Matt ‘Ox’ Richards plays 500th game for Diss Rugby Club and looks to hold on for game with son Roan Richards

Having remarkably completed his 500th game for Diss Rugby Club’s men’s first team, Matt ‘Ox’ Richards is hopeful he may be able to carry on long enough to pass his Blues shirt over to his son.

Far from character who seeks the limelight, the 39-year-old pop known as ‘Ox’ had the spotlight shone firmly on him as Diss ended a forgettable campaign –set to see relegation from Counties 1 Eastern Counties rubber-stamped as the second bottom team – at home to Ely on Saturday.

The Diss-based player was quizzed on his time at the club, having made his first-team debut back in an away defeat at Letchworth in the season opener in 2003/04 at the pre-match luncheon before leading the side out through a 500 balloon arch to a junior guard of honour.

But after helping Diss to a 24-18 win as one of only two ever-presents this season in Alex Kelsall’s side, along with second row player Joe Gant, he confirmed it was far from his farewell appearance.

“I don't really think when it's going to end. I just keep playing as much as I can, really as I keep hearing in the clubhouse that you’re a long time retired,” said the player who has been picked to represent Eastern Counties once again this season.

“So while my body still lets me, I'll still try and put the boots on at the weekend.”

The player who had captained Diss for three seasons – during their National League 3 days – and won promotion five times, has also been prominent in bringing up the next generation of Blues players.

He has coached his son Roan’s age group from under-6s to their current under-14s, dedicating both Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings to their development. And he hopes he can hang on long enough himself to first play with his son, also a prop, ahead of then handing him his shirt.

“The idea would be to have one game with my son in the first team, which is three years away,” he said, “That's my next goal to work to, which would be somewhere around 600 (games).

“I would love to line up with him and then I could be handing my shirt to him.”

Richards has incredibly only been kept out of the side by injury once, a calf strain that conveniently only saw him miss two games due to falling amid a slip weekend.

But the electrician does not put his body’s longevity in a bruising position down to anything but a supportive wife and a desire to represent his beloved Blues.

Like many, his current coach, Alex Kelsall, had a spell playing with him in the first team and was more than happy to pay tribute to his astonishing 500 not out feat.

He said: “It's probably one of the rarest rugby accolades that you could probably get.

“It's extraordinary that his longevity has been 22 seasons now and he's still wanting to continue to play on next season.

“You might expect that of a winger or a full-back who doesn't see as much contact as one of the front row forwards.

“It's an exceptional achievement and Diss and all the players that he's played with for 22 seasons are incredibly proud of him.

“He's an absolute Diss blue blood. He lives and breathes the club so we're very, very privileged to have him on board.”