EVERGREEN non-league legend Taffy Richardson is aiming to extend his magnificent career by a further seven years - because he doesn't want to break a promise.

Richardson, who led Wimborne Town to FA Vase glory in 1992, is still running the midfield for Poole Town at the age of 41.

And when lesser beings might be contemplating a rest, Richardson is not even entertaining the thought of hanging up his boots.

In fact, he needs to play until he is 48 in order to keep a pledge he made to his young son George.

"I'm not planning on packing in for ages," the Poole Town player told the Daily Echo.

"People said when I got the injury that it would finish me.

"But I promised my lad I would play a game with him. He's only nine so I've got to keep going another seven years!

"I heard the same stories when I was 35 and I'm no different on fitness levels than I was then.

"I'm a fireman and I love to keep fit.

"I've never had pace, so I can get through games without running quicker than anyone else.

"I've played over 1,000 games and hopefully I can have a few more."

Richardson returned to the Poole Town side on Saturday after undergoing a double hernia and a double groin operation.

He came off the bench towards the end of the 7-0 hammering of Hayling and is in line to face Moneyfields at Tatnam tomorrow (3pm).

He said: "It's nice to be back. I'm 42 this year and still as fit as most of the lads.

"I pointed out to Tom Killick that we've only lost one league game that I have started. He dismissed that quite quickly!

"Sometimes football irritates you a bit when you're playing all the time and you wonder if it's worth it. But when you're not playing it kills you and you're desperate to get back."

Killick, who has a virtually full-strength squad to select from this weekend, found praise for the influential Richardson.

"We've been very lucky to have his services and nothing would please me more than for him to be around for many more years to come," said the Poole boss.

Dolphins are five points adrift of Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division leaders AFC Totton, with a game in hand.

Poole Town: (from) Harvell, Whitley, I Richardson, Roberts, Hogan, S Richardson, Saadi, Cann, Brown, A Culliford, Skelton, Gill, T Smith, S Smith, Ayres, Ayley.