Simon Appleby the most capped player at Basingstoke RFC

Simon Appleby, 43, has played rugby for Basingstoke for nearly four decades and by the time the weekend is over, will have made history as the most capped player at the club.

"I love the club," he told the Gazette, "it has been a big part of our family life for a long time. I've been playing since I was five years old and made my first senior appearance in 2000."

Since then, Simon, a firefighter by profession, has racked up 276 senior appearances for the side - the joint most alongside former captain Neil Young.

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Simon's favourite photo from his career (Image: Simon Appleby)

He is due to male his 277th appearance on Saturday, January 25, when he will become the most capped player in the history of the club.

"I've never been about personal milestones," he said, "the main reason I carried on is because of the lads I play with, it's such a good group of boys.

"I know it sounds corny to say but ultimately it's the friends you make and the club itself that make you want to come back for more."

Originally playing as a flanker but now in the back row as a number 8, Simon explained how he has seen the club at its highest highs and lowest lows.

He said: "I've been a part of teams at very high levels and very low ones too, there has been a lot of winning, a lot of losing but it's all part and parcel.

"There was one season where we went unbeaten and just last season we got promoted and are currently 4th in the league, we might be punching above our weight but we can go toe to toe with the teams around us."

He explained how apart from one other player, most of the team are young players who have around 30 caps each. "They probably see me as a bad penny for sticking around this long," he joked.

"I've seen plenty of personnel change over the years, new staff, playing fields changing rooms.

"But it is the togetherness that makes it, there is a real team ethos and the social side is strong with the boys."

To celebrate his achievement, Simon plans to "get drunk with the boys," adding that "many beers will be consumed."

He also said that the club is always on the lookout for more players and wants to establish a third men's team.

"If you're thinking about joining a team, come here, come and try us, we've got lots of young up and coming talent and we want to establish this third team."