AFC Emley captain Paul Sykes wants to celebrate his 900th career game with three points and a pint of strongbow after the game
Three points and a pint of strongbow is the only present AFC Emley captain Paul Sykes wants when he celebrates playing in his 900th career game tomorrow.
Sykes, 37, is set to reach the landmark in Toolstation NCEL Division One table-toppers Emley’s trip to Yorkshire Amateur.
The centre-back got the idea of counting his games when Mark ‘Willy’ Wilson celebrated the same milestone in May 2013.
Sykes, who said he would have a pint of strongbow to celebrate the landmark after the game, told Non League Yorkshire: “I’ve known for 18 months (that my 900th game was coming up).
“When Mark Wilson had his 900th game at Emley, I started looking back and checking through my archive.
“I’ve done 22 years and during the middle of last season I worked out that I had 113 to go until I got to 1000.
“I’ve spent a bit of time looking back. I’ve looked through programmes and googled fixtures.
“It was difficult for a couple of seasons as for example the 1999/2000 I was dual-registered for a couple of teams.
“I’ve not even thought about celebrating it (the milestone).
“It’s just another game and it’s about getting the three points.”
Sykes is one of West Yorkshire’s best known Non League players.
His career began at Sheffield Wednesday and in a reserve team game in 1994, he played against Manchester United and the likes of David Beckham and Paul Scholes.
He moved into Non League and played for Glasshoughton Welfare, Bradford (Park Avenue), Ossett Town, Worksop Town, Harrogate Town before his finest period at Stalybridge Celtic in the mid-2000s.
Sykes is officially ranked as one of their greatest players because he is one of eight men in their Hall of Fame.
In recent years, he has had a spells with FC Halifax Town and Worksop Parramore and returns to Ossett and Glasshoughton.
His arrival at Emley two years ago has given him a “new lease of life” on the field.
He did hang his boots up after a game at Appleby Frodingham last year when Darren Hepworth sacked before changing his mind when Emley’s manager was reinstated.
Sykes, who would like to reach 1000 games, is currently skippering a team flying high in the league.
He would consider retiring if they win the Division and he added: “From being a bit selfish, to lift the trophy as captain, there is no better way to go out.
“If we don’t win it, deep down 1000 games would be nice because not many players do it.
“That’s unless my body turns round and says ‘no’.”