Lloyd Howard, known as "110 Per Cent", is the heart and soul of Goonellabah FC and never leaves anything out on the field. However, he told his teammates last weekend he had decided to stop playing First Grade. For this week's Sunday Profile, Lloyd looked back on a sterling career and talked about why he's decided to call it a day.

I've been playing prems for Goonellabah for probably the last eight years, and I've decided to hang up the boots as I've got a young family now, and another one on the way early next year. I'm not getting any younger as well, so I thought it was time. The time feels right for me.

I've been playing football, since I was five years old. I played a lot of my juniors in Sydney for a club called Eschol Park. When I moved up here about 13 or 14 years ago, Goonellabah was the local team, so I decided to sign up with them.

I was always probably first division in juniors and then when I came up I just didn't know anyone basically. I did meet a few blokes before I signed up to soccer up here through work and they were playing in thirds so decided to go in with those guys and they have become really good mates of mine.

I had a good four or so years playing third grade. As my mates got a bit older they left so I decided to have shot at the prems and, through a bit of hard work and determination, made the squad. I've been playing in the prems side since then and captained the boys this year as well, which is a really proud moment for myself personally.

Lloyd scoring against Rovers. PHOTO: Supplied.

I've always loved being outside. I love all sorts of sports. I love rugby league as well but I guess growing up mum and dad put me into soccer and I just had a knack for it straight away. I just loved it. There's nothing better than running around out there with your teammates, going through tough times, good times, wins, losses. Mentally and physically it's good for you. Goonellabah have always been good to me ever since I moved up here, so I've always really enjoyed giving back to them over the years as well.

Football is a massive part of my life. I look forward to it every weekend. I still get nervous running out on Saturdays. I'll always play. Football will always be a part of my life. It's taught me valuable life lessons and I've met great mates.

The Goonellabah Football Club has always been great to me, not just the players I've played with but also the coaches. I've had a few different coaches through the years and they've all really helped me improve my game, and taught me valuable life lessons. Even from the bar staff to management, all the way down. It's just a great family club. I'll always give back to Goonellabah when I can. As long as I'm in the area, I'll always be a part of them. That's for sure.

I've always played up front in a forward roll striker type role. I've never been a world beater but when I play I've always prided myself on putting my heart into it. My nickname is “110 Per Cent”, and I guess the boys gave me that nickname because I train hard and when I run out I always try and give it my best, whether we're up three-nil or down three-nil. I always play to the final whistle and I guess I'm respected in that regard.

Looking back, we had some tough times back in 2013 and 2014 when we really struggled. We had to battle relegation there for around two years but we managed to stay up. We had a really young side and even though it was a tough time, it was still something I'll look back on as a time where we had to fight and dig deep and keep the club going and give back to the club, which was really nice and we managed to stay up.

Scoring the equaliser against Bangalow and then winning in a penalty shoot out to make the grand final in 2016. PHOTO: Supplied.

We got through there and rebuilt through 2015 and then into 2016, we won the comp, by five points. So we won the minor premiership. We had a really good coach then, Brendan Logan. He's become a really good mate of mine as well. He really helped take my game to another level that year, which was really good. We won the comp that year and made the grand final but unfortunately lost. That's football I guess. That year was very enjoyable for sure.

Lloyd and John Eakin, who was captain at the time and is now coach, with the minor premiership trophy in 2016. PHOTO: Supplied.

I'm always trying to just push myself to the next limit. As I said, I've probably never had the greatest of skill sets but I've always just kept my spot just due to really hard work and determination. I'd like to think I'm a big voice in the team and so the boys do look up to me as well. I like to pick them up with me as we play. I like to play an aggressive style of football sometimes as well. Maybe I get the odd card here and there, but I guess that's like anyone when you play that way.

The way I like to look at it is, for players like us in the local area, prems is the biggest stage we get to play at. We're not going to be going down and playing A League. So if this is the highest you're going to play, you might as well just give everything you've got. That's the way I've always looked at it definitely.

Goonellabah after winning the minor premiership in 2016. PHOTO: Supplied.

I guess it's a bit sad to be retiring, but I feel the time's right. At the end of the day, I've got a young family now and they come first. The body's not getting any younger. Recovery can be a bit harder as well. The time just feels right for me.

I’m not going to stop playing. I'll go down a couple of grades. I'll continue to play for Goonellabah as long as I can basically. As I get older I might look into coaching some juniors and going down that path. I've always prided myself on being a good club man so I'll always give back to Goonellabah where I can.

In the meantime, we've still got a job to do this year and I'm really confident we can get into the finals. Give it a red hot crack. It would be nice to go out with a competition.