Local football legend Stuart Burton is refusing to hang up his boots after 900 games for Easingwold Town.

The 55-year-old was given a substitute's role against Hammerton Reserves on Saturday to complete the milestone - 40 years after making his debut on the right wing against Dunnington Reserves.

The right winger had a trial with Leeds United when he was 16 and also played for York City 'A' as a youngster but his long term loyalty lies with Easingwold in the York and District Leeper Hare League.

"I started on the wing when I was 15 and we lost 7-5. My father was chairman for a year or two and, when he died, I carried on as secretary," said Burton, of Huby.

"I have been secretary since I was 23 and I am also on the league committee. My wife has been saying for ten years to pack it in. But I will keep my boots. I am not in bad health - I had no pace anyway."

Burton, who works for Great North Eastern Railways in York, revealed he was also the club's chief kit washer and pitch marker, as well as turning out for the second string in the Reserve 'C' division.

Said Stuart, also an Easingwold cricketer: "I get involved with the club so much because I have had so much enjoyment out of it. I like to put a bit back into the game.

"I will carry on as long as I am fit enough. The only reason I would play from now on is if we are short of players. It was just to get to 900."

He said the highlight of his 40-year stint was Town's Senior Cup victory over Rowntrees, when they drew at Bootham Crescent before going on to win the replay at Stillington.

Burton, the butt of many a walking stick joke among team-mates, admits he is no longer a wily winger but more of a solid right back or right-sided midfielder.

"The last two or three games I have only been sub. Last year I got a few games in because we were short. This year we are falling over with young kids," he said.

"All the young lads give me a lot of stick but it is nice to see the club with so many youngsters. Because I was close to 900 I asked them to get me on a couple of times."

Leeper Hare League secretary Ernie Fairclough said he was not aware of any other player in the league's 100-year history who had come anywhere near Burton's number of appearances.

He said it was all the more remarkable that his record had been built up playing for just one club, just on Saturdays.

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