Oh to be 50 again.

When I still thought I was invincible, enjoying work and before multiple cancers, exhausting radiotherapy, debilitating chemo and bone marrow transplants dragged me down.

But, here's the thing. In 2013 I began to feel I wouldn't make 70; now I'm closer to 80 and still compus mentus enough to play games on the PC I built myself, drive fast when it is safe to do so, do the occasional spot of light gardening, make a pot of tea for my dear wife most mornings, enjoy a snifter or three of my favourite whisky in the evening and, arguably most life affirming, try to stay chipper even when the Palace are on a losing run.

So, don't fret about turning 50 nickyf, you might not have the same levels of energy you had in your 20s, but there's still a lot of fun to be had, it just takes more time.

Dad and I watched games standing on the muddy slope of the Holmesdale Road end. He cheered and I rattled.

Being healthy isn't necessarily about longevity, although it might help, but more about quality of life.

The idea that drinking too much, constantly eating unhealthy food and smoking makes life more enjoyable seems a bit flawed to me.

If I did all those things, I am absolutely certain that I would feel and look like shi-te. How does that make life better in any universe?

When my dad left my mum back in the 80’s he was already seeing a woman 21 years his junior, he died early at 60, being worn out by a much younger woman would be a great way to go if you’re going to die young, but alas it was cancer that got him, although I know he enjoyed the last 20 years of his life

Made in Bromley

Oh, sure. I had cataracts in my 50s and now need reading glasses but apart from that...oh, and a snooze is a lot more enticing than it used to be.

Libido. In your 20's you are like a dog visiting the house of a b1tch in heat - and running around in circles all excited.

By the time you get to your 50's you may get to more closely resemble a civilised human being.

Eze Peasy at Anfield....

If you’ve got no energy lose weight and go to the gym. If this doesn’t help get your testosterone checked. 50 is far to young to be feeling old.