As a boy, goalkeeper Paul Bastock would hang on the crossbar like his idol Peter Shilton and now – many years later – he could surpass the great England stopper’s world record.
It’s been quite a journey for Bastock, all the way from an FA Youth Cup success at the age of 17 to this weekend’s Buildbase FA Vase match for Wisbech Town against Thetford Town.
His landmark 1250th competitive club appearance has taken an incredible 30 years for the goalkeeper to reach.
The 47-year-old has played for 19 different clubs in that time and hopes to catch up with Shilton before retiring from football at the end of this season.
“He’s my boyhood hero; I mean I remember him hanging on the crossbars trying to stretch himself. Me, not being the biggest, I emulated that and from 14 to 17 I used to hang on a crossbar,” he told ITV.
“I never grew anymore but my arms certainly got longer.
“Hopefully to surpass him on Saturday in an FA Vase game, it would be wonderful to meet the man.
“I would never have thought I’d be playing 30 years later, I’ve been trying to pack in for the last ten years but the wife keeps pushing me out the door.
“After retirement I’m going to concentrate on getting my handicap down on my golf.”
Bastock, nicknamed ‘Bazza the Cat’, started his career at Coventry City and at the age of 17 he helped them win the 1987 FA Youth Cup.
In 1993 the goalkeeper began a ten-year stint at Boston United, where he made an 678 appearance during two spells at the club.
He added: “Winning the FA Youth Cup was another thrill as was getting into the Football League with Boston.
“I also won a couple of play-offs with St Albans, one of which took them into the Conference. I love winning and keeping clean sheets just as much now as I did in those days.
“One highlight was obviously my Football League debut for Chris Turner at Cambridge United. I kept a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw at Colchester so I was happy.”
Bastock will be bring down the curtain on his illustrious career this season at United Counties League side Wisbech Town with manager Gary Setchell in awe of his history-making goalkeeper.
“Bas has had to go 30 years to break a record, that’s down to his enthusiasm and his appetite for the game and his desire to win still at 47 years old, it’s phenomenal.”
