Veteran Irish League defender Sean Ward has revealed the key to his longevity and success in football - sleep.
The 39-year-old reached the remarkable milestone of playing his 750th senior game on Tuesday night.
Ward has enjoyed a stellar career at Glentoran, Linfield, Crusaders and currently Glenavon, winning league titles at three of the four clubs.
Read more: That's What I Call Football podcast with Glenavon defender Sean Ward
He will turn 40 in January and still hopes to play into his fifth decade, as long as he stays fit and earns another contract in the Irish Premiership.
But what is the key to his fitness and good health?
"I wish I could bottle the answer and sell it. I have had injuries, but I have been lucky that the injuries haven't held me back for too long," he told Belfast Live's That's What I Call Football podcast.
"I love the game and I love playing. Nothing beats playing on the pitch. You look up and look around and it's your happy place.
"It is intense and the changing room is very unique. Very harsh, but I love being involved in it. I am still very fortunate to be involved in a great changing room.
Some footballers use yoga and pilates to prolong their own playing careers, while others adopt a radical lifestyle and nutrition change to extend their time on the pitch.
For Ward, however, a good old power nap has always been key to his recovery and resistance to serious injury.
"When I was young, probably around coronavirus > Covid time, I would have trained every single day. I looked after myself," he said.
"I have never been overly flexible, and it isn't something I worked on. But I was always big on sleep and I always got so much sleep.
"I would have left parties when I was younger if I felt I wasn't going to get 10 hours. And then Covid came, and then I had a wee baby Caleb who is over three, and I have another wee baby now who is 10 weeks old today.
"I don't get an awful lot of sleep these days, so I clutch on to the sleep I got over the years.
"As you get older it gets harder. And I don't train as much.
"I am always there doing something but I am not on the pitch as often. I just have to look after myself and I have a great medical team who look after me."
Ward added: "Quite a long time ago, certainly before the two kids came along, I used to sneak home to my mum's for a nap.
"My wife would give me a hard time because she didn't understand, but your body needs it to recover.
"So I would sneak off to my mum's for a 45-minute power nap."
As for the future, Ward admits his career will lie in the hands of others.
"The big one is getting another contract. You are only around as long as people want you around," he said.
"I am 40 in January and I have always wanted to play until I am that age. If I get the opportunity to do so I will certainly do it.
"If I don't then I will be satisfied with what I have done. But it will come down to opportunity.
"I feel good and feel fine, and I am still able to play most games. At times I do feel tired and sore, but there aren't many players over 30 who feel 100 per cent fit.
"I love playing, nothing beats it. So as long as I can contribute on the pitch then I will try and continue."
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