Oxford United's captain, Les Robinson, is on the verge of one of football's great milestones.

The 32-year-old right back stands just three games away from his 500th league appearance and, barring anything unforseen, will hit that magical mark in the Division 1 game against Norwich City at the Manor Ground on April 24.

Robbo has already become the fifth longest-serving player in Oxford United's history in terms of appearances with Monday's 2-2 draw at Tranmere taking him to 393 games for the club.

That mark is bettered only by John Shuker (534), Gary Briggs (508), Colin Clarke (497) and Ron Atkinson (435). Behind Robinson come Graham Atkinson (360), Billy Jeffrey (356), Malcolm Shotton (338) and David Fogg (336).

But the 500 Football League games benchmark is a more impressive milestone, and is one that neither the Atkinsons nor Shotton, for example, achieved in their careers. Robbo's 500 will come after 15 years in the game.

His first 15 League appearances came at his first club Mansfield Town, then 67 for Stockport County and 82 for Doncaster, from where Oxford United signed him for £150,000 in March 1990. The rest have been while wearing a United shirt.

United seem certain to honour his achievement.

Chris Hull, spokesman for the Football League, said: "Reaching 500 Football League games is a fantastic achievement.

"We only make presentations when it is an exceptional mark, such as Tony Ford's 825 at Mansfield. This would be one for the club to recognise."

Said Robbo: "My aim as an apprentice was to play League football. Then I could say I've done it and nobody could take that away from me.

"Then the 100 league games came up, then the 200 and the 300. I remember reaching the 300 but the 400 passed by without me noticing. But 500 is a great milestone."

Story date: Friday 09 April

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