THE term ‘legend’ is probably used too often in a sporting context these days, but in the county town, there is one man who definitely deserves that title – despite taking it “with a pinch of salt”.

On the verge of his 700th appearance in the black and white of Dorchester Town, a feat which could come along this week should he select himself, player-manager Mark Jermyn has had a career to savour at the Avenue, since making his debut for the club in a 1-0 defeat to Worcester City on October 8, 2000.

There are a number of examples that can put the longevity of his career with the Magpies into context.

When Jermyn put on a Dorchester shirt for the first time, current Yeovil loanee Ollie Bassett, who he plays alongside and manages at present, was just two years old.

Mariah Carey and Westlife were top of the UK singles chart with ‘Against All Odds’ and England played their final game at the old Wembley Stadium – a 1-0 defeat against Germany – a day before he embarked on his incredible career at the Dorset club.

A remarkable 16 years – with a short spell as a player at Poole Town – has gone by since then, but Jermyn remains humble, despite his legendary status with Dorchester.

Currently on 699, the Avenue stalwart spoke to Echosport ahead of making the landmark appearance, which could come against St Ives Town at the Avenue tomorrow (7.45pm).

Asked what it was like to be referred to as a club legend, Jermyn simply replied: “When people do say ‘legend’ you just take it with a pinch of salt.

“I am a player that has been very fortunate to play at a good football club for a long period of time, that’s how I see it.

“I must have been doing something right because the club kept me for all those years! Some managers, when they came in, thought they wanted something else. Hopefully, I changed their minds.”

He added: “From a personal point of view, it will be a great achievement for myself to reach 700 and I am very privileged that I have played for the club for such a long period.

“I think somebody else is going to do very well with the way that the game is played now, to surpass me. If someone does, I’d like to shake their hand because it’s a long time to be at a football club.”

Jermyn’s success at the Avenue includes being part of the Magpies’ side which sealed the 2002/2003 Southern League Eastern title under boss Mark Morris, as well as becoming founder members of the Conference South a year later.

The Avenue star was also in

the starting XI for their most

recent famous exploit, a 1-0 FA Cup first round victory over Plymouth Argyle in November 2012, under former manager Phil Simkin.

Asked for his fondest memories throughout his lengthy stay in the county town, Jermyn replied: “The cup games have been brilliant, when we won the league they were great times.

“The players that I have played with, and managers that I have been under, as well as the derby games.

“Within football you have to take the rough with the smooth and you have to roll with it.

You enjoy the highs and move on from the lows.

“I have played under managers that have really dug into me and hammered me to get the best out of me. I have had others that have just spoken to me simply and other managers that, quite frankly, didn’t want me.

“Mick Jenkins was one of them. I got player of the season that year and didn’t play the first nine games.

“But, by the end of the season I had a great relationship with Mick and I still do to this day.

“Every manager I have played under, I have taken something from.”

Knowing the club inside out across his record number of games is something the Avenue chief also believes is important when it comes to his current role of player-manager, a position he took on in January 2015 having returned from his brief spell with Poole.

“When I got into 10 or 12 years at the club I thought that management would be something I would want to go into,” he added.

“I didn’t necessarily want it as quickly as it did happen because there is a lot of work that goes into the management side of the game.

“But there was never any way in my mind that I was going to turn down the opportunity.

“The football club has been brilliant for me, they have supported me for a very long time and, hopefully, for that time I have given them my best.

“I wouldn’t say I took it for granted how much the managers do, but it’s being at the beckoned call all the time 24/7.”

He continued: “One of the hardest things that any player-manager has to deal with is when you personally make a mistake or cost a goal.

“You have to then motivate the players to go out and give more than what they have got.

“The players know that and have been very supportive to me, not just the ones this season but in seasons previously.

“I try and get across to the players now that, as long as they work hard, I will have no arguments.

“Through my own learning steps you realise that you need to be supportive to the players that need support.

“The ones that need a rocket you give a rocket and there are some players that will question and want to understand things, so you can have one-to-one conversations with them.”

Quizzed on whether he is set to make his landmark appearance in Tuesday’s home game, ever the competitor, Jermyn has no time for sentiment in the present and will do what he believes is best for the team.

“It is going to be nice to reach the 700 but if it’s not Tuesday and it is the week after, then great,” he said.

“As long as there is no illness or injury, the starting line-up is likely to be as it is.

“I just want the boys to focus on themselves.”