Stalwart skipper is the club daddy!

Described as the 'daddy' in a club statement paying tribute to him and a number of other players who've reached significant milestones since the start of the new season, the 35-year-old central defender, pictured, arrived at Short Lane back in 2001 from Staines Town.

A plumber by day and winner of numerous 'player of the year' awards since, Canderton reached the milestone in the club's 3-1 home win over Marlow in the EVO-STIK League Southern's Central Division on Tuesday 9 August, their first home game of the season after winning promotion as Combined Counties League Premier Division champions.

The Tangerines say the imposing defender has been an integral part of their many successes and are backing the veteran to break their all-time appearances before finally hanging up his boots.

A spokesman said: "The club has good reason to feel proud of the loyalty shown by players in recent seasons. The 'daddy' is undoubtedly central defender Russell Canderton. He still needs another hundred plus to beat the all time record held by Paul Burgess but he will surely make it."

The Tangerines also hailed two other players who've recently reached significant milestones, not least striker Mark Bitmead who now has 200 plus competitive starts and 188 goals to his name. Apart from brief spells at North Greenford and Kingstonian, the forward has played for the club ever since his arrival from the ranks of Ashford's juniors.

Ahead of the club's trip to Egham Town on bank holiday Monday, the spokesman added: "His strike partner Dan Fleming has now reached his 100th competitive start whilst young goalkeeper Mark Tobin has now hit the 150 appearance target at the age of just 21. All in all the Tangerines currently have nine players on their books with 100 or more appearances."

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