Andy Jackson is still recognised as one of the best players in Mid Sussex

The Turners Hill sweeper.

He has played in every position for the club and has this season been selected to play for the Mid Sussex League side at the age of 37.

An unusual and impressive achievement for anyone of his advancing years.

But then again Andy is a player who has thrown up a few oddities during his career.

For Andy struck 35 goals for Turners Hill back in 1995-96, but had to settle as only the team's third top scorer.

He was part of the awesome striking trio that also included Mid Sussex League legend Dane Billings and John Higgins.

Billings that season struck an amazing 96 goals, while Higgins managed 40.

And that is not all. After dropping out of County League football, where he played for East Grinstead Town as a promising youngster, Andy joined Turners Hill and has been there ever since.

He even turned down approaches from Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill in his first season out of the County League game.

Andy said: "I have enjoyed every minute of my time at Turners Hill and never for a moment considered moving to another club."

His manager Joe Loftus, who joined Turners Hill before Andy, said: "He just liked the whole set-up of the club and the lads. He put enjoyment of the game before the chance of playing at a higher standard.

"This guy really is a rare gem."

Andrew started playing for East Grinstead Town and progressed through their youth and reserves set-up.

He joined Turners Hill after impressing at training when coming with some friends he worked with at a local roofing firm.

Joe, a player himself then, said: "We wondered who he was because he looked a more than useful player. He was snapped up quickly and played in the centre of the park."

Andy takes up the story: "We have had some successful seasons together. The mid-1980s were our heyday.

"The team started in Division Five and worked their way up to Division One. We ended up going down to Division Five again, but we now look set for promotion to Division One again."

Andy has won the Somerville Cup, Stubbins Cup, various five-a-side competitions, the Mid Sussex Junior Cup and endless other tournaments during his career.

He is a popular player in the dressing room. And despite being no Statto, he keeps records of all his games.

It takes a good player or former good player to know another, so it is small wonder that his Mid Sussex League rep team manager is no other than Dane Billings.

Andrew said: "Dane took over the team. I hadn't been in the squad for a few seasons and got a call this year.

"It's great to be playing for Dane. He was a superb person to play with."

During that goal crazy 1995-96 season, not only did Billings smash a Mid Sussex League record, the club hit 135 goals in the league -clinching the Liverpool Arms Cup.

Joe added: "Andy will end up playing for years more. That's for sure!"