Stoke City: Royals appointment revives Griffin's career

FORMER Stoke skipper Andy Griffin reckons he's got another five years of football left in him after finding a new lease of life on loan at Reading.

And he's delighted now that regular football has replaced a Saturday afternoon visit to Tesco with his family.

The 30-year-old defender, pictured right, who last played a league game for Stoke 12 months ago, has become an instant hit at Reading after helping inspire a mini revival for the Championship strugglers.

"It feels a bit funny waking up on a Saturday morning and knowing that you're going to play," he confessed.

"It's a great feeling. I've gone too long with not playing and all of a sudden I've got games coming thick and fast.

"I'm aware that more or less through the whole of this month we have two games a week, and I'm sure I can cope with that.

"If I wasn't playing at Stoke I would be at home, doing the garden and picking leaves, going to Tesco or seeing family.

"It is frustrating because all you want to do is play football, but sometimes you look outside the football world and into the real world, and life isn't so bad.

"It's great getting back into the swing of things and having that excitement on Friday evening... seeing people go into the ground the next day or you're on the coach going to the ground knowing you're starting.

"Being a footballer is probably the best job in the world, it's a dream come true."

Griffin still has more than 12 months left on his Stoke contract, but is likely to be considering his options when he returns to the Britannia Stadium in the summer.

"People are asking me what I'm going to do when I finish. I'm not a spring chicken anymore, but hopefully I've got another five years.

"I'm a little bit lazy off the field, so we'll see."

No spring chicken, perhaps, but still a nervous turkey when it comes to the pre-match build-up.

"I've been lucky enough to play at a high level and in big games and nerves are good.

"I think it builds up your concentration and regardless of what level you're playing at, you'll come up against good players and you need to be on top of your game.

"It's not as if I can't sleep before a game. It's just that buzz and some little butterflies in your tummy and this is what it's about, enjoying your football."

Now he finds himself in the thick of a relegation battle with Reading, but has no regrets after surviving similar skirmishes earlier in his career.

"I had it at Portsmouth when Harry Redknapp left and then came back and I think we were more or less odds-on to get relegated. But Harry turned it around.

"Whether you're going for promotion or are in a relegation fight, you always have to go out and do your best."