire Senior Cups

“A massive congratulations on an amazing career Jeff, from everyone at Thame United and we wish you all the best for the future.”

Jefferson Louis further added: “The boots are staying in the closet, I won’t play again.

“Aside from showing the guys on the pitch what to do in training I’m going to take a rest from playing.”

Louis is also working at a pupil referral centre for school children that have been excluded from schools, having spent a brief time in prison when he was 22 for dangerous driving.

“I say to kids that everyone has to make mistakes to learn,” Louis continued.

“I tell them that I’ve made mistakes and I’m still learning every day because I’m open to it, I’ve lived it so I can understand them better.

“I feel like when I help one child it is like scoring a goal, I feel on top of the world because I want them to live to their true potential and it’s important for them to live up to their dream, it’s so rewarding for me.”

Then it was announced via www.sloughtownfc.net: We are delighted to confirm that Jefferson Louis has returned to Slough Town Football Club, this time in the role of Assistant First Team Coach.

Jefferson will primarily focus on working with the club’s strikers, offering specialist coaching and guidance, while also taking on a valuable mentoring role for the younger players within the squad.

Having first joined the Rebels in June 2023 as a Performance Coach, Jefferson played a key part in delivering high-intensity physical training sessions, managing warm-ups and activation routines, and advising on post-match recovery and nutrition.

Now 46, Jefferson announced his retirement from playing yesterday, bringing the curtain down on an extraordinary career that spanned almost 30 years. After starting out in non-league football, he earned a move to Oxford United in 2002, and went on to represent numerous clubs across the country – most recently turning out for Thame United last season.

Jefferson also made five appearances for Slough Town in 2022 and 2023, supporting Scott Davies early in his managerial tenure.

Manager Scott Davies shared his thoughts on the appointment:

“Football these days for me is more about mentality than ability. Every player at the level has ability which has allowed them to get to this point, but it’s so important that we, as a management team can tap into their psychological side too.

Throughout the season, individuals will need one-to-one chats when things aren’t going as well as they may have hoped and I strongly believe that with myself, Yella and now Jefferson joining the group, we’ve got all bases covered with the wealth of experience we have that we can now give back to the players.”

Please join us in welcoming Jefferson back to Arbour Park!

JEFFERSON LOUIS’ CAREER:

1996–1998 – Risborough Rangers – 49 games (19 goals)
1998–2000 – Thame United
2000–2001 – Aylesbury United – 15 games (5 goals)
2001–2002 – Thame United
2002–2004 – Oxford United – 56 games (8 goals)
2003 → Woking (loan) – 8 games (5 goals)
2004 → Gravesend & Northfleet (loan) – 5 games (2 goals)
2004 – Forest Green Rovers – 10 games (2 goals)
2004–2005 – Woking – 26 games (4 goals)
2005 – Bristol Rovers – 9 games (0 goals)
2005 – Hemel Hempstead Town – 1 game (1 goal)
2005 – Lewes – 2 games (0 goals)
2005 – Worthing – 6 games (2 goals)
2005–2006 – Stevenage – 18 games (6 goals)
2006 – Eastleigh – 6 games (1 goal)
2006–2007 – Yeading – 8 games (4 goals)
2007 – Havant & Waterlooville – 20 games (5 goals)
2007–2008 – Weymouth – 18 games (10 goals)
2008 – Maidenhead United – 3 games (0 goals)
2008 – Mansfield Town – 18 games (4 goals)
2008–2009 – Wrexham – 42 games (15 goals)
2009–2010 – Crawley Town – 18 (games 5 goals)
2009–2010 → Rushden & Diamonds (loan) – 28 games (7 goals)
2010–2011 – Gainsborough Trinity – 9 games (1 goal)
2010–2011 → Darlington (loan) – 6 games (0 goals)
2011 – Weymouth – 1 game (0 goals)
2011 – Hayes & Yeading United – 9 games (1 goal)
2011 – Maidenhead United – 13 games (3 goals)
2011–2012 – Brackley Town – 8 games (13 goals)
2012 – Lincoln City – 14 games (6 goals)
2012 – Newport County – 17 games (2 goals)
2012 → Whitehawk (loan) – 7 games (4 goals)
2013 – Brackley Town – 24 games (7 goals)
2013–2014 – Hendon – 33 games (26 goals)
2014 – Margate – 17 games (9 goals)
2014 – Lowestoft Town – 21 games (6 goals)
2014–2016 – Wealdstone – 66 games (29 goals)
2016 – Staines Town – 10 games (3 goals)
2016–2017 – Oxford City – 32 games (8 goals)
2017 – Banbury United – 27 games (17 goals)
2017–2018 – Chesham United – 26 games (9 goals)
2018 – Farnborough – 7 games (2 goals)
2018–2019 – Chesham United – 45 games (12 goals)
2019 – Hampton & Richmond Borough – 8 games (1 goal)
2019–2020 – St Albans City – 14 games (2 goals)
2020–2021 – Beaconsfield Town – 20 games (3 goals)
2021–2022 – North Leigh – 26 games (10 goals)
2022 – Risborough Rangers – 15 games (2 goals)
2022–2023 – Thame United – 26 games (11 goals)
2023 – Slough Town – 5 games (0 goals)
2023–2024 – Beaconsfield Town – 19 games (8 goals)
2024–2025 – Thame United – 63 games (13 goals)

