In an age of freedom of contract and so-called 'player power', how refreshing it is to meet three footballers who between them, have played over 1,500 games for their club.

Granted, neither Tony Gilliam, Dave Horseman nor Mark Trott have ever been offered a lucrative deal to join a rival team but it is a remarkable achievement nonetheless.

The trio have been regulars in the Brighton Boys Brigade Old Boys side since the team was formed in 1959 and 53-year-old stalwart Dave Horseman, who has played 662 games for the team, says he would never dream of playing elsewhere.

Dave said: "I really enjoy playing for the team or else I wouldn't have kept turning out all these years. During my time it is fair to say I have played in every position including goalkeeper. But my real position is in defence."

Horseman was quick to point out what he believes to be the secret of the players' loyalty to the club.

He added: "I think it is the Boys Brigade spirit. It is one of the few clubs in the league where players are affiliated to the club itself. Ninety per cent of our players are former members of the Boys Brigade and a real bond exists."

The Boys Brigade is a Christian church youth organisation for 16-18 year old boys that organises all sorts of activities for lads like camping.

Horseman added: "The Boys Brigade fosters a unique spirit and comradeship. We have our own club disciplinary panel and I won't say we don't swear, but if one of our players swears persistently they will be substituted.

"We don't intentionally foster a squeaky clean image but we always try to play fair. We have a good disciplinary record and pride ourselves on sportsmanship."

The club's longest-serving player is Mark Trott who has played 707 games for the Brighton League Division One outfit. Trott, 46, is the head teacher at Ocklynge Junior School in Eastbourne.

"My most memorable moment playing for the Brighton BBOB was when I broke my leg at East Brighton Park," he said.

"I didn't realise what I had done and went back on to try and run it off. I had to come straight off again."

Trott explained why he had played for the team for so long. He said: "I simply enjoy playing football with people who are of a similar level and are nice guys. We all have a connection with the club which helps."

Horseman and Trott are the two most senior players but brothers Steve and Micky Maskell have also played in excess of 400 games each for the side.

Gilliam, 39, has played 383 times. He started playing for the side in 1987 and has not only played in every position for the team but he has also managed the side.

He said: "We are not all old boys in the team, we have some younger players coming through. Young Tom Bunting won both of our awards last season for his excellent performances. It is important to get the youth players coming through.

"Of course they do take the micky out of me a bit. One of them asked me how long have I been playing the other week. When I told him, he said: 'You must enjoy it'.

"I look forward to Saturdays. Quite a few of the players bring their families along and we often go for a drink in the Park View pub afterwards.

"We are different in a way from other teams, sometimes they come in little groups and disappear afterwards but we stay together."

Aside from the players, various people at the club have been involved in the administration for many years. George Childs was one of the founder members of the club 42 years ago and he is now honourary president.