Petr Cech puts on gloves again at 41 and plays for non-league side

Petr Cech was back between the sticks this weekend when he made a surprise appearance for Wessex League Premier Division side Andover New Street FC.

The 41-year-old former goalkeeper, who retired from professional football at the end of the 2018/19 campaign, has been living out his childhood dream since hanging up his gloves.

After leaving football behind following Arsenal's Europa League final defeat to Chelsea, he signed with Ice Hockey side Guildford Phoenix in 2019 and was named Man of the Match on his debut.

Cech continued to play for the club while serving as a technical advisor at old club Chelsea. In fact, he won an unprecedented treble with Phoenix during the 2021/22 season.

After leaving his post at Stamford Bridge following Todd Boehly's takeover, he penned a deal with NIHL South Division One side Chelmsford Chieftains before joining Oxford City Stars last year.

The former Czech Republic international does, however, have time to play the sport that allowed him to lift four Premier League titles, four FA Cups and a Champions League.

On Saturday afternoon, Cech featured between the sticks for Wessex League Premier Division side Andover New Street FC, who were playing in the The Jon Baxter Shield.

Taking to social media ahead of kick-off, Facebook page Love Andover confirmed that the former Chelsea and Arsenal goalkeeper would appear in the charity match.

"Tomorrow will see a day of football and community as Andover New Street Youth FC presents The Jon Baxter Shield," they wrote.

"The day starts at 10am with plenty of fun and football for the whole family. It's a day raising money for various charities. Vixens vs Foxes is at 3pm – which sees Chelsea legend Petr Cech in the match day squad."

Andover New Street also posted the below picture alongside the caption: "Champions League winner and Wessex League champ having a photo together."

pic.twitter.com/7i76blsBaY

— The Street 💚🖤⚽️ (@AndoverNSfc) April 27, 2024

Here's how fans on social media reacted to the scenes.

One said: "What’s Petr doing at Andover New Street?!?" while another commented: "Wtf how has this happened ahahahah."

A third wrote: "How has that happened," and a fourth added: "The ice hockey goaltender turning his hand to football."

A fifth added: "Imagine the opposition striker turning up hungover for the game and you spot Cech in between the sticks for the other side."

Speaking about his decision to play Ice Hockey following his football career, Cech made a somewhat surprising admission.

"It's a completely different level of pressure," Cech told the Daily Mail. "This is more fun than when you play a Champions League game for everything.

"I still have that feeling in myself because I want to perform. I want to win. I hate losing. It's the same feeling I had when I played football."

He added: "You still get that feeling when you're walking through the corridor, to the ice, surrounded by all these people. Maybe if there were 30 fans, it would be different. But the building is full. That's what I like."