Britain’s oldest footballer, 86-year-old Dickie Borthwick, has announced his retirement from the game.

Dickie, from Weymouth in Dorset in the UK, played the game for over 70 years.

Battling tackles on the pitch he also battled cancer a few years ago, too.

His career started in Scotland at the age of 12, playing in his very first youth team. He went on to play at many levels in the amateur game since, scoring around 400 goals, without ever being sent off

Reflecting over his footballing career, he said he enjoyed his outings on the pitch and post-match drinks in pubs in many of the places he has played.

In recent years he has regularly played for Wyke Veterans, a local side in Weymouth.

Dubbed 'the oldest winger in town’, he has often played in games with players -- sometimes former professionals -- decades younger than him. He once scored a hat trick at the age of 64.

He appeared on TV in the UK, on Russell Howards ‘Good News Show’, as the oldest footballer.

He said that thoughts of playing again is what kept him going during 40-plus hospital visits to treat prostrate cancer a few years ago.

“My desire to be the oldest footballer in the country played such a great part in my psychological battle with it,” he said.

In 2012, the National Football Museum in Manchester invited Dickie to its official opening. Here he met many footballing legends and his hero Bobby Charlton and chatted with Sir Geoff Hurst, Sir Trevor Brooking and famous names in the game like Gordon Taylor.

He has also been a guest of Alex Fergusson at Manchester United's ground.

Britain’s oldest footballer Dickie Borthwick (86) from Weymouth Dorset U.K. has announced his retirement after playing the game for over 70 years!

Battling tackles on the pitch he has also battled Cancer a few years ago, too!

Over his career which started in Scotland at the age of 12 playing in his very first youth team.

He has played at many levels in the amateur game over that time.

On the way he has scored around 400 goals and never been sent off!

Reflecting over his footballing career he has enjoyed his outings on the pitch and the visits to the after match drinks in many local pubs that he has played for.

Playing for Wyke Veterans he has turned out to play on a regular basis for the team in Weymouth.

Dubbed ‘This oldest winger in town’ he has clocked up over 70 years. Dickie has been playing since 1947. He also scored a hat trick at the age of 64!

He has played in games with former professionals all much younger than him. Some of those team members have been as young 16 and 60 years younger than him!

He has been featured on TV on the Russell Howards ‘Good News Show’ as the oldest footballer.

Diagnosed with prostrate cancer Dickie underwent a whole series of radio-therapy treatments. All he said he could think about was playing football again and that kept him going during the 40 plus hospital visits that he endured in the treatment phase.

“My desire to be the oldest footballer in the country played such a great part in my psychological battle with it,” he added.

In 2012 the National Football Museum in Manchester invited Dickie to its official opening. Here he met many footballing legends and his hero Bobby Charlton. Chatting with Sir Geoff Hurst, Sir Trevor Brooking and famous names in the game like Gordon Taylor.

He has also been a guest of Alex Fergusson at the Manchester Utd ground as well.