World Cup 2018: Is 101-year-old dad and 75-year-old son world's oldest fan and player?

It's World Cup time! Never mind the next generation getting inspired by England striker Harry Kane and the world's best footballers, there’s hope for the older national side thanks to a septuagenarian playing for England.

75-year-old John Shannon is still playing football for his nation as an England international player and is cheered on at every match by his 101-year-old football-loving dad.

Billions may watch England's Harry Kane aim for the coveted Golden Boot in the World Cup but John Shannon is also kicking a ball about for his country.

Though many people his age are fearful of being injured by a fall at home, John Shannon is not afraid to run about a muddy field and face extreme weather to play for England’s over 65s.

Tale of two John Shannons

John Shannon made his debut playing for England three years ago. When competing in England’s over 65s' matches, he finds he can play anywhere on the pitch.

“It keeps me fit and it’s fun", John Shannon told the BBC.

His 101-year-old dad - also called John Shannon - braves all weathers to get out to watch his son play for England, as well as club football every week - which is often against players at least half his age.

John Senior said: ”I support him when I can. Certainly, for international matches."

'If you get someone quicker, you're dead'

While older footballers this World Cup including Argentina's Lionel Messi have gone home thanks to youthful players like France's Kylian Mbappe (the first teenager to score twice in a World Cup since Pele), this 75-year-old is outplaying much younger opponents.

As well as playing for England, John Junior is playing against footballers decades younger than him (aged 35+). He said: "These days, I still play eleven-a-side in one of the local teams and also play three or four times a week in one of the various small-sided games of which there are many around Cambridge."

Referring to a big advantage of being older on the pitch, he said: “But to some extent we can play because we read the game better than some of the younger players, and we get into places that can be effective.”

But he warns: “If you get someone who’s really quicker, you’re dead”. Thankfully for John Junior the pace of the beautiful game has not led to any fatal results for someone who is perhap's the world's oldest football player.

John Junior admits it is not really a level playing field for older people, himself included. This, he says is one of the reasons he is pressing for veteran categories for people aged over 35.

With his son all over the pitch, John Senior denies his elderly offspring is ‘over the hill’. John Senior said: “He’s slim, he’s fit. He doesn’t look like a slow man on the field, in fact he’s one of the quickest.

“It’s a great feeling. I would urge all those people who are having second thoughts about giving up - don’t give up. Keep playing.”

John Senior still believes his son has what it takes on the pitch. Perhaps the nation should dare to still believe in the country's younger squad when it shouts 'Come on England!'