MOST footballers retire in their mid-30s, but Pencombe’s Brian Pilliner is out to show the younger generation that age is just a number, still running rings around opponents at the age of 56.

Brian, who has been playing football since the age of 10, is extremely keen to make it to 50 years playing the beautiful game.

“It would be a great achievement to get to the 50-year target," he said. "I’ve still got the passion for it - on Thursday I look forward to football, Friday I get excited and on Saturday I’m raring to go.

"I think it will remain that way until such times as the body won’t let me play anymore.”

As one of the founders of Pencombe football club, Brian, with his 28-year affiliation, is extremely proud of what the club has done and of the players that have worn the shirt.

“We started up in 1987 and I’m still here in a player/chairman role, which I still thoroughly enjoy," he said.

"It’s fantastic to turn out and play with these lads, I used be team-mates with their fathers.

"These boys today are brilliant, I don’t think there is a player that’s played for Pencombe, in all the years that I’ve been here, that I wouldn’t play with again.”

Captain Nicky White, one of the players who has played alongside Brian for a few of his many years, is glad to have him in his side.

“He is just so incredibly fit," said the skipper. "It’s great testament to the man that he can come on the pitch and totally change the game, as he did against Bromyard.

"We all hope that he can continue putting in these kind of performances for a few more years yet.”