Ranked eighth in appearances in the past 52 seasons, few would recall Andy O'Brien’s service as being so long and distinguished

Andy O'Brien gave Hendon outstanding service in three spells, first as a youngster, then as a veteran coming back twice to help out his old club at a time of need. He joined Hendon as an 18-year-old and played in the reserves in the first part of the season before making his debut four days after the Greens had lost to Wycombe Wanderers in an FA Cup first round replay. Ken Payne's team was made up of vastly experienced players at various levels (Fred Smart, Gary Hand, Peter Deadman, Pat Morrisey, Bobby Gough, Paul Currie) and youngsters (Anthony Bennett, O'Brien, Dermot Drummy, Alan Cosby, Tom Murphy). Only mid-20s Kevin Folan didn't fit into either category. It was a losing start for Andy, a 1-0 reverse at Colston Avenue, but he got another chance when replacing the injured Bennett for a New Year's fixture against Harrow Borough, a 2-0 Greens victory.

When (high-priced) senior players were released in February 1982, a number of younger ones were given the chance to shine. None took the opportunity more successfully than Andy. He scored his first Hendon goal in just his fourth appearance, a Middlesex Senior Cup win at Southall. He became a cornerstone at the heart of an inexperienced Hendon defence managed by Dave Mawson, then Gary Hand in 1982-83, missing just four League games all season. Andy's performances earned him the first of three Supporters Association Player of the Year awards. This era was notable for Hendon changing managers on an almost annual basis and the 1983-84 man in charge was Roy Ruffell, who knew a good thing when he saw it - and that included Andy in the No.5 shirt. What was more remarkable was that Andy was studying at Nottingham University and he commuted from the north Midlands to play for the Greens.

This dedication no doubt played a part in Andy winning his second Supporters Association Player of the Year award in 1985, a season which saw the Greens struggle to avoid relegation under first Eddie Presland, then Gary Hand. Hendon won the Middlesex Charity Cup, beating Feltham in the final at Claremont Road and Andy collected his first cup-winners' medal. This time Gary was able to continue as manager in 1985-86, but it was not a happy time and relegation would have been a certainty, if he had stayed beyond December. Instead Ted Hardy engineered a miraculous recover, and Andy more than played his part, contributing goals in massive victories at Worthing (when John Still had a game on the coaching staff), Billericay and Slough. He collected a second - and last cup-winner's medal when Southall were beaten 2-0 in the Middlesex Senior Cup final.

In 1986–87, Andy's chances were limited and after 14 appearances, he left, joining Wembley early in 1987. It would be almost exactly three years before Andy returned to Claremont Road, and his second debut came in the FA Trophy, a 2-1 defeat at Wivenhoe Town. He slotted straight back into the Hendon defence, normally at centre-half, and started 83 of the next 86 games (for which he was eligible) in the following 16 months, including all 61 in the 1990-91 season. Off the field, things were going rapidly downhill for Hendon, but Andy had already left the club for a second time - and this time he would be away for four seasons.

By the time Andy returned in 1995, Mick Browne was starting his second season as manager, the second year of the club's ownership by Ivor Arbiter and the Arbiter Group. Andy was signed to help out with the reserves, but still be available for first team duty. As it turned out, once Neil Price had taken over in December 1995, Andy would be a regular and he played in 37 League and cup games during a campaign which once again saw a battle against relegation.

Andy was promoted to reserve team manager for the 1995-96 season, but when Price left Hendon in mid February, Andy was made first-team player manager. His debut in dugout was a 2-1 defeat of Kingstonian at Claremont Road - a Price-less victory according to the local press - but he would be in charge for only a couple more matches before Frank Murphy took over. Andy made a handful of appearances in the season, but that ended his first-team career.

Since retiring Andy moved back to the Midlands, though is frequently down in London on family matters - his brother used to be the postman at Claremont Road - and watches the occasional Hendon match, when he will reminisce with fans who fondly remember cheering on a dedicated and loyal Hendon man.

Joined Hendon: Summer 1981, January 1990, Summer 1995. Left Hendon: Winter 1987, Summer 1991, Summer 1997
Appearances: 370 (361 starts, 9 as substitute). Goals: 26
Supporters Association Player of the Year: 1983, 1985, 1991
Medals won: Middlesex Senior Cup: 1985–86; Middlesex Charity Cup: 1984–85