Ex Crystal Palace, Watford and Leeds United striker returns to football action at 47-years-old — London World 23/1/25
By Toby Bryant
The Wealdstone coach donned his playing boots once again as
his side took on Brighton under-21s.
Former Crystal Palace and Watford striker Wayne Andrews made
an unexpected return to football in a playing capacity on Tuesday night.
The 47-year-old has been working as the head of strength and
conditioning at National League outfit Wealdstone since May 2024. Last night,
the Hillingdon outfit faced the Brighton under-21 side in National League Cup
action.
To much surprise, Andrews was named among the substitutes
for that match, taking his place in the dugout not just as a coach but as a
player. The former Eagles forward was then brought into the action in the 76th
minute as a replacement for 23-year-old Micah Obiero, formerly of Huddersfield
Town and FC Halifax Town.
Wealdstone were 1-0 down at the time thanks to a goal from
the Seagulls' Australian youngster Peupion. Andrews was tasked with inspiring a
comeback but couldn't do so against the sprightly Premier League club's academy
side, with the game finishing at 1-0.
Andrews began his playing career at Watford, having
graduated from the Hornets academy. He made his debut in 1996 and bagged five
goals in 29 appearances before an ankle injury hampered his progress with the
club.
Speaking to Watford Legends, Andrews said: "I was from
London and played for a club called North Paddington. I was at a school that
was very rugby orientated, and even though I was good at football, they
wouldn’t let me go to train at Watford, as they wanted me to concentrate on
rugby. My team at North Paddington got to a cup final. Steve Perryman’s son was
playing against me in the final and after the game Steve asked if I would be
interested to join him there. After that the school allowed me to go.
"Rob Smith used to pick us up from Watford Junction and
we would go training from there. I would go backwards and forwards on the
trains, but I suppose that was at a time when as young lads it was safe to do
so.
"I did a lot of my training under Kenny Jackett and
eventually Kenny gave me a YTS contract, along with Robert Page and Bruce Dyer.
I remember my nickname with Kenny was ‘Black Flash’ as I was pretty quick! I
even get called it sometimes now which is quite funny when I see players I
haven’t seen for ages, and they remember it as my nickname. People ask if that
nickname means I am a bit ‘big time’, but I just tell them I used to be
quick!"
Andrews became somewhat of a journeyman after leaving
Watford but eventually signed for Crystal Palace in 2004 for £100,000. He would
stay at Selhurst Park until 2006, featuring more regularly in the Championship
after the club was relegated from the Premier League in 2005.
Speaking about joining the club, Andrews said: "Looking
back now I probably wouldn’t have gone but I kept on getting phone calls about
it and I was almost spending the money before I had got it. I had pre-season
with Colchester and then the manager called me in and said that I wasn’t going
anywhere.
"I went down to speak to Palace but Colchester still
refused to let me go but I said that if they didn’t let me sign then I wouldn’t
be in the same frame of mind that I had been bearing in mind that Palace were
in the Premiership. I ended up signing at two minutes to twelve, just before
the deadline."