When Henfield were left without a linesman for their home game against Lodsworth Reserves, Dunkirk veteran Ralph Simmonds stepped in.

And the 80-year-old's performance in the West Sussex Division Five Central match drew praise from all quarters.

Henfield ran out 8-2 victors largely thanks to hat-tricks from Paul Moorshead and Anthony Woolf, but Ralph produced the most memorable display.

Despite suffering a stroke 15 years ago, the football-mad pensioner picked up the flag and ran up and down the line in his tweed trousers for 90 minutes.

Evergreen Ralph said: "If my wife Pat had seen me she would have said: 'you silly old fool.' But it went very well. When you get to 80 you can't play so this is the next best thing."

Henfield were left in the lurch when they were unable to field any substitutes who normally run the line.

"I thought the club would be fined for not having a linesman," said Ralph. "The team captain of the visitors came and thanked me for doing it afterwards. I won't be doing it again on Saturday. Having had one stroke, I don't want to spoil the game."

Ralph is a familar face to those connected with Henfield as he helps prepare the club's pitch at the Sports Centre in Northcroft every Saturday before matches.

The club recognised his services two years ago when Ralph won the club's Richard Knight Marathon Trophy for endeavour behind the scenes.

"I get pleasure from going up to the field and helping get the pitch ready for matches," he said. "I wanted to take a penalty on my 80th birthday but my birthday is in June and there were no matches going on. I also wanted to run the line one more time and I have done that now. I wouldn't do the first team though.

"I think when players retire and stop playing they should help the club but they all go off and watch the Albion. There is always a lot of work to be done, putting the nets up and collecting money."

Arsenal fan Ralph used to play outside right for Woodmancote and he has been watching Henfield since he was 17-years-old.

Ralph, a veteran of the Eighth Army at Dunkirk, is quite a remarkable man.

He added: "I leave home every day at 5.45am to get the paper for myself and my neighbour and I get back and have a cup of tea in front of the seven o'clock news."

Henfield secretary Eric Holder is appreciative of all of Ralph's efforts.

Holder said: "He flagged for offside and he was absolutely right. But he was only in the right position because he hadn't caught up with play from an earlier move.

"Nobody complained about him as far as I know. All the players and the referee were very grateful.

"He is a real character. At all our matches he comes to watch and introduces himself to everyone and gives them the club history.

"He always comes to our home matches to help put up the corner flags and rope off the pitches. I wish there were more people like him willing to help out. He is a real asset."

Henfield III manager John Moorshead said: "We did not play well at all and only good defending from Richard Searles, Simon Andrews and Joel Green kept Lodsworth from scoring more.

"I would like to thank Ralph, who at 80 years of age, looked a lot fitter than some of my players. He always comes to watch, and volunteered to run the line."