I’m a former Premier League star now playing for Gary Neville’s team at 37 thanks to huge change to my diet

ADRIAN MARIAPPA is still marshalling defences at the ripe old age of 37.

The centre-back made his professional debut as a fresh-faced teenager 19 years ago after rising through the ranks at Watford.

Adrian Mariappa made his professional debut back in 2005 while he was at WatfordREUTERS

The centre-back is still going strong at the age of 37GETTY

Mariappa would spend the next 16 seasons playing in the Premier League and The Championship during his two stints with the Bees and spells with Bristol City, Crystal Palace and Reading.

The Jamaica international is still going strong in League Two with Salford United, much to the surprise of many.

And Mariappa attributes his longevity to his vegan diet, which he adopted nearly seven years ago and has helped alleviate his tendonitis.

He told The Mirror: “I felt it had a big impact on inflammation, especially on my tendons.

“I had tendonitis on my knees and that cleared up – I don’t have it anymore.

“That was the catalyst to cutting out pretty much all animal products from my diet and it’s something I’ve stuck to ever since.”

Mariappa doesn’t know if his change in diet is the sole reason why’ he’s able to play deep into his thirties, although he’s only missed THREE matches through injury since ditching animal-based products.

He said: “You don’t know what would have happened if I had stayed on my previous diet, but since that time I’ve missed three games through injury.

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Adrian Mariappa attributes his longevity to his vegan diet[/caption]

“I’m obviously over 30 and I’m playing in League Two now, where I am probably running more than I ever have in my career.

“I’m still hitting top speeds of 34.5kph – they’re good numbers for any centre-half, especially one at my age.

“I’m able to put myself through training every day and be available. I always wanted to play as long as I can and it’s tied in nicely.

“A common misconception of going plant-based is that it will affect your performance.

“If I felt it had, I probably would have reversed my decision. But so far I’ve been thriving on it and it’s just part of my lifestyle now.”

Getting his hands on nutrient-dense and tasty vegan food is a lot easier now than it was when Mariappa initially adopted the lifestyle.

He said: “I think society has changed and become a bit more open-minded.“There are a lot more options.

“Society has shifted and I’ve never had any troubles or dramas with that sort of thing.

“Lots of footballers follow different diets now and the clubs will want to maximise how the player feels and what is best for them, so more often than not they are willing to cater to them because everyone is different.

“When I first decided to make the decision, I got quite a bit of banter about it.

“One thing I found though was that the meals I was getting looked so good that a lot of the boys were trying them anyway.

“I’m always open to have conversations about it. I don’t try to put it in peoples’ faces; people just see that I’m eating differently and ask questions about it, which I’m always happy to answer.”