The 43-year-old played his 483rd game for Matlock’s first XV on Saturday, beating the record previously held by Mike ‘Fire’ Pearson, who congratulated him after the win over Mansfield.

Poyser, who also played more than 100 games for Burton, is now eyeing up his 500th appearance in blue and gold.

“That’s obviously not far away and I would hope to pass that this season, barring injuries or barring selection,” he told the Mercury.

“I try and work hard for my place in the side. Hopefully, it’s not just guaranteed there.

“In a strange sort of way I would like somebody to come and take my position. But they will have to fight for it. I won’t give it to them just like that.”

Poyser puts his longevity in the game down to being fortunate with injuries and his love of the sport.

After playing Colts rugby at Matlock, and representing Derbyshire and the Three Counties, he moved to Burton in the mid-1990s and returned to the Meadows “for retirement”, but that was nine years ago and he’s still going strong.

“I love everything about the game, the competitiveness and the varied play within the game.

“You’ve got to have an all-round ability to play, it’s not just a case of being able to run, you’ve got to tackle, pass the ball and handle the ball.

“It’s not just down to one thing, which is good.

“And then there’s the off-field entertainment, I suppose you’d like to call it - the camaraderie.”

His own career try count is “immaterial”, he says, adding: “It’s a team game.”

And while there has been plenty of silverware, highlights don’t always include trophies but “beating sides which probably should be a lot higher than us within the league structure” does figure, but then, he adds: “At times the commitment from the lads at Matlock is far beyond perhaps what it should be as a club”.