JAKE Buxton admits that he is looking at the future beyond his playing career, but the Brewers captain is keen to keep giving as much to the team as he can.
The 33-year-old came off the bench in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Shrewsbury Town, the latest in what has been a regular substitute role for the defender recently.
Buxton, who is currently studying for his UEFA A license coaching qualification, is open about looking to a career when his playing days are over but is adamant that he wants to continue playing and helping the squad improve for as long as he is able to.
He said: “I am that stage in my career where I still have a bit to give. Until someone tells me that I can’t put my boots on any more, I will continue to play. Whilst I am making the transition, I have a huge amount of respect for the football club and Nigel Clough, and I will continue trying to put my point across. If I can help players to improve, even if it (John) Brayford, (Ben) Turner or Fadz (Kyle McFadzean), if they can improve a little bit and keep me out of the side then I am doing something right to continue my development as a coach and, later in life, as a manager.
“I think that when you have been a leader as a captain, that is the role that I have continued without playing. I have continued to be the same person that I have been for 10 years in the dressing room, the same person trying to keep standards on the training pitch.
“I am going through the process of my A licence (coaching qualification). That is the next step, I want to continue playing for as long as I can. If an opportunity comes up here or somewhere else later down the line if I keep playing after this season and the opportunity arises to take over somewhere, be a coach or take over a youth team, you can’t plan your future when you get to this age, I think things just happen and you have to make that decision come that period of time.”