League Two may be a breeding ground for emerging prospects, but it also serves as the final frontier for footballers extending their careers deep into their late 30s and beyond.
Formed in 2004 as part of the EFL rebrand, League Two became the fourth tier of English football, replacing the old Division Three. While it’s known for providing young players a platform to break into senior football, it’s just as often a place where seasoned professionals wind down their careers.
The physical demands may lessen slightly compared to higher divisions, but the competitiveness and technical level remain high, and it’s not unusual for players in their 40s to still have a say on the pitch. This list proves exactly that, counting down the ten oldest players ever to score in League Two, and highlighting the experience and resilience needed to remain effective at such an advanced footballing age.
Billy Sharp – 39 Years, 2 Months, 21 Days
Doncaster Rovers vs Bradford City – April 26, 2025
Billy Sharp extended his remarkable goalscoring legacy in April 2025 when he netted the winner for Doncaster Rovers in a 2–1 victory over Bradford City. At 39 years and nearly three months old, Sharp became the youngest entry on this list but still the oldest ever goalscorer for Doncaster. The strike came in the final home game of the regular season and underlined his status as a natural poacher, always alert in the box.
A fan favourite at Bramall Lane, Sharp’s career has spanned more than two decades, including three spells with Sheffield United, as well as time at Southampton, Leeds United, Nottingham Forest, and Reading. He is the highest-scoring player in the Championship’s modern era and has racked up well over 250 senior goals. His return to Doncaster in the twilight of his career brought his journey full circle, having first made his mark at the club back in 2005.
Peter Beagrie – 39 Years, 3 Months, 5 Days
Scunthorpe United vs Rushden & Diamonds – March 5, 2005
Peter Beagrie rolled back the years with a crucial goal for Scunthorpe United in a 1–0 win over Rushden & Diamonds in March 2005. Aged 39 years and 3 months, the veteran winger was still turning full-backs inside out with trademark flair and balance. Known for his acrobatic goal celebrations and lethal left foot, Beagrie was instrumental in Scunthorpe’s promotion-winning campaign from League Two that season.
His career had begun at Middlesbrough in the early 1980s, before enjoying spells with Everton, Manchester City, and Bradford City among others. Beagrie made over 600 senior appearances and was renowned for his pace and delivery from wide areas. After retiring later in 2005, he became a familiar face to fans as a pundit on Sky Sports. His longevity and technical skill allowed him to compete at a high level well into his late 30s, a testament to his professionalism and natural ability.
Gareth Ainsworth – 39 Years, 6 Months, 21 Days
Wycombe Wanderers vs Bristol Rovers – December 1, 2012
Gareth Ainsworth found the net in a 2–0 win over Bristol Rovers in December 2012, becoming one of the oldest scorers in League Two history at nearly 40. It was a typically committed performance from the long-haired winger, who had already been appointed caretaker manager of Wycombe Wanderers just weeks earlier. Combining coaching and playing duties, Ainsworth’s goal showed he still had the drive and determination to influence games from the flank.
Ainsworth’s career was as colourful as his personality, with spells at Preston North End, Wimbledon, QPR, and Cardiff City before settling at Wycombe in 2009. Known for his rock-and-roll persona and fearless playing style, he eventually transitioned into full-time management. He guided Wycombe to multiple promotions and later had a short stint in charge of Queens Park Rangers. Ainsworth’s goal against Rovers symbolised the bridge between his playing and managerial careers, both marked by passion and perseverance.
Edgar Davids – 39 Years, 11 Months, 13 Days
Barnet vs Southend United – February 26, 2013
Edgar Davids shocked the English football world when he signed for League Two side Barnet in 2012, even more so when he scored in a 2–0 win over Southend United in early 2013, just two weeks shy of his 40th birthday. A global star with a résumé including Ajax, AC Milan, Juventus, and Barcelona, Davids brought an extraordinary pedigree to the division. His goal, a composed finish from midfield, demonstrated that his class hadn’t deserted him despite his age.
Initially a player-coach, Davids later took over as full-time manager. His time in charge was colourful, often controversial, and included him wearing the No.1 shirt while playing in midfield. Despite his high profile, Barnet were relegated at the end of the 2012–13 season, and Davids departed in early 2014. While his EFL stint didn’t yield great success, the Dutchman’s brief League Two chapter remains one of the most surreal, and his goal one of the most memorable in recent history.
Peter Clarke – 40 Years, 2 Months, 8 Days
Tranmere Rovers vs Mansfield Town – March 11, 2022
Veteran defender Peter Clarke became one of the oldest goalscorers in League Two when he powered home a header for Tranmere Rovers in a 3–2 win over Mansfield Town in March 2022. At 40 years and just over two months old, Clarke continued to defy age with his fitness, positional awareness, and leadership. It was one of several goals he contributed during that campaign, all coming from his trademark dominance at set-pieces.
