CWMBRAN Town's record appearance holder, Jimmy Blackie, has been forced to quit football due to a serious knee injury, writes Peter Shuttleworth.

The 39-year-old centre-back - who skippered the Crows to League of Wales success in its inaugural season of 1992-93 - has been out of action for more than 12 months.

Blackie, who also captained the Welsh international semi-professional side, has had two operations on his troublesome knee and he is now awaiting a third.

The Barry-based defender is one of a select band of footballers to play in all four European competitions - the European Cup, UEFA Cup, Cup Winners' Cup and Intertoto Cup.

Blackie told the Argus: "Hanging up my boots earlier than I'd like is frustrating but I have no other option.

"I had to retire at some time and my knee injury has made that decision for me. I am fit enough to cycle and row but I cannot weight-bear very well.

"I could actually play in a match but I wouldn't be able to train to get as match-fit as I would like."

According to the record books, Blackie's 378 appearances for Gwent's only League of Wales club makes him their record holder - with current goalkeeper Pat O'Hagan just 11 outings behind.

Blackie added: "The highlight of my career was either marking Swedish international Henrik Larsson when Cwmbran played against Celtic in the UEFA Cup in 1998 or lifting the LoW title in 1993.

"I had some great times at Cwmbran because they were a great bunch of lads." Blackie was Tony Willcox's first signing at Cwmbran Stadium in 1991 from Barry Town and apart for one season, 1995-96 when he left for Ton Pentre, he has been Town's greatest servant of recent times.

Willcox heaped praise on the 'true professional' and said: "He was my first signing at Cwmbran and I thought he'd be a good player - but I never would have predicted how good he could be.

"Jimmy was probably the best signing I have ever made. His levels of consistency and his attitude were exceptional - and even now he looks as fit as he did 20 years ago. "His commitment to Cwmbran was impeccable and one of the club's most loyal servants. I wish him all the best in his retirement."

Blackie said he would now spend more time with his two boys - 12-year-old Matthew and Nathan, nine - and take them to play football.