There are few clubs that can boast a record like Pitching In Southern League Premier South outfit, Sholing, who have no fewer than six players in their current squad who have each made over 400 appearances for the club.
Between Daniel Miller, Lee Wort, Ryan Gosney, Daniel Mason, Byron Mason and Marvin McLean there are a mind-boggling 3,437 games for the Hampshire outfit.
Veteran defender McLean leads the way with 792 games and he is closely followed by popular midfielder Byron Mason who has 715 outings to his name.
Front-man Daniel Mason is next having racked up 559 appearances, whilst Wort sits on 520 then comes defender Miller with 451 games. Having celebrated his landmark 400th outing at the weekend, goalkeeper Gosney is a mere novice in comparison.
We asked each of them what the secret was behind the longevity at the club.
“There’s no secret,” insisted Gosney. “This club is different; what Dave Diaper [Head of Operations who stepped down as manager earlier in the season after a fantastic 25 years in the job] has built here is amazing. It’s not just now that such loyalty is being shown, even before I joined there were so many long-serving players here.
“You have to give Dave Diaper huge credit for building a family, not just a football club.”
Byron Mason agreed: “This is just one big family, from the management, players, volunteers and fans, everyone is in it together and as players we just enjoy being out there representing the club on the pitch.
“I have seen so many players here rack up hundreds of appearances, it’s normal for us.”
“That family vibe is something that you feel straight away,” continued Daniel Mason. “Even when I was in the youth team, you still feel part of things, everyone is embraced here, we’re all mates off the pitch as well as on it and will continue to be mates well beyond our football years.
“It’s because of that bond that we have all stayed together so long and have helped the club climb up the Leagues.”
Lee Wort added: “The environment that has been created here over many years is so special. It makes it so appealing for players to stay and fight for the cause. It’s the people that make the club and we have so many good ones who have been around a very long time.”
The club has risen from Step 5 to Step 3 since 2019 and are currently giving a good account of themselves at the highest level they have competed at.
It’s been quite a journey with some great memories along the way.
“Securing promotion at the end of last season is something that will stay with me forever,” admitted Gosney. “The majority of the team were together in the Wessex Premier days so to be taking on some of the big clubs at this level is unbelievable.”
“For me, the stand-out moment will always be captaining the side to victory in the FA Vase at Wembley,” added Byron Mason with a smile. “What a great day that was and it only acted to bring us all even closer together.
“To be part of history in the making with this and also helping the club reach its highest-ever level is something that no-one can ever take from me.”
Daniel Mason added: “The League game where all three Mason brothers scored was very special. It received plenty of coverage, which was a proud moment for the family and the club, but winning the play-off final last season in front of our fans was a truly wonderful day.
“Achieving personal milestones for appearances and goals is always nice, but that play-off victory was reward for so much hard work by so many people and it will go down in the history books forever.”
“Representing this club at Wembley is my standout moment,” insisted Wort. “To play on the hallowed turf was special, but to also win there was a dream come true.”
As we concluded our conversation, we asked the players whether they expected to be around at the club so long when they made their debuts.
“No way!” replied Gosney without hesitation. “I didn’t even imagine signing for the club back in 2015. The joke amongst the lads is that I didn’t even like Sholing back then having played against them many times.
“People used to say that I’d end up playing for them and I was adamant that I wouldn’t. Nine years and 400 appearances later and here I am!”
It was a different story for Byron Mason. “When I was made skipper at a very early age, I knew that I would be here for the long haul! To have that trust placed in me meant so much. There have been ups and downs along the way, of course, but my aim was always to help the club reach the Southern League Premier and I am proud to have achieved that in my 715 games.”
“Watching the talented players that we had in the first-team when I was a youngster, I didn’t feel that I had it in me to step up to that level,” admitted Daniel Mason. “But I worked hard and was so determined to get on that pitch with my two brothers and all of the effort eventually paid off.
“I am proud of the achievement and I hope that there are many more appearances for the club to come for me.”
“In football you never know what is around the next corner,” added Wort. “It’s such a short career, players come and go and anything can happen with injuries, but I’ve been lucky and to have played over 500 times for the same club is a crazy achievement and something that I am so proud of.”
The Boatmen set sail to Hungerford Town in their next game on Saturday.
IMAGE: DB Photography
Most clubs are looking for volunteers. Find out more on the button below:
www.PitchingInVolunteers.co.ukAll the news and results in one place.
REGISTER