“I AM at home on a Saturday and I will be home at Christmas and New Year – things that I had to sacrifice as a professional.’’

Those are the words of Swindon Supermarine’s latest signing, former Swindon Town defender Jerel ‘The Beast’ Ifil.

Ifil, 36, played more than 200 games for Town before non-league stints including Kettering, Sutton, Boreham Wood and Staines coincided with the set-up of his full-time business which mentors young adults with learning difficulties and behavioural needs.

Coupled with his personal training requirements, Ifil only this summer got that buzz back for the game which largely dictated his younger years.

After rejecting Swindon Supermarine chairman Jez Webb’s offer to play at the Webbswood Stadium for Marine, Ifil changed his mind – agreeing to play for the club for the remainder of the season.

“Jez (Webb) was my client, I used to train him twice a week for eight or nine months,” said Ifil.

“It was always mentioned that if I wanted to come out of retirement and play for Supermarine I could, but I always refused.

“I was done with football – I’m very busy with my family and I had a lot of clients. But I’m getting older, and there will come a time in my life where I physically won’t be able to play football.

“I want to enjoy my last years and pass on what I know, I believe I have something to offer at this level. I’m still competitive.”

Krav Maga – an Israeli form of martial arts – has kept the London-born defender on his toes.

A busy family life - including his son, Christian, making progression in the Gloucester Rugby Development programme plus daughter Fayth starring in the West End hit ‘Tina Turner the Musical’ – has made time management a key for Ifil.

Despite being away from the professional game for six years, Ifil continues to approach each game with the same professionalism.

“When you’re a professional, you’re achieving a dream – I was always told I was never going to be a footballer.

“But that didn’t stop me. You always chase what you want, and I worked hard to play at any professional level.

“You’re part of a very small minority when you become a professional footballer.

“If you play a season as a professional, you’ve made it. If you make a career out of it, you’re blessed.

“I was an aggressive player – I used to get sent off.

“My mentality behind that was whoever I was playing against was trying to take something from me. If somebody scored against me and it made me look foolish, I’d immediately get aggressive about someone trying to take something from me.”

There is no Southern League match for Marine tomorrow.