THE Duke of York can’t attend this weekend’s 50th anniversary celebration at Clifton Park but Allan Robertshaw wouldn’t miss it for the world!

Prince Andrew has politely declined an invitation to attend the party and sent a letter from Buckingham Palace wishing everyone the best.

‘Big Al’, however, was always going to be the first name on the list. He is, quite simply, the heartbeat of York RUFC, as much a part of the fixtures and fittings as the club crest and a true Clifton Park legend.

At 73, the former player and manager could be forgiven for taking it easy now after devoting nearly six decades of his life to the club he loves. But Robertshaw still gives his services free of charge and fills a variety of roles including fixtures secretary, ground manager, and equipment officer.

His home in Rawcliffe is only a short walk away. Open his back door and you can’t quite see the field where he spent countless hours in the mud – but you can still hear the shouts from the scrum.

On Saturday, he will be joined by other former players and guests as York play host to local rivals Selby in a Yorkshire One fixture and celebrate 50 years since their first game at Clifton Park with a Family Fun Day.

The club moved from its previous home at Hob Moor in September 1966 and this became a catalyst for the creation of the York Sports Club.

Clifton Park is now the home to four of York’s premier sports clubs and stages cricket, rugby union, tennis, and squash. In addition, it boasts conference and banqueting facilities that generate an income all year round.

“This place means a great deal to me personally,” he said. “It’s even been suggested that I should have my bones buried there when I go – but I don’t think so! Why would I want herds of blokes running over me every week?”

Originally from Huddersfield, Robertshaw moved to York with his parents at the age of eight and began playing for the rugby club aged 16. A lock forward, he still holds the world record for the number of first team appearances (1,075) and clocked up around 1,400 appearances in the green and white hoops before hanging up his boots in 2002 aged 60.

“Rugby is in my blood. That’s why I am still involved today,” he said. “Mind you, I do keep asking them to get someone else in to help me do the fixtures.”

Ask him if there is anything he would like to change about Clifton Park and he gives a telling reply.

“Unfortunately, we still get problems with hooligans. They cause damage nearly every night,” he sighs. “At one time, we had a nice stand with tip-up seats but they were forever being damaged.

“Rather than paying £50 for replacements, we decided to take them all out which was a real shame.

“This a very good facility for the people of York and something that the city should be proud of. We want to put the seating back in – that’s the next project – but you just hope the vandals will leave it alone rather than putting holes in the walls or spraying graffiti.

“If you have seating in the stands, you have more chance of attracting big fixtures to Clifton Park like Yorkshire Cup finals,” he added.

The anniversary celebrations begin at 1pm on Saturday. A special lunch is available to book and admission to the Selby game is free. There is a hog roast and live music in a marquee on the patio from 6pm till late.