STUART COBURN FACTFILE

Born: Manchester, 1975 (Age 41)

1994-97: A goalkeeper, Coburn started out at Irlam Town and also had a spell at Maine Road before joining Trafford in 1995. After a series of impressive performances – and the North West Counties Division One title in 1997 – Coburn became John King’s final signing for Altrincham the following season.

1999-03: Initially back-up to first Matt Dickins and then Andy Dibble, Coburn was forced to bide his time at Moss Lane. By the mid-point of the 1998-99 season, he was first choice, helping Alty seal the Uni-Bond Premier League title. Injured for much of their solitary Conference season, Coburn again impressed back in Step 2, and in 2002 left to join Conference side Leigh RMI. However, after playing 52 games in 18 months for the Railwaymen – and winning the club’s player of the year award – he rejoined Alty in October 2003.

2003-2011: Having recovered from hernia surgery to reclaim the No.1 shirt, Coburn’s impact was immediate as he helped Alty win the inaugural Conference North play-off final in 2005. He then helped Graham Heathcote’s part-time Robins remain in the top flight for six straight seasons before suffering relegation in 2011.

2011-2016: Coburn remained first choice under Lee Sinnott in Conference North, and in 2014 was part of the side that finished third before beating Guiseley 2-1 in the play-off final to reach the Conference Premier. In March 2015, Coburn played his 678th game for the Robins, beating the previous club record set by John Davison in 1987. He would eventually reach 689 matches before a snapped achilles forced him to retire, aged 40, in August 2015.