The 60-year-old midfielder is a positive role model for the younger players.

The club life member has no plans to hang up the boots.

Far from it: she can't wait for the Southern Districts Soccer Football Association season kick-off in April.

Training starts in a few weeks for her Liverpool Rangers's all-age third division team.

She also plays with the association's over-30s women's representative team.

"I didn't start playing soccer until I was 37," she said.

She has been hooked since her first game 23 years ago, she said.

"I will keep playing until I feel that I simply can't do so anymore," she said. "There are some days after games and training when I feel tired and a bit sore, but then I come good and I am ready to play again."

Peel also coaches the club's 14-years' girls' team.

Soccer is a family affair in the Peel household.

Husband, John, is a coach and official at the club and her daughters play for the Rangers.

Association secretary Ron Hughes said Lorraine Peel had made an "incredible contribution" to the sport.

"For the past 23 years, Lorraine has been a player, coach, manager, ground marshal, accredited referee, executive member of the committee and she is currently treasurer at Liverpool Rangers," Hughes said.

"Lorraine has given so much and we appreciate what she has done."