A HEREFORDSHIRE footballer has proved that age is no barrier by scoring in the HFA County League at the age of 60.

Brian Pilliner came off the bench to net for Wellington Colts in a 6-1 Division One win against Weston-under-Penyard.

Pilliner has been playing football for 50 years and in that time has never been booked.

"It's my first season at Wellington and it was nice to score on my debut," said Pilliner.

"I have been working hard to get my chance but I can only really play 30 to 45 minutes these days because my legs are not like they used to be.

"I played for a school football at 10 then Bodenham Boys and Men's at 16.

"I have played ever since for the likes of Burley Gate, Pencombe and Leominster Reserves.

"I just love playing football and am not keen to watch it.

"I wanted to play at 60 and if I get through to the end of the season then maybe I will finish playing."

Pilliner has seen it all during his time in the game, but says it's difficult to compare what the standard is like now to when he first started playing.

"It is all relative, you cannot compare football today to what it was 30 or 40 years ago," he said.

"There is no contact in football now though, whereas years ago I saw guys get concussed from challenges.

"It's just a shame that kids don't want to play it any more.

"There used to be five or six leagues with 22 to 25 teams in each one, now we're down to three."

Wellington Colts manager Dave Olive said it is a remarkable achievement for someone of Pilliner's age to compete against players young enough to be his grandchild.

"He came to Wellington in pre-season and asked to train with the club," said Olive.

"I believe he was informed from the start that the club have a under-17s side that they were looking to bring the players through from during the season into the men's leagues so he knew his game time may be limited.

"This did not bother him in the slightest as he just wanted to train weekly and turn up on a Saturday with the team, whether it was running the line or being an unused substitute.

"Obviously on Saturday he came on and scored but he worked hard to get into the position to score it so fair play to him.

"He really is a top clubman who trains every week and is there every Saturday and I'm sure the clubs he has played for previously would say the same.

"There certainly isn't enough players with his level of commitment in local football especially in the younger generation."

John Buchanon led the way for Wellington Colts by scoring four goals in the match, with Joe Payne also on target.

Kingstone Rovers and Hinton reserves both have 100 per cent records, with their latest wins coming against Ledbury Town Reserves and Ewyas Harold Reserves respectively.

Holme Lacy are the new leaders of the Premier Division after two James Upcott goals saw them beat Hereford Lads Club Reserves 4-0.