Sporty Freddie Packham could be the youngest ever club rugby player, making his Hove debut aged three years and 75 days.

And he was awarded a certificate as Player of the Day in a draw for Hove under-sevens against University Vandals, at Weybridge, in Surrey.

Sports researcher Chris Marais, from the Guinness Book of Records, said: "We haven't got a record of the youngest ever club player, and there would be safety issues to look at if we did create such a category, but I've never heard of anyone so young playing club rugby. "

The 68-year-old Hove club has never known someone as young representing them.

Dick Tidmarsh, chairman of the minis and youth, said: "It's certainly the youngest to my knowledge. There is no minimum age as long as the individual has the ability to play without upsetting those more advanced.

"If he is physically and mentally capable and wants to play then it is allowable.

"Safety is paramount but the sport at under-sevens there is hardly any contact."

Freddie's mother and father, Steve and Lindsey, have no qualms about their young son taking part.

Steve, who played County League football for Seaford and Whitehawk, said: "Freddie loved playing. He has been sports mad since he could walk and a natural at most of them.

"I suppose he gets a little through the genes because Lindsey was a good gymnast. He enjoys the rough and tumble and gets bored if he has nothing to do.

"You ought to see our back garden - it is full of balls from all sorts of sports, football, rugby, cricket, golf, tennis, you name it.

"There is a risk at him being so young playing rugby but there is not much contact in the sort of rugby.

"He got into the sport through watching our nine-year-old Harvey, who plays rugby for Brighton and his school.

"His cousin William plays for Hove under-sevens so his uncle Bill, took Freddie along with William to have a look and he ended up playing.

"He certainly enjoyed himself. He's showing off his certificate to everyone who comes through the door."