By popular demand, the indefatigable Club stalwart Stewart Brown has laboured over his record books to produce the following table of career appearances for Fylde over the past 30 seasons. Stewart started his records at the beginning of the 1976/7 season; statistics on players in previous eras aren't easily available. The figures cover all games - league, cup and friendlies - and include playing appearances as replacements as well as those starting games.

This table describes a different, pre-professional rugby era. It is very difficult to imagine current and future generations of players getting anywhere close to the playing records of stalwarts such as Micky Weir, Dave Young or Mike Dixon. A much more hierarchical structure to the game, payment to players and the demands of week-in, week-out league rugby may mean that Jon Taylor is the last of that generation of players.

In 2008 the club introduced a comemorative tie for those players which have represented the 1st team in 50 or more games. A presentation took place after the final home game of the 2007/8 season with the ties handed out by then England head coach Brian Ashton.

Current players, if they maintain fitness and form throughout the season, generally make between 20 and 25 1st team appearances per season. Even at the higher number it would take a 23 year playing career to match Micky Weir's incredible achievement!

Readers will take different things from the table. Highlights include the try 'strike rates' of Nick Royle, Brendan Hanovan and Mark Preston, and the productivity of Steve Burnage.

For the Fylde career records of the players who are wearing the Claret & Gold in the current season, click here. These figures pick up the players with somewhat shorter Fylde careers.