When do you become a Senior player in a team……….. or a Senior person in life?

I turned 25 in April and for this quarter of a century celebration I received a garden strimmer from my mother!

I pulled ‘that face’ of fraud excitement and genuine happiness without hesitation as I looked at the boxed machine, pondering how much it would sell for on ebay.

As the weeks have gone by and my grass continues to grow like a scene from ‘Jumanji’ I thought why not give it a whirl and use my new present.

I felt very masculine and cave-man like as I tended to the wild grass with precision and ease, my new found excitement and manliness has got me thinking, when did I become so mature, easily pleased…….old!

Like a banana, a footballer's shelf life is very short.

Fifteen years at a professional level is a great achievement for the modern-day player and as soon as you hit the dreaded 30-year stage the obvious shouts of ‘Granddad’ and ‘Bobby Charlton’ begin.

I’m usually first to begin the ribbing.

But look at players such as Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and David James…….. All ‘past it’ but defying critics, scientists, doctors and funeral directors to play at the highest level.

An athlete does have some sort of natural ability, the certain speed, awareness, technical prowess that defines them.

But to look after your body is imperative, the players such as Giggs' ability to keep plying their trade is all down to living right, whether it be eating the correct food, no alcohol, …….yoga!

During the off-season, the lads will be given personal training programmes to adhere to, to stay on top of fitness throughout the summer.

Personally, I usually have a complete rest of three weeks. No weights, running or kicking a ball of any kind! After this time I will start to jog lightly, gradually intensifying my work-load to come back to pre-season in top condition.

When we return, I have the tough task of acquiring a new room-mate for our sometimes tedious away trips.

Whether it is an X-Factor style audition process or a lucky-dip situation, I am yet to decide.

My previous room-mates have had to be fairly similar to myself…… lively, comfortable in underpants and early to bed, 10:30pm latest!

You get into a routine on away days and every hotel can look the same. It’s difficult to be away from children and partners so a good ‘roomy’ is very important!

Let’s not forget, there is a lot of football being played while the non-playoff contenders are sunning themselves in swanky destinations.

The main highlight for most people will be the Champions League Final at Wembley.

I am predicting a win for Barcelona 2-1.

As fellow professionals we are constantly discussing Lionel Messi…….. Some say the greatest player ever, some say not, some can’t decide!

I am amazed by Messi but there are too many legendary players that have achieved more and graced World Cups that he hasn’t…….YET!!

For me I am a Zidane fan, the guy oozed class and I think personality can sway people’s decisions, something I think Messi doesn’t have in his make-up!

In this time of rest, footballers must fit in all extracurricular activities, holidays, coaching courses and, of course, weddings.

Two of our boys, Adam Bartlett and Michael Townsend are getting hitched a day apart from each other this summer, so I wish them all the happiness in the world and hope they both have great days to remember!

I’ve seen a few pics from one of the stag do’s and - let me tell you - I will be scarred for a while with the vision of a grown man wearing a nappy sucking a dummy!

For now, I’m really loving my time off, to get to spend my summer with my partner and daughter.

It’s going to be a brand new experience for me to take my little girl abroad which I’m sure we will both relish.

The holiday to Portugal will recharge my batteries after a tough 50+ game season.

I’m already missing training only three weeks into my summer break but as soon as that hunger leaves you, it’s time to stop!

I don’t plan on stopping…………