There are certain milestones in football that deserve more than a passing mention and Zahid Choudhary reaching 300 first team appearances for FC Peterborough is certainly one of them.

On 26th September 2026, Zahid led the team out as captain against Coventry Sphinx in the United Counties League Premier Division South. Although the game ended in a 3–2 defeat, Zahid started the game, captained the side and fittingly, put in another strong performance in an FC Peterborough shirt.

There is a certain symmetry to the occasion because his very first appearance came over twelve years earlier, on 30th August 2014, in FC Peterborough’s first ever competitive game against AFC Stanground in Peterborough & District League Division Five.
That game also finished 3–2 to the opposition. The difference between those two games tells you everything about the journey.

From Division Five of the Peterborough & District League to Step 5 of the National League System. Different grounds, different players, different levels and countless changes along the way but Zahid has been there throughout it all. He is the only player to have been part of that first season in 2014 and represented the first team in every season since.

For me personally, it is difficult to put into words just how important he has been during the years I have managed this team.

When I took over, I had a very clear idea of how I wanted us to play. Implementing that takes players who understand football, who are tactically intelligent and most importantly, who are prepared to put the needs of the team ahead of themselves. Zahid was absolutely fundamental to making that possible.

Earlier on, we used him in numerous positions because he simply had the ability to play almost anywhere. More recently, he became a cornerstone of the team at left-back. If you ask Zahid about that, he will happily tell you how much he hates me for making him play there!

But it was never really a conventional left back role. We gave him attacking freedom and positional freedom, the licence to join attacks, come inside and support the midfield, dictate play and influence the game wherever the space appeared. He understood exactly what I wanted from that position and excelled in it.

Without him there, I genuinely don't think I could have implemented our style of football in the way that I wanted. He has also been my captain throughout my time managing the first team, and his contribution goes far beyond what people see on a Saturday afternoon.

Being my younger brother probably means he gets away with saying things to me that others wouldn't! He certainly isn't afraid to tell me when I've been crap, when I've made the wrong decision or when he thinks I need to do something differently. But I've always valued that honesty.

Underneath everything is someone who is incredibly humble but fiercely driven. He wants the best from himself, he wants the best for his teammates and above all, he wants the best for FC Peterborough. His loyalty to this club should never be underestimated.

There were periods, particularly from around 2016/17 onwards, when Zahid could comfortably have left and played higher. He had the ability to play at Step 4 and potentially beyond that. Instead, he chose to invest some of the best years of his football career into FC Peterborough and into what we were trying to build.

The rewards of that commitment can now be seen.

He has helped take this club through the Peterborough & District League, played a major role in our promotion to its Premier Division, helped us make the enormous step into the Eastern Counties League and was then part of the side that earned promotion again to bring FC Peterborough to Step 5 and the United Counties League Premier Division South.
Those promotions aren't simply entries on a player's record. They form part of his legacy at this football club.

300 appearances only tells part of the story.
Zahid hasn't always had the kindest relationship with injuries and, without the amount of football he has missed over the years, I have no doubt we would already be talking about 400 appearances rather than 300. Despite that, he remains our record first team appearance holder.

As his manager, I couldn't have asked for much more from him. As his brother, I'm incredibly proud of what he has achieved. As someone who has been part of FC Peterborough's journey alongside him, I know exactly how much of himself he has given to this club.

From AFC Stanground in Division Five on 30th August 2014 to Coventry Sphinx at Step 5 on 26th September 2026.
Twelve years, three hundred appearances, multiple promotions.
It would be easy to finish this as though it were a retirement tribute. It isn't though. There are still games to play, more memories to make and, knowing Zahid, more arguments with his manager about playing left back. The journey isn't finished yet.

Congratulations on 300 appearances captain.

Shahzad Hamid
1st Team Manager