By Georgia Swinton

Scottish Footballer and former Liverpool Manager Bill Shankley famously stated that: “Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that.” One man who lives by this mantra is 74 year-old Figtree resident Peter Webster. Peter plays in the over 35s competition for Figtree Titans Football Club. As a midfielder, he runs a lot – but don’t be fooled by his age. I met with Peter to discuss the passion behind playing the sport for all these years, the vision of football in Australia and where it is headed.

Peter Webster is energetic, athletic, jovial and sincerely passionate about playing the World’s Game. After emigrating to Australia in 1981, Peter thought once he moved here he would hang up his boots. When he first arrived, he says “Hardly any men played over the age of 35.” This continued into the 1990s after Peter had initiated a loca; Amateur Competition when he was 48 years old.  Since then however, Peter has envisioned a shift in the way the football is represented in Australia. It has grown exponentially, but he understands it still has a long way to go. “At least people call it football here now. Well, more people are. And more people are beginning to understand why it is the world’s game. It differs from any other sport.” Peter’s mentality is a motivation to continue to do what you love, irrespective of age barriers. With the 2014 Brazil World Cup this year, Peter agrees that is a great time to invest interest in the sport here in Australia.

Football enriches culture. A day without football, it seems, is a day without excitement. Peter Webster exemplifies that the love for football lasts a lifetime and how the sport can result in prolonged energy and athleticism. Peter ended our conversation with a quote from Brian Clough. “Whatever you do in life, it will not be as good as playing the game.”