Boschker reaches 500 mark with Twente

Sander Boschker celebrated his 500th Dutch league appearance for FC Twente last night as his side went second with a 4-1 win against NAC Breda, with the 38-year-old admitting: "Every goal I concede still hurts."

Record books
The long-serving goalkeeper is now one of the ten players with the most Dutch top-flight appearances, though he will have to play well into his forties if he is to match former Sparta Rotterdam and PSV Eindhoven custodian Pim Doesburg's record of 687 league games. However, he needs only 22 more outings to equal Willy van der Kuijlen's record of 522 league appearances for a single club, which the midfielder set for PSV between 1964 and 1982.

'Immeasurable value'
Barring a single season at AFC Ajax in 2003/04, in which he did not make a league appearance, Boschker has spent his entire career with Twente; something which impressed his coach Steve McClaren. "Five hundred games for one club is something that will not be repeated soon in the current climate, with so many short-term contracts and transfers," he said. "Even at 38, Sander is still worth 12 or 15 points for us. With his performances and his role as a team leader he is of immeasurable value."

No fuss
Despite being bedecked with flowers, presented with a framed picture and serenaded from the stands before the game, Boschker – who has also played 54 Dutch Cup games and 25 more in European club competition for 'De Tukkers' – seemed a little nonplussed by all the attention his record received. "It's very special to play 500 matches for one club, but other people are making more of a fuss about it than me," he said. "Maybe it will take some time for it to sink in."

Natural perfectionist
The goalkeeper was happy enough with the win on Wednesday, but his desire for clean sheets has not diminished since he started his incredible run with his first league appearance in a 2-2 draw at home against FC Haarlem on 29 November 1989. "It's a shame we conceded that one goal, although the victory was most important, especially as we played well," he said. "Every goal I concede still hurts."

'Two more years'
Boschker is now looking to earn a new contract, with his current deal expiring in the summer. "I can do nothing but hope, and see what will happen," he said. "Thirty-eight is pretty old in the football world, but I don't feel old. I've always taken good care of myself, I have not had many bad injuries and I still stand up pretty smoothly every morning. The way I feel now I could play for at least two more years." Twente play Olympique de Marseille in the UEFA Cup Round of 32 later this month.