SEVENTEEN years after making his footballing debut for his home town club Consett, Jeff Sugden last month notched up a milestone of 500 games.

What's even more remarkable is that since Jeff started playing aged 17, he has suffered some horrendous footballing injuries which would have put the more faint-hearted out of the game for good.

In three consecutive seasons he suffered a collapsed lung, had 13 stitches in his knee and dislocated his collarbone.

The judges awarded him the Over-16 Special Achievement award, saying that not only was he a great centre-half, he was also a great leader and ambassador.

Consett secretary Ian Hamilton said: "He has been Club Player of the Year and Player's Player on several occasions and in season 1999-2000 was voted the Northern League Player of the Year, a tremendous accolade.

"I don't know what we'll do when he decides to retire."