DIDCOT Town skipper Jamie Heapy is about to add to his already legendary status by playing his 800th game for the club.

In reaching this extraordinary milestone, the 34-year-old will have played in almost every outfield position, scoring 32 goals in the process, in a career spanning three decades following his first-team debut in 1996.

As club captain, Heapy led Didcot to unprecedented success and silverware, having lifted the FA Vase in 2005, the Hellenic Premier Division title in 2006, three Hellenic Challenge Cups and two Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy victories.

He also skippered the side to promotion into the Southern League Premier Division via the play-offs in 2009 – the highest level in the club’s 106-year history.

Apart from a short spell at Oxford City in 2011, Heapy has spent his entire career (including at youth level) with the Railwaymen, who now play in Division 1 South & West of the Evo-Stik Southern League.

“I just love everything about this super club,” said Heapy, who started as a nine-year-old with Didcot Boys.

“One of the managers of the junior teams was Peter Cox, who is still with the club, which owes him and many others a tremendous debt.

“I was only once tempted away. A couple of years ago, I wanted to prove myself at a higher level and tried my luck at Oxford City. But I found I was not a regular in the side and returned to Didcot after a few months.

“In addition to the FA Vase win over Sudbury at White Hart Lane, which was an obvious highlight, I’ve been privileged to play with some fine players – such as Stuart Beavon, Jack King, Paul Powell and my special mate Ian Concannon.”

Concannon, now Didcot coach, was full of praise for his old captain.

“I’ve known Jamie for over 25 years,” he said. “As young lads we played against each other at school and together for Didcot Boys.

“He became skipper at a relatively young age, but he was perfect for it. He leads by example – dedicated, committed, brave, a proper clubman and, most important, respected by teammates.

“I’m very proud and honoured to have known and played with him.”

Didcot manager Gary Elkins added: “Very rarely do you come across someone with Jamie’s outstanding attributes – not only as a player but also a person.

“He leads faultlessly on and off the field and is a legend in the true sense of the word.”

So there will be special welcome for him when, barring any last-minute illness and injury, he takes the field for the 800th time in a Didcot shirt at Mangotsfield United next Monday.