After joining the club in 1973, he spent more than 30 years involved as player and coach, scoring more than 40 tries including his four-timers against Phoenix in 1982 and Manchester YMCA seven years later.

But he said the most famous memory of his storied career did not actually involve crossing the whitewash.

He explained: “I can’t actually remember too much of Phoenix, but I do remember the Manchester touring side coming down. But to be honest, I played so many games a lot of them blur together.

“One of my favourite memories was a drop goal against Aylesbury which helped us stay up in the 1988/89 season. I couldn’t kick and whenever it looked like I might someone would shout ‘don’t kick.’

“On this occasion the scrum-half Ali Verdin threw the ball loose and it came to me in the middle of their half.

“For whatever reason I just kicked it and it went well and straight through – I remember that more than many tries.”

Looking back, Joe revealed the 88/89 season also brought one of his most disappointing memories, a Berkshire Cup final defeat to Maidenhead (28-6).

He confessed “I’d been playing centre with Geoff White for most of the season, but on this occasion I was on the wing and we conceded two tries in the first two minutes so everything went flat. It was disappointing to lose like that, where it seemed over so early on.”

On a happier note, Joe said he was privileged to play with some ‘great’ players, but there was one important criteria in his judgment of a teammate.

He continued: “There were so many great players I played with and I would say my favourite were basically anyone who didn’t kick the ball and kept it in hand!

“Tony Saunders would be right up there. He was a quality player and one of those who just got on with it and did his best. He was a lovely guy as well.

“Chris Champion always looked after me and Ken Hinds, who I joined the club with, it was always brilliant to play with him.

“It was obviously also really cool to play with my brothers – Micky, Tim and Thadias – and also with my son JJ. He was a really good player!”

It was in the mid-80s when Joe enjoyed his highest point.

He said: “The thing I am most proud of was being awarded my honours cap and being made a Vice President and life member – that was very special and I was truly honoured.

“I was proud of my longevity in that I started relatively young in a group, but when I finished playing I was the oldest and I played in most positions in the backs.

“The club has provided me with much positivity and great memories and friendships. It has provided me with support on the field, in my home and business lives and throughout.”

With the club now plying its trade in National One, Joe is amazed by the progression and explained he received a wake-up call a few years ago.

He concluded: “It’s fantastic to see where the club has got to, especially knowing where it has come from. At one stage teams were sending their second or third teams to play our first XV.

“On the playing side, I realised what a step up it’s been in a funny moment. I actually thought one of the wings was not playing well and that I could have done better (if I was younger).

“But then an older supporter came over and said to me: ‘Stop criticising – I had to watch you for years!’ That made me realise.”

Rest of the calendar

1 - Jez Flynn
2 - Andy Lynch
3 - Josh Collis