It was the end of an era at Falmouth Town on Saturday, as long-serving midfielder Ross Pope played his final match at Bickland Park before retiring at the end of the season, writes Matt Friday.

The 37 year-old has now played 387 times for the club over two spells since making his debut back in 2001, which puts him in sixth position on the club’s all-time appearance list.

He said: “I love playing football, but my body’s disagreeing with that so I’ve got to listen to that a little bit. I’ll miss it massively, but I’ll still come down to watch I’m sure.”

He also cited his desire to spend more time with his family, who were in attendance for his landmark game, as his reason for retirement.

Falmouth manager Andrew Westgarth said: “You don’t play for Falmouth Town this long if you’re not any good, and if you think of the amount of managers that have come and gone over the years, and he’s still always been one of the first names in the hat.

“No one wants him to go really. I can understand his reasons for stepping down, but he’ll be a massive loss for Falmouth Town.”

When asked what the club meant to him, Pope said: “Oh loads, I’ve always enjoyed my time here, that’s why I’ve never really looked to leave and it just feels like home really, so I’ll miss it massively.

“There’s a load of good people behind the scenes down here as well and they always make you feel welcome, it’s just an all-round good club.”

Pope also spent short spells at Penzance and Truro City, and featured in the latter’s FA Vase triumph at Wembley Stadium in 2007, a day which he is unlikely to forget.

“[Wembley was] an amazing experience and something I’m very proud of, and something I’ll look back on in years to come and be very very proud.”

“Obviously Wembley was pretty special, but probably the main thing is the friends you make through football. What’s probably more important to me than the trophies are the friends for life, you know, you can’t beat that.”

Pope is expected to be part of the squad for the club’s final two games of the season at Newquay and Saltash before hanging up his boots for the final time.