Will Major is a one-club man. The Winchcombe Town Football Club stalwart made his debut almost 14 years ago at the age of 16 and is as enthusiastic about the game today as he was back then.

“I played my first game for the first team on 18th October 2003,” he remembers without having to stop to think. “It was a Cheltenham League Senior Charities Cup tie against Newton Heath – they were a good side back in the day – and it was a bit of a baptism of fire.

“I was a holding midfielder back then. The game was played at Whaddon rec and we lost 3-0.”

Major had just left Winchcombe School for Bournside Sixth Form when he made his debut and like so many teenagers he was unaware of the exam he was about to face.

“It all happened quite quickly,” he said. “I’d had a couple of games for the reserves and then I got called up to play in the first team.

“I didn’t really realise what was going on. I just played my natural game. I’m quite loud on the pitch and I think some of the more senior players were a bit taken aback but I still play like that today.”

These days he is predominantly a right-back for Winchcombe’s first team in Northern Senior League Division Two although he is happy to play in the centre of defence.

A broken leg sustained at Soudley in 2010 forced him onto the sidelines for a lengthy spell but once he was fit and firing he was restored to the club’s flagship side.

“I’ve played pretty much everywhere for the club,” he said with some pride. “I’ve even had a couple of stints in goal and I play in goal for our Sunday team in the Evesham League.

“I used to love playing just in front of the back four but I haven’t got the legs to play that role anymore.

“I love it at right-back getting up and down the pitch but I’m one of those players who is just happy to play anywhere.”

Major, a teacher at Gretton Primary School, learned his football just a big wind-assisted goal kick from Winchcombe at Bishop’s Cleeve Youth.

“We didn’t have a youth section at Winchcombe in those days,” he said.

It’s very different now, of course, with the club having a thriving junior set-up. Major has played his part and is full of praise for those bringing through the town’s next generation of footballers. “There’s some really dedicated people taking the youth section in a good direction,” he said.

Major has enjoyed success on the pitch with the club as well, helping them out of the Cheltenham League and into the Northern Senior League Division Two in 2008 and the club also enjoyed promotion to the top flight in the Senior League where they stayed for a couple of years before dropping back down.

This season, as they look to improve on their bottom half finish last time out, they will hear a familiar voice barking out the instructions from the sidelines.

That’s because Phil Comfort has returned to the club as manager – a move that has gone down well with Major.

“He was manager when I made my debut all those years ago,” Major said. “He’s been involved with the club for 40 years and I’m pleased to have him back. He’s always been around the club even though he’s not been the manager in recent years.”

Major is hopeful that under the experienced Comfort, Winchcombe will be a force this season.

“We’ve got a lot of good young players and we’re happy with where we are,” he said. “But I’m not going to say we’ll do this or we’ll do that this season because that sets you up for a fall. What I will say is that I feel like we have something to offer.”

As one of the older heads in the squad, Major has taken on a more prominent role in pre-season training. Remembering his time as a sweet 16-year-old breaking through all those years ago, he has taken particular interest in the 16, 17 and 18-year-olds breaking through.

He clearly has management potential, so is it something he’d like to do in the future?

“It’s something that has been mentioned in passing,” he said. “It’s something for the future but I’ve got a few years left playing yet and I don’t think player/managers work.

“But when I finish playing I want to stay involved so it’s something that I’d love to do.”

If he does take on the extra responsibility in years to come he’s sure to have plenty of support. That’s because his mum Sandra is club secretary and his dad Andrew is “a very loyal supporter of the club”.

His 27-year-old brother Edd, a striker, used to play for the club as well before moving on to Bishops Cleeve, Slimbridge and now Brimscombe and Thrupp.

“He’s got a lot of talent and is very committed,” said Will, who lives in Winchcombe and has plenty of talent himself.

He was captain of Winchcombe Cricket Club for four years before relinquishing the role at the end of last season.

He describes himself as “a specialist fielder” and is equally disparaging about his golf. “I’m not very good,” he insisted although he still enjoys a round at Tewkesbury Park and Cleeve Hill.

He also played in the mixed team at Winchcombe Hockey Club, plays darts for the Corner Cupboard in the Winchcombe League and he even enjoys the occasional game of rounders.

In fact, when you consider the sports he plays or has played, Will Major is clearly one of Winchcombe’s top all-rounders.