As many of Penrith and District’s youngsters school journey ends, so does their Junior football careers.

Some carry on into further education, some go to colleges and some move into full-time work.

As their career path begins, what of their weekend lives, in which, they have played football on a Sunday since they were young whippersnappers?

The common answer is they carry on to Senior football on a Saturday afternoon in leagues such as the Westmorland League, which has three divisions.

I asked two lifelong team-mates - Robbie Simpson, a goalkeeper and Joe Henderson, a midfielder – from their Junior team Castletown Rangers, just what it was like as they moved up to play for Wetheriggs United.

Wetheriggs have a first team in Westmorland Division One and a reserve team in the league below, in which, both players have featured for this season.

Both teams are based at Castletown Recreation Ground, locally known as The Rec.

When asked what the biggest difference between Junior and Senior football was, Henderson said: "Most definitely the physical side of the game as it’s a lot harder but a challenge which is enjoyable."

The two agreed with the physicality change as Simpson described it as "a whole new ball game, stepping up from Junior football" to Senior football.

On the topic of team-mates being, not just friends from school that you see most days and socialise with often, to now team-mates that are numerous years older and are more experienced, Simpson saw benefits.

He said: "They like to help you become a better player."

Henderson added: "It is good to have team-mates that are older and make new friends, however, I do miss playing with all my mates that I progressed my career with."

Both players relished the opportunity to play away games and Henderson said: "The journeys are good and I like away days. It’s a good experience to play at new places."

Simpson added: "We used to travel places most weeks at Junior level, the only difference is the distances."

Another significant difference between Junior and Senior football is that changing rooms are used each week.

The goalkeeper explained "you get more of the atmosphere in the changing room in the build up to kick-off, you also see how people mentally prepare themselves" and Henderson seems to enjoy the new surroundings.

He continued: "It is a good atmosphere and a place where we can all concentrate and talk tactics with each other."

With personal hurdles to overcome, such as adapting to life in the Westmorland League, the midfielder said: "I feel as though I have got the hang of things and I’m enjoying it."

Simpson, on the other hand, said: "I had trained with the Seniors for a number of years before I was eligible to play for them. I feel as though this improved the way I played in junior football as a result.

"As well as physical challenges, footballing challenges are also a tough task."

Henderson said: "Week in week out, no game is an easy game and each game has to be taken individually."

With Henderson turning 16 before the end of last season, he did feature for Wetheriggs Reserves 10 times last season in a blend of starts and substitute appearances, bagging six goals.

Simpson said: "I’m still only young, so it helps me improve my skills for the future to make me into a better player overall."

Finally, Junior football certainly impacted both players and was massively positive for, not just themselves as footballers, but as people, too.

Simpson said: "I loved playing games against mates from school that played for other teams."

Henderson added: "I made a lot of friends and shared all the triumphs we had as a team, with football being something I love, playing it for eight years with friends made it something special to me."

Junior football was an integral part of these two players’ lives and has been for many others all over the county, showing its power and positive effect it can have on people’s lives and character.

Senior football may be a big step up but it certainly is accessible for anyone who enjoys football like these two compatriots.