Matt Oakley says he has no intention of hanging up his boots at the end of the 2014/15 campaign, after agreeing a new deal to stay at Exeter City.
The 36-year-old has penned fresh terms with the Grecians which will take him to 20 years in the professional game, having made his Southampton debut in 1995.
Oakley first arrived at St James's Park in 2011, and feels he is more than capable of continuing after the forthcoming campaign.
"I speak quite regularly to Paul (Tisdale) – we are quite close – and he agreed that I could play another two or three years if I was willing to do it," said the Peterborough-born player.
"As players get older, you can't go around giving out two or three-year contracts, so we have decided to take it year by year and Paul has been true to his word.
"There are not many players that keep going until the age that I have done so I am quite lucky in that respect.
"I really enjoy it and love playing the game. It is the training that takes its toll on your body.
"As you get older, it is tougher on your body so you are always looking for new things to help your body get through it.
"I can't just say I want to play though. If I am not performing well enough then Paul will be the first one to tell me that I am not getting a new contract."
Much has been made of the youthful look of City's squad for the 2014/15 season.
Veteran midfielder Matt Gill has linked up with former assistant manager Rob Edwards at Tranmere Rovers, while the likes of Artur Krysiak and John O'Flynn have also moved on.
The Grecians did receive a boost last week with Jimmy Keohane agreeing fresh terms but, with the club currently under a transfer embargo, it means hardened campaigners such as Oakley will be few and far between.
The former Derby County midfielder appreciates his role in helping the club's youngsters develop, but feels the maturity and experience gleaned from last season has already given them a headstart.
"If I can do anything to help the youngsters through my experience then that should be an advantage for them," he said.
"They speak all the time to the likes of Paul and the coaching staff and are willing to listen, so that can only be a good thing.
"Sometimes you get young lads that think that they know it all and come a little bit unstuck but we have a good group of young lads here.
"Things did get a bit tight at the end of the season with the young lads playing and the fans were not too happy about that, but there is a bigger picture behind playing the youngsters.
"Getting the young lads experience and playing in those games and getting comfortable in the first team does take time.
"They were quite pressurised games as well and you have to grow up quickly at the bottom of the table. You have to learn quickly what you have to do to win games, and last season will have been a big learning curve for them."
