Simon Baldry is already celebrating World Cup glory.
The former Town star was part of the England side who won the Seniors World Cup in Thailand.
In soaring temperatures and sometimes heavy rain, the veterans played five games in six days to win the eight-nation tournament in Sa Kaeo.
They beat Taiwan and USA and drew with Thailand to win their group.
In the semi-final, England beat Iran 2-1, with Baldry scoring the winner.
That set up a final showdown with Scotland.
A feisty clash ended in a 2-2 draw after the Scots levelled in stoppage time.
But England, whose squad also included former Preston players Gareth Ainsworth, now Wycombe’s manager, and Dean Barrick, held their nerve in the penalty shoot-out to win 5-3.
Australia, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates were the other teams playing in the ninth competition.
Huddersfield-born Baldry, 38, got involved in the seniors side through John Deacey, manager of one of his former clubs Bradford Park Avenue.
“John has talked about me playing for a while, and with the age range going from 38 to 55, I am now old enough,” he explained.
Brackenhall-raised Baldry came through Town’s youth system and made 166 appearances and scored 10 goals in a decade of service.
He played at Wembley in Town’s Autoglass Trophy final penalty shoot-out defeat by Swansea in 1994, and six days later, scored the opening goal as Neil Warnock’s side beat Blackpool 2-1 in their last game at Leeds Road.
He had a season with Notts County after leaving Town in 2003 and has also played for Guiseley and both Ossett sides, Town and Albion.
He now works as a team lead in a children’s home in Rotherham.
But he still plays football when time allows, and had a spell with Northern Counties East League First Division promotion winners Shaw Lane Aquaforce, who are based in Barnsley, last season.
“It’s in the blood really,” smiled Baldry, who now lives in Sheffield.
“The Seniors World Cup gave me a great chance to combine football with a holiday.
“We were out there for 10 days in total, with three in Bangkok before heading to Sa Kaeo, which is close to the border with Cambodia.
“The schedule was busy, but we still got the chance to go into a local school and do some coaching, which was great.
“We took some England shirts out there to give away to the local kids, and that went down really well.
“Winning the tournament was fantastic, especially with the drama of the penalty shoot-out, and I would certainly like to continue playing for England.
“I say I’ve retired from football now, but if an invitation to have a game comes along, I find it hard to say no.”
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