Clarke’s EFL career spanned over two decades and included over 750 appearances for clubs such as Southend United, Huddersfield Town, Oldham Athletic, and Bury. Tranmere proved to be one of his final stops, where he played a vital role both on and off the pitch. He finally retired in 2023 after a brief spell with Walsall, drawing the curtain on a career defined by consistency and durability, and, in this case, scoring in his forties.
Dannie Bulman – 40 Years, 2 Months, 13 Days
Crawley Town vs Forest Green Rovers – April 6, 2019
Dannie Bulman continued his remarkable late-career run by scoring for Crawley Town against Forest Green Rovers in April 2019, becoming one of the oldest scorers in League Two at 40 years and two months. The combative midfielder latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the box to fire home, proving age had done little to dull his instincts or energy levels. It was a moment that typified Bulman’s tireless work ethic and commitment to the cause.
Having started his career in 1994, Bulman amassed over 800 appearances in English football, representing clubs such as Wycombe Wanderers, Oxford United, and AFC Wimbledon. He had three separate spells with Crawley, where he became a fan favourite and club captain. Even into his 40s, he continued to feature regularly, often outlasting players half his age. Bulman finally retired in 2021, earning widespread respect for a career rooted in professionalism, reliability, and unshakable determination.
Jamie Cureton – 40 Years, 7 Months, 19 Days
Dagenham & Redbridge vs Leyton Orient – April 16, 2016
Jamie Cureton added another milestone to his long and varied career when he scored for Dagenham & Redbridge in a 3–2 win over Leyton Orient in April 2016. Aged 40 years and nearly 8 months, the veteran striker was still showing the sharpness and movement that made him such a lethal presence across the divisions. The goal came during his brief but impactful spell with the Daggers, for whom he netted six times that season.
Cureton’s professional career spanned three decades, taking in over 300 goals for more than a dozen clubs including Reading, Norwich City, Bristol Rovers, and Cheltenham Town. Known for his poacher’s instinct and remarkable longevity, he continued playing semi-professionally well into his mid-40s. As of 2025, he remains involved in the game as a manager at non-league level, proving his commitment to football hasn’t wavered. Cureton’s name is rightly synonymous with goalscoring longevity in the lower leagues.
Andy Hessenthaler – 41 Years, 1 Month, 9 Days
Barnet vs Peterborough United – September 26, 2006
Andy Hessenthaler etched his name into League Two history in 2006 when he scored for Barnet in a 1–1 draw against Peterborough United. Aged 41 years and one month, the veteran midfielder was still dictating play in the heart of midfield, demonstrating the composure and tenacity that defined his career. The goal came from a deflected strike, but it was his leadership and experience that stood out most as he captained a youthful Barnet side.
Hessenthaler began his professional career relatively late, rising through non-league before joining Watford and later becoming a legend at Gillingham, where he made over 300 appearances and served as player-manager. His post-playing career has included managerial roles at Dover Athletic and Southend United. Known for his no-nonsense style and work rate, Hessenthaler was never flashy, but his effectiveness, even into his forties, made him one of the most enduring figures in the EFL’s modern era.
Paul Furlong – 41 Years, 6 Months, 5 Days
Barnet vs Chesterfield – April 5, 2010
Paul Furlong became one of League Two’s oldest ever scorers when he netted for Barnet in a 3–1 win over Chesterfield in April 2010, aged 41 years and six months. The experienced striker showed he still possessed the striker’s instinct, latching onto a loose ball to slot home and help his side secure a vital three points in their fight against relegation. It was a remarkable feat from a player whose career had already spanned over two decades.
Furlong’s professional journey included spells with Coventry City, Watford, Chelsea, Birmingham City, and Queens Park Rangers, where he enjoyed his longest and most fruitful stay. He remained a physical presence up front well into his late 30s and continued to influence games with his hold-up play and clinical finishing. After hanging up his boots, Furlong moved into coaching and is now involved in youth development at QPR. His goal for Barnet capped off a career built on consistency, professionalism, and quiet excellence.
Kevin Ellison – 42 Years, 5 Months, 15 Days
Newport County vs Oldham Athletic – August 7, 2021
Kevin Ellison made EFL history when he scored for Newport County in a 1–0 win over Oldham Athletic on the opening day of the 2021–22 season. At 42 years and five and a half months old, Ellison became the oldest goalscorer in League Two history. The goal was a low-driven effort from the edge of the box, his trademark celebration followed by a roar toward the visiting bench, fuelling a bit of extra narrative fire on the day.
Ellison’s career spanned over two decades and included more than 700 appearances for clubs such as Hull City, Chester, Lincoln City, Rotherham United, and Morecambe, where he became a cult hero during a nine-year stay. Renowned for his tenacity, physicality, and infectious personality, he became one of League Two’s most recognisable characters. He retired in 2023 and has since pursued work in mental health advocacy and media. His longevity, humour, and drive made him a lower-league icon, and a record-breaker to the very end.
