JEFFERSON Louis is hoping to relive his glory days following his move to Oxford City.
A dozen years and more than 30 transfers since his departure from Oxford United, the veteran striker is back in the city where he made his name.
Louis admitted the return has rekindled fond memories – including a shock League Cup victory over Charlton Athletic, then of the Premier League, a famous FA Cup win over local rivals Swindon Town and a trip to boyhood club Arsenal in the following round.
“It brings back memories of the good times,” Louis said.
“My time at Oxford gave me some real high moments. “Oxford and Wrexham were probably the highest points of my career, but hopefully I can bring back the good times at Oxford City.”
The frontman was plucked from obscurity by then-U’s boss Ian Atkins while plying his trade with Thame United in the Isthmian League.
And his move to City finally reunites Louis with a former Thame teammate – City boss Justin Merritt.
“Me and Justin go way back,” he said.
“It’s a bit of a new situation for me, having him as my manager now.
“I’ve kept in contact with him a bit and throughout last season we were in contact.
“I was at Wealdstone at the time, but I said to him if he ever wants to give me the call I’ll play for him.”
Louis’s arrival at City is the latest move in a career that can best be described as nomadic – taking in no fewer than 32 different clubs.
And while Louis was reluctant to discuss the ins and outs of his colourful transfer history, at the age of 37 he is showing little sign of slowing down.
While many of his contemporaries have hung up their boots, Louis still hopes to continue his playing career as long as he possibly can.
He said: “At my age, I just take each game as it comes.
“I look young, I feel young, but my body is old really and you never know what might happen – I just want to play for as long as I can.
“I still feel I have something to offer and I have a lot of experience.
“If the younger boys listen and take on board what I say to them they’ll go a long way.”
THE 35-MOVE JOURNEY
2000-02 Thame United
02-04 Oxford United
03 Woking (loan)
04 Gravesend (loan)
04 Forest Green Rov
04-05 Woking
05 Bristol Rovers
05 Hemel H’stead Tn
05 Lewes
05 Worthing
05-06 Stevenage Boro
06 Eastleigh
06–07 Yeading
07 Havant & W’ville
07-08 Weymouth
08 Maidenhead Utd
08 Mansfield Town
08-09 Wrexham
09-10 Crawley Town
09-10 Rushden & D (loan)
10-11 Gainsborough Trin
10-11 Darlington
11 Weymouth
11 Hayes & Y’ding
11 Maidenhead Utd
11-12 Brackley Town
12 Lincoln City
12 Newport County
12 Whitehawk (loan)
13 Brackley Town
13-14 Hendon
14 Margate
14 Lowestoft Town
14-16 Wealdstone
16 Staines Town
16 Oxford City
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