WHEN talking about the secret to enjoying a prolonged professional football career, surfing in shark infested waters and snowboarding would not be high up on the typical ‘doctor’s orders’.

But it has worked for adrenaline junkie Peter Thorne, who is now closing in on his 500th league appearance with League Two outfit Bradford City, with the 36-year-old putting his lengthy career down to his extreme lifestyle.

The veteran striker though hasn’t had life easy with a serious childhood bout of viral meningitis almost putting paid to his dreams before they had been realised, and he insists it was his teenage years at Blackburn Rovers that restored his hope and belief – just when he was set to give up.

He said: “I have got a hell of a lot to thank Blackburn Rovers for. The supporters may not remember me particularly but without them who knows what would have happened – I might not even have been a footballer.

“I had viral meningitis as a child and it was serious. At that time I was on Manchester City’s books but they released me. I sent the letters round all the clubs but no-one would touch me, except Blackburn Rovers. For that I will be forever thankful.

“That was a low time in my life. I didn’t know if anyone would take a risk on me because of what had happened before but Rovers saw something in me, and if they hadn’t who knows what would have happened?

“It was a fantastic time to be at the club and, although it was always highly unlikely I would break into the first team, I still believe I learned a lot.”

Thorne joined the Ewood Park youth ranks in 1991 but, before his £225,000 move to Swindon Town, only managed to make one first appearance, coming on as a substitute in Rovers’ 1994 Charity Shield defeat to Manchester United.

He did though witness at first hand the start of the Blackburn Rovers revolution, with Jack Walker’s money and passion for the club and Kenny Dalglish’s management guiding them on their way to that 1995 Premier League title.

In a familiar career pattern, Thorne quit Ewood just months before the ultimate glory but, looking back, he insists he has never regretted turning his back on the ‘easy life’.

He said: “Memories like playing in the reserves alongside Alan Shearer, when he was coming back from injury, will never go away. They got a new training ground as well and the place was just an amazing place to be.

“It was just time for me to move on though, as I knew I was never really going to challenge in the first team. It would have been easy to sit around in the reserves and just pick up my money but where was that going to get me?

“I would advise any young player to get out to somewhere where he is going to play. You only regret sitting on the bench and wasting your career.

“It is funny though any club I leave seem to go on to win something, look at Blackburn Rovers. You could look at it either way, I am either a good luck charm or a Jonah.”

Rovers travel to another of Thorne’s former clubs tomorrow, Stoke City, while the striker himself will be bidding for his first goal of an injury-disrupted campaign, as Bury visit Bradford.

He said: “It is fantastic seeing where Stoke are now as well. We won the Auto Windscreens Trophy when I was there but they have done fantastically to get to where they are now.

“Blackburn have also done superbly to be where they are still and these are the sort of clubs you want to see survive because they about more than just money. There is something special about them both.

“Hopefully I’ll be playing for Bradford but I guess a draw would be a good result for both of them. So I will hope for that.”

Thorne’s career has seen him play for seven clubs, including successful spells at Cardiff City and Norwich City, costing a total of almost £2.5million.

He is just three goals short of hitting his double century and, with his injuries hopefully behind him, is determined to keep donning the boots for as long as possible.

He said: “I have had a bit of a nightmare this season. I pulled my hamstring about three and half months ago but kept coming back too early and getting injured again. I took more time this time round and fingers crossed it is okay now.

“I guess when injuries become that bad you do start to wonder about how long you have got left but I feel fine now and hopefully I have got a bit of football left in me yet.

“I thought my last two years at Norwich were it to be honest. I got all sorts of injuries, needed a knee operation. I was probably ready to call it a day but then got a call from the gaffer at Bradford to see if I wanted to give it a year with them and I am still here three years later.

“Who knows what is going to happen. This season will probably be my last but I have been saying that every season for a while now. You are a long time retired aren’t you?

“I still do surfing, and yes I’ve come across a few sharks, and snow boarding and anything like that.

"I am bit of an adrenaline junkie. I actually think that has helped me prolong my career.

“During the close season it is all too easy to spend your time on the beach, eating and drinking - many do that believe me.

"I prefer to spend my time doing something, even if it is a little bit dangerous.

"I definitely feel the benefit in pre-season. That is the worst time of year but I always feel I am well prepared.”