IF Anthony (Rango) Stovell has accumulated any rust following a lengthy lay-off from active football, he's certainly doing a remarkable job disguising it!

For at a time when many players his age have long resigned to playing among the Commercial Division, this diminutive 39-year-old PHC Zebras midfielder continues to defy the odds competing amongst a youthful crop of players with little or no memory of the days he once propelled one of the most lethal attacks in the land.

But it's not the desire to win again which has lured Stovell out of retirement, but more the will to give back to his life-long club, particularly to the club's promising batch of youngsters.

The soft-spoken player is a Zebra to the core, having come all the way up through the illustrious club's junior programme before bursting onto the senior scene as an energetic 16-year-old in 1980.

Stovell formed part of a nucleus which swept all before them in the '80s and early '90s before retiring in 1995 following a brief stint at neighbourhood side, Paget Lions.

The seasoned veteran gave little indication of any wear and tear during Zebras' 4-0 disposal of St. George's last weekend at Southampton Oval ? his first start of the 2003-04 season.

To illustrate the age differential among some of the players Stovell has surrounded himself with, promising Zebras' teenagers Robert Richardson and Antwon Russell are both 18-years-old ? twice as young as their veteran team-mate who appears to have lost little or no touch at all.

So what motivates him to play these days?

"I love playing with the youngsters at PHC. The guys are always up for a challenge and they are a good bunch of lads. They listen to advice, generally enjoy themselves and are willing to learn. That's one thing that I admire and what keeps me motivated. They are a bunch of mature young players," he said.

Despite being inactive for the past nine years, Stovell said watching from the sidelines never "bothered" him in the least.

"I wanted to come back and play a long time ago but due to other circumstances (family commitments) I wasn't able to commit myself," he continued. "But now that everything has been dealt with I decided to lend a hand because most senior players today can't commit themselves to play and I just wanted to help out and try to bring some inspiration to the team."

The Zebras stalwart maintains superb physical conditioning by running along the beach.

"I always loved the game and once you're a footballer, you're always going to be a footballer," he said, with a smile.

"It all matters on the condition of your mind and your body and I'll play as long as my body enables me to play. If I can keep the injuries away and maintain my fitness at this level, I'll always be strong and willing to play."

One person ecstatic to have the veteran suited up again is former PHC team-mate turn coach, Mark Wade.

He said: "Stovell (Anthony) brings tremendous experience into the team that he can pass on to others, particularly to some of our younger players both physically and verbally.

"These are some of the things he brings to the team for our younger players to take note of."

Giving assessment of Stovell's performance last Sunday, Wade said: "He's really just been concentrating on getting himself into playing shape.

"He looked very good and played very simple. His experience really stood out on the pitch and he brings good information into the team and the guys are responding well to him."

Stovell, however, isn't the only seasoned veteran actively playing in the First Division as Wolves stalwart Dion Wainwright can still be seen hustling down the flanks these days.