‘I’M SCARED TO CALL IT A DAY’
Potters striker admits he’ll weigh up options when time is right
PETER Crouch admits he’s a little scared to lower the curtain on his playing days as he enters the twilight of a terrific career for club and country.
Crouch, who is 38 at the end of next month, is waiting to see if Stoke City let him go in the January transfer window.
But even if he remains, he is out of contract at the end of the season and facing a big decision over his next move in life after eight years in the Potteries.
That may not be the end of his involvement with Stoke, however, as he might seek to stay on in a coaching role.
“I still feel fit, I still feel hungry and I actually love it,” said the former England international, who was speaking during a Christmas visit to the Donna Louise yesterday.
“I’m actually scared to call it a day in a weird way because it’s all I’ve ever done.
“But I’m on the last leg of my coaching badges. I did my ‘B’ licence, I’ve done my ‘A’ licence now.
“I’ve just got to do my assessment for that.
“I’ve done a bit of media, the book, and got a column, so I’ve dipped my toe into both (media and coaching).
“So I’d like to go straight into something, be that coaching, or lend some support to this football club, which has been so good to me, and coach in some capacity.
“Or somewhere else, or whether or not I go into the TV side of it.
“I don’t know to be honest, but what I will do (in the meantime) is work for this football club to make sure it gets back to where it belongs.”
Stoke entertain Millwall on Saturday at the start of a period of four games in 10 days and Crouch is now hoping that could see him enjoy a greater taste of senior action after just two league starts to go with his 15 appearances from the substitutes’ bench this term.
“Obviously I haven’t played very much,” he acknowledged, “but I know that if called on I’m still training well and still involved.
“I will always be ready if called on from the bench and I know I can start games and play, but it’s up to the manager.
“I know when you get to a certain age there’s a stigma and that you have to be on the bench and that, I understand.
“And what I will do is keep myself fit for any call to play, be professional and be ready.
“There are loads of games (over Christmas) and hopefully there will be a bit of an involvement for me soon.
“Towards the end last year I was scoring goals in the Premier League, so I know I can do the same in the Championship.
“I don’t know what will happen in January window and I don’t know what will happen at the end of the season.
“I’m not going to be kicking and screaming to leave in January, but if something comes up that’s attractive and right for both parties, then of course I’ll take a look at it.
“But for me, I am happy here, I’m settled and it would take a great offer for me to look elsewhere at this moment.”
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