700-up Andy’s hunger for the game is undiminished

It is a question Andy Day has been asked a hundred times before: how much longer do you think you can carry on playing? The Old Crossleyans prop’s 700th first team appearance in last Saturday’s 10-10 home draw with Alnwick inevitably meant the ugly subject of retirement was raised again.

But the answer was the same as always from the 49-year-old.

“I’ll go on as long as I am picked on merit and not compassionate grounds,” said the tough- as- teak Day, who is embarrassed by the fuss that surrounds every appearances landmark he reaches.

Crocs were determined there would be plenty of excitement over this one - they held a “party” at Broomfield last Sunday. A bumper turnout included RFU president Bob Reeves, and ex-Crocs player and Northampton coach Jim Mallinder.

Day, is not used to being the centre of attention with props often rugby’s unsung heroes, doing the hidden dirty work deep in a side’s engine room.

Day has gone quietly about his business on winter Saturdays for almost 30 years, having made his first team debut for Crocs as a 19-year-old on September 5, 1984 in a 12-9 win at Oldham.

He played six times in his first season and became a regular first choice after that.

Day tried his hand at a higher level with Wakefield for four season in the mid1990s but the lure of his local club drew him back and he has made the number three shirt his own ever since.

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Well done: Andy Day receives a salver to mark his 700 appearances from RFU president Bob Reeves at Broomfield last Sunday

While not big for a prop, Day has worked hard in the gym throughout his career and is deceptively strong.

But it is his durability in one of the most physically demanding roles on a rugby field which is the most remarkable.

He has missed 36 games in 26 seasons and has played every game in 10 of those seasons.

Day broke a cheekbone early in his career but a couple of bent fingers provide the only clue to the demands made on his body over the years.

Training has never been a chore and any lingering stiffness after Saturday games is now run off by refereeing junior matches involving Old Rishworthians teams on a Sunday morning.

Andy’s 15-year-old son Greg is learning the ropes and Day senior is clearly harbouring a hope that one day the pair might play in the same team.

There is a problem though. Greg is also a tighthead prop and Andy won’t be giving up his shirt without a fight!

Kiwi Sam Deacon about to score for Brods in Saturday’s narrow win overYork