Every sports club needs a stalwart to hold it together but few people have served two clubs as loyally as John Oliver.

The 64-year-old from Haydon Wick has played more than 1,000 matches for Swindon Hockey Club and close to 1,000 for United Churches Cricket Club.

He is the leading run-scorer in the history of Churches with almost 10,000 to his name.

Mr Oliver, a postman with eight months left until he retires, joined the cricket club in 1963, when it was known as Methodist Central Hall.

He said: "I was never one to keep records. But it would be nice to say I was the first United Churches player to reach 10,000 runs. Likewise with 1,000 appearances.

"Other people compile these figures. I just like playing."

His run haul would be even greater if he had not batted down the order for his first 15 years.

He started out as a bowler, and United Churches operate a policy where bowlers bat at the bottom of the order, to make sure everyone is involved.

After a shoulder injury curtailed his career as a bowler, he converted to opening the batting and has done so ever since.

Mr Oliver does not keep playing simply to rack up his number of appearances.

He said: "I want to keep playing as long as I can and as long as I can put in a useful amount.

"I don't want to keep going just for the sake of it. I have got to be worth my place. I opened the batting last year."

Mr Oliver, who was born in Haydon Wick, is a hardy cricketer. Until four years ago, he used to take guard without any gloves.

He said: "I had a serious face injury, and I had to wear a helmet. I looked a bit funny with helmet and no gloves."

He has been with the hockey club even longer.

"I started playing there 40 years ago," he said. "And I have played every season since."

Mr Oliver has his wife, Eileen, to thank for much of his success.

He said: "She loves to sit and watch the cricket with her knitting. Without her support, I would never have done this."