Evergreen former Southampton, AFC Bournemouth and Norway international ninth-tier Baffins Milton Rovers could face on trip to struggling Hythe & Dibden

Baffins Milton Rovers are faced with the prospect of coming up against a former Premier League ace and Norway international when they travel to Wessex League Premier strugglers Hythe & Dibden on Saturday.
By Lewis Mason
Published 7th Apr 2022, 15:02 GMT
Updated 7th Apr 2022, 15:48 GMT
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Jo Tessem, who counts Southampton, AFC Bournemouth and Norweigan heavyweights Molde as some of his old clubs, was on the scoresheet in second-bottom Hythe's 2-0 victory over AFC Stoneham last weekend.

The evergreen one-time international star, who collected nine caps in all for his country, is still playing on in the English ninth-tier at the age of 50, making nine appearances and netting once for Hythe this term.

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Tessem is now in his fifth campaign with the Hampshire club, having first arrived in the 2017-18 season. Versatile Tessem signed for Southampton under then-manager Dave Jones from Molde in November 1999 for a £600,000 fee.

Former Southampton player Jo Tessem is still playing for ninth-tier Hythe & Dibden at the age of 50 Picture: Mike Hewitt/Getty ImagesFormer Southampton player Jo Tessem is still playing for ninth-tier Hythe & Dibden at the age of 50 Picture: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Former Southampton player Jo Tessem is still playing for ninth-tier Hythe & Dibden at the age of 50 Picture: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

He went onto make 119 appearances over a six-year stay with Pompey's arch-rivals, scoring 16 times.

Incredibly, Tessem is nine years the senior of Shaun Wilkinson - aged 41 - who takes his Baffins side to Hythe this weekend.

The Portsmouth-based outfit will be hoping to stop Tessem and his team-mates and end the season on a high note, with this trip their penultimate fixture, after a run of just two wins in their previous 14 league fixtures.

Tessem also enjoyed a short stay with AFC Bournemouth, making 11 appearances in 2008, before dropping into the non-league with Eastleigh.

Related topics:SouthamptonNorwayBaffins Milton RoversPremier League

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