"With our family being from England it was probably only natural that I played soccer, but decided to make a change at the age of 16 and haven't regretted it one bit," Bassett said.

"I joined the Albion Park-Oak Flats club and played under-18s then thirds, before working my way up to first grade, playing halfback or five-eighth and won the Sammy Downes first grade Player of the Year in 1987.

"I think I played nearly 90 grade games for them, but in 1993 decided I needed a change and wanted to start playing for fun, and joined the Albion Park Outlaws in the Group 7 Regan Cup (third grade) competition.

"I received a framed jumper about three years ago from the Outlaws for my 300 games with them, so I really don't know my tally of games, but it would be a lot."

Surprisingly, despite being comfortably the oldest player still participating in the senior Group 7 competition, he said he still feels the same as he did many years ago.

He also believes his job as a plasterer helps the post-match recovery process.

"You have to get up every Monday morning and throw sheets [of plasterboard], and it certainly gives you a good stretch.

"I still go to training all the time and haven't missed a year of football since I started.

"I think that definitely helps.

"I still used to get sore after games in under-18s, so nothing has changed really."

When asked about whether he has ever considered retirement, he said it wasn't really an option at this stage.

"When I feel that I am not playing well and become a burden to the team, I will know that's the time to give it away.

"At the moment it's a season-by-season thing.

"I am currently playing off the bench and am just working on playing well when I get on the field, and getting my starting hooker spot back."