7 former pros we can’t believe are still playing non-league football in 2024

We cannot get enough of these seven former professional footballers refusing to succumb to the passage of time and continuing their careers below the Football League in 2024.

While many professionals fall out of love with football after years in the profession, others are hopeless addicts who need to get their fix wherever possible.

Here are the seven heroic figures who all share an undying love for the game and are rolling back the years in non-league football.

Dave Kitson

Sunday League outfit Caversham United have announced the signed former Reading striker Kitson in preparation for Sunday League day in March 2024.

Kitson, who scored 60 goals in 146 games for Reading during their glorious mid-2000s era, has coached Caversham United’s men’s and women’s squads and held a Q&A for the club at Phantom Brewing Co in Reading in January.

Now aged 44, the former striker will be hoping to prove class is permanent in the Reading & District Sunday League Division 2 this spring.

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Nathan Delfouneso

Considered one of England’s most promising strikers during his Aston Villa days, Delfouenso won the Golden Boot at the U19 European Championship in 2009 but was loaned out five times by his parent club.

He eventually settled at Blackpool, scoring 29 times in 146 appearances, before brief spells with Bolton and Bradford in the Football League.

Now 33, Delfouneso signed for Hendesford Town in the Northern Premier League Division One West in February 2024 after a successful period with AFC Fylde last season.

Leroy Lita

Former Reading striker Lita is still causing havoc to defences at the age of 39, leaving fans questioning what year it is after scoring on his debut for non-league Nuneaton Borough against Coventry City last year.

Lita was once an underrated baller in the Premier League, turning out for clubs including Reading and Swansea after coming through the ranks at Chelsea.

He also played several seasons in the Championship for teams including Brighton, Norwich and Sheffield Wednesday.

And, despite his 40th birthday appearing on the horizon, Lita is still turning out for Southern League Premier Central side Coalville Town. Good for him.

Pascal Chimbonda

You’ll know all about this one – eyebrows were raised in October 2023 when Chimbonda was appointed manager of North West Counties side Skelmersdale United.

Having spoken about wanting to be an inspiration for black managers, the former Tottenham defender made headlines with his antics on the sidelines in deepest Lancashire.

But he brilliantly circumvented a touchline ban by registering himself as a player for the rock-bottom side, making his Skelmersdale debut in a 2-2 draw with Charnock Richard in January 2024.

It doesn’t look like Chimbonda will keep United up, but his presence at the club has boosted its profile with a slew of journalists queuing up to report on their matches.

Jordon Ibe

Ibe spent four years at Liverpool, making 41 appearances, and had loan spells with Birmingham and Derby before a move to Bournemouth and a spell in Turkey.

Now he’s turning out for National League outfit Ebbsfleet United. “I just want to get back out there, show people what I can do again and play football,” he said at his unveiling in October 2023.

The 28-year-old has previously spoken about his battle with depression and stressed how important playing football is to him.

“I’ve worked hard to be in a position where I can focus on football and believe in myself and my ability to contribute on the pitch,” he told Ebbsfleet’s official website.

“Being back out there is where I love to be and where I’m most happy but I needed to be healthy and prepared to give myself that chance. The way Ebbsfleet have helped me and put a process in place so I can be ready has been supportive.”

Ibe made his debut in a 0-0 draw at Oldham Athletic as Ebbsfleet look to avoid relegation to the regional leagues.

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Danny Fox

Fox, who has played Champions League football for Celtic and Premier League football for Southampton, currently plays for hometown club Winsford Town in the Cheshire Football League.

They also had Nicky Maynard on their books at the start of the 2023-24 campaign, but the former striker has now retired from the game.

Angelo Balanta

Balanta was in the QPR squad for their seasons in the Premier League between 2011 and 2013 – but spent both campaigns out on loan at MK Dons.

The striker also had spells at Bristol Rovers, Carlisle and Dagenham & Redbridge then followed for the former Colombia under-20 international.

At 33, he is now playing in the National League for Boreham Wood.

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