A GROUP of tradesmen have nailed a six-a-side football league's longevity record by playing 40 consecutive seasons together.

North York Cosmos has entered Football Mundial’s Monday night league at Thirsk School and Sixth Form College every season since 1998 - the season Frank Lampard first played for West Ham - with a nucleus of five players turning out for about 500 matches.

League organisers said the team was its most long-standing and after checking their records were astonished to discover the dedicated players had only missed four games in 16 years, playing up to three seasons annually.

Peter Swaine, 52, Rodney Roper, 48, Ross Knapman, 51, Matt Barnfather, 41 and Tom McDonough, 45, who live in the Thirsk and Northallerton area, said the highlight of the team's time together had been battling through to a cup final, which they eventually lost in a penalty shoot-out.

The team's player-manager, Mr Roper, said: “It has been a long time since we were pushing for honours, but in the spirit of the game we make sure we have a full team of six every week, come rain or shine.”

Goalkeeper Mr Swaine, who is regarded as the team's star player due to the amount of shots he faces, said: “When the lads were younger and fitter I didn’t really have much to do, but now they are older, greyer and after a few knee replacements, they just can’t get around the park anymore. "Consequently, I am busier than ever.”

In recent years the team has been forced to recruit younger players to help out, but the founding members remain determined to continue playing together.

Mr Roper, said: “This league has suited us for many years.

"It is well organised with FA Refs, and it is not too serious.

"Whilst we are still mobile we will try to continue to play for the foreseeable future.

"We may even get close to 1,000 games together.”

Gez Rocks, Football Mundial co-ordinator at Thirsk, added: “We provide a safe, fun environment for teams and players, and the North York Cosmos are true legends of this league and also real gentlemen."

For details about playing, visit footballmundial.com, email info@footballmundial.com or call 01937-841440.