The 85-year-old Portsmouth footballer who refuses to let coronavirus ground him

Aged 86 next month, the man believed to be the country’s oldest active footballer has been forcibly removed from the playing area, an impromptu departure influenced neither through injury or ill-discipline.

On Monday afternoon, the escalation of coronavirus dictated the disbandment of the highly-successful Pompey in the Community walking football team and their twice-weekly training sessions.

Implemented as a temporary measure, with 20 squad members aged in excess of 70 years there exist alternative challenges at present.

Thwaites is already eyeing his return, the super-fit octogenarian eager to add to a burgeoning late-life trophy haul consisting of the WFA National Cup title in 2018.

There remains an admirable defiance against coronavirus and its foreboding health implications.

The former Gosport Borough midfielder will supplement exercise through regular five-mile walks, while maintaining outdoor work in his glorious Postern Close garden honoured with silver recognition in last year’s Fareham in Bloom.

And the belligerent Thwaites is even plotting lacing up those boots once more to fill that footballing void.

‘I’m not frightened of coronavirus, it doesn’t concern me at all – I’m fit for my age,’ he said.

‘I had prostate cancer six years ago, involving eight weeks of radiotherapy, and am clear as a bell now. I’m not vulnerable, I came through it quite well.

‘With this coronavirus, they say old people have to stay in, but I can’t do that, I’m too fit to stay at home. I’ll have to do more walking I suppose and if I can get another gardening job I’ll do that. I already look after the gardens of three ladies.

‘My boys ask me: “What are you doing? Have you plenty of food? Are you staying in?”. I tell them: “I’m not staying in, I’m doing my walking and gardening and, if there’s any football, I’m doing that”. But there isn’t football anymore.

‘I’m not all that concerned about coronavirus. I know I’m getting on, but if I’m fit enough to get around I’ll still do it, I’m not too worried about the outcome because of my fitness – and I’m play football again.

‘I’m in a retirement complex where people older than me also live and they tell me I’m a fit man for my age. I do most of the gardening around here, I don’t cut the grass, I tend to the borders and plants, making the place look nice.

‘There are two old ladies – aged 86 and 87 – whose gardens I also look after, as well as a young lady who lost her husband. She is 55 and a tennis coach who helps out at Portsmouth Grammar School, it’s nice to help others.

‘I also keep myself trim through walking, going from Portchester to Fareham, there’s a track along the shore from the castle to the Delme Arms roundabout, it’s about two-and-a-half miles one way. If I have to carry anything then I’ll catch the bus back.

‘A lot of people should get out more rather than sitting indoors on their computers. I haven’t even got a computer, I wouldn’t even know how to turn one on.

‘If ever it’s made compulsory that us folk have to stay indoors then I must, but I’m not much worried about it. Not really.’

Hailing from Doncaster, National Service brought Thwaites to the south coast, where he has remained since 1955.

The widower was introduced to Pompey in the Community Walking Football Club six years ago, establishing himself as a pivotal member of a group which have claimed 18 trophies during that period, while the 86-year-old has consistently been the oldest player in competitions.

Following victory in the National Cup at Nottingham in October 2018, Thwaites was photographed with Bobby Charlton’s brother, Tommy, ambassador for the Walking Football Association and player for Mature Millers in Rotherham.

While at last summer’s Mallorca International Festival, he featured in the over-70s team which finished fourth, subsequently encountering former England winger Chris Waddle.

Now the walking football colleagues rely on a newly-created WhatsApp group to retain social interaction during worrying times.

Thwaites added: ‘I’ve always been fit and worked outside on building sites and constructions.

‘Mind you, before being a builder I was a crane driver and, while working in Coventry, my brother-in-law and I were asked to help on the film The Italian Job in 1968.

‘We had use cranes to lower all these Minis into disused sewer pipes for that famous scene with the car chase. I know some of the film was made in Italy, but Coventry was also involved!

‘I’ve always played football and, as a schoolboy, had a trial for Huddersfield Town but was rejected for being too small. I also played with Ron Flowers and Albert Quixall, who both went on to represent England.

‘I was at Gosport alongside Ray Hiron before he made it big with Pompey and also came up against Bobby Stokes in the days before he scored the FA Cup final winner for Southampton in 1976. It was in the Portsmouth League, with me representing Portchester and Bobby at Paulsgrove.

‘I’ve also played at Fratton Park, sort of! After winning the National Cup, we paraded the trophy ahead of the match against Walsall in November 2018. We all had our football gear on, walking around the pitch, and when Pompey’s players came out for their warm-up, I ran onto the playing surface with them.

‘I was kicking the ball backwards and forwards with a few of the players and all I could hear was “Geoff, Geoff, you’re not allowed”. That made my day, actually!’

Thwaites’ wife, Pamela, passed away two years ago this week, separating the couple following 63 years of marriage.

These days he resides in a one-bedroom flat located within retirement housing a short walk from Portchester shopping precinct.

With coronavirus danger ramping up, these remain testing times for the Pompey fan and his separated team-mates.

Thwaites said: ‘I’m stocked up with everything, I’ve got plenty of hygienic stuff and food because every time my boys come down, they first check my fridge and freezer to see I have plenty in there.

‘My flat is nice and cosy, and, best of all, it’s on the bottom floor, so I have my own front and back garden, which is my pride and joy.

‘There’s roses, dahlias and hydrangeas, while an assortment of pots including big white lilies. I’ve got an old lady’s bicycle set up with a basket of flowers on the front and back, and another hanging off the handlebars.

‘There’s also an old toilet and cistern up against the wall and filled with flowers, while in the back garden are 15 hanging baskets.

‘Last year I won silver in Fareham in Bloom and, the year before, collected a silver gilt – and I’ve only been entering for three years.

‘I’m missing football, though, even if it has only been a few days. When we’re eventually back, hopefully all the guys will be there and haven’t had any of this illness.

‘It would be good to see everyone again – and play football.’