With Rob Purdie passing 400 appearances in a Hereford shirt, Club Historian Ron Parrott has collated a list of players with the most appearances for Hereford United/Hereford FC.
Below is his list with comments.
For many years it was believed that John Layton (Senior) held the
overall record but this total included friendlies & testimonials
etc. that are not classed as first-team fixtures. During the course of
writing the complete history of the Club, these stats have had to be
recalculated with the amazing result that Edgar Street legends John
Layton (Senior) and Mel Pejic both tie on 535 appearances but the former
comes out on top because his are all full appearances whilst Mel’s
include some substitute appearances.
The full top 10 ever is as follows:-
1. John Layton (Senior) - 535 appearances 1946/47 to 1948/49 & 1951/52 to 1963/64
2. Mel Pejic - 519 + 16 = 535 appearances 1980/81 to 1991/92
3. Charlie Thompson - 439 appearances 1945/46, 1947/48 to 1957/58
4. Reggie Bowen - 423 appearances 1948/49 to 1960/61
5. Stewart Phillips - 394 + 18 = 412 appearances 1977/78 to 1987/88 and 1990/91
6. Chris Price - 404 + 4 = 408 appearances 1976/77 to 1985/86
7. Rob Purdie - 328 + 73 = 401
appearances 2002/03 to 2005/06, 2010/11, 2013/14, and 2015/16
to 2016/17
8. Ernie Watson - 383 appearances 1925/26 to 1936/37
9. Alan Jones - 360 + 1 = 361 appearances 1967/68 to 1973/74
10. Jimmy Harvey - 355 + 4 = 359 appearances 1979/80 to 1986/87
All true “greats”, everyone of them! Only surprise is that there’s no keeper amongst them, the nearest being Kevin Rose in 14th place with 344 games under his belt. Rob Purdie could also go up a few more places before the end of the season too!