Second-row Ashley Russell will make his 400th first-team appearance for Weston-super-Mare on Saturday (October 29) in the Regional 1 Tribute South West match against Camborne at Crane Park, kick-off 2.30 pm.
Russell, who made his first team debut in the National League 3 South 14-5 home victory over Redruth in December 2002 playing as blindside flanker, will become only the seventh player to have his name added to the Club's '400 Club' honours board.
He joins the following members of the 400 Club -
Chris Brown (1967/68 - 1994/95) 461
Colin Couch (1954/55 – 1970/71) 452
Paul Tincknell (1977/78 – 1997/98) 405
Andy Croker (1982/83 – 2000/01) 402
Paul Burgess (1971/72 – 1986/87) 400
Rich Hazzard (1966/67 – 1986/87) 400.
Weston's director of rugby, George Sparks said: "Ash optimises everything that our younger players should aspire to be at Weston-super-Mare RFC. He does everything that you want a player within your team to do.
“He supports his teammates; he works himself to a standstill ever single game and he thoroughly enjoys being part of Weston-super-Mare RFC.
“I am not sure how many other players will reach 400-appearances in the 1st XV again and if Ash is the last to do so, then I cannot think of a better person to join what is a very special group of people who have accomplished this outstanding feat”.
Russell has scored 41 tries for the first team, the first being against Lydney in February 2003. In addition, he has made 31 appearances for Weston United, scoring four tries, and had nine outings with Weston Athletic, scoring two tries.
He was appointed club captain in 2009/10, and his efforts for the team were recognised when he was awarded 'Player of the Year' at the end of the 2005/06 and 2008/09 seasons.
Will Russell, 39, be the last Weston player to join the elite 400 Club, as fewer games are now played in a season? Weston's top points scorer, James Mackay, is next on the list of leading appearances from the present squad on 213 games.