International career
2008 – Dominica – 1 games (0 goals)

Here’s how fans reacted as the ultimate journeyman retires aged 46 after 29-year career, 42 clubs, 51 transfers…

@GrimStones: Happy retirement Jeff. What a career. Memorable moments at the Stones

@Tommy_Cockles: Ohhhhhhhhh Jefferson Louis!!!…… Ohhhhhhhh Jefferson Louis!!! Congrats on a stellar career Jefferson. Loved watching you in a Wealdstone shirt! Once a Stone….. always a Stone 💙

@curtiz58: What a career you had it’s been a pleasure watching you play 👏👏👏

@heyit5sam: Some career you’ve had. Some great memories at Oxford. Enjoy your retirement

@JeremyAlbert20: Simply one of my favourite ever forwards to play in the blue and white of @WealdstoneFC. Thank you and wish you well in a very deserved retirement #uts

@RobCTID21: All the best. Cheers for playing part in our promotion back to football league

@mjgelder: Thanks for the memories ! I always like to watch out for ex Oxford United players and what team they move to. Legend. And well done for the next lot.

@mad4movieswxm: You were great for Wrexham. ⚽️ best of luck for the future. 👍

@ollox__: The journeyman of all journeymen. Good luck Jefferson. Once a yellow 💛

@hhustler7576: Jefferson, what a fantastic example and shining light you have been and still are. Congratulations on your career and finally your retirement from the pitch😃. All the best, Big Man 💪🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

@CallumWithers24: It was great watching you play for the rebels mate. All the best in your retirement @jlouislee9. Take it easy now mate.

@curtismcdonald8: Well done jeff mate great career 👊🏾

@dabber1962: Unbelievable career. I remember a 16 year old Jefferson training at @AylesburyUtdFC in 1996. That young boy went on to have an amazing career with such longevity and more importantly to be an amazing friend to my family and I.

@Benallan82: Enjoyed the @NorthLeigh_FC season in recent times. Happy retirement.

@Wines94: Unbelievable achievements mate! What a career, grateful we managed to cross paths! All the best 💙

@sbizz_10: Legend!! Enjoy the retirement you’ve truly earned it and set a good example for those after you! ❤️👏🏾

@bradleywils9: Pleasure to have experienced the journey with you at Staines mate. Enjoy retirement & giving back!

@jmacca06: All the best big man, loved that season we had at North Leigh 👏👏

@perkleman:
2002. Charlton away.
2002. Swindon home.
What a year!

@clet10: Congratulations Jeff. A gentleman off the pitch and a legend on it 👊🏿🙌🏿

@Jackturner20: Hell of a player mate. Privileged to of shared the pitch with you

@Jonah8990: Big Jeff ❤️. Come a long way mate and you should be proud of everything you’ve achieved. All the best in whatever is next for you

@deadlykermit: Happy Retirement Jefferson. Always enjoyed watching you when at Wealdstone.

Related Topics
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

More in Championship