Glasgow Clan’s Matt Haywood says the club has given him a life as he prepares to make his 500th EIHL appearance for the club.
The 28-year-old Englishman is expected to reach the landmark tonight (Thursday) when coach Pete Russell takes his team to bottom of the table Milton Keynes Lightning.
And he admits it’s been made extra special because he’ll be the first player at the Clan to reach it since they began in 2010.
“It feels great to get there and it’s a huge honour to say you’ve been at a club and played for that number of games,” he said.
“It feels extra special because I’m the first one to do it, having been here from the very start and everything I’ve gone through.
A young Haywood makes his home debut for the Clan in 2010. Now he’s making his 500th appearance (PHOTO: Al Goold)
“But it’s more than a club to me. I came as a 19-year-old trying to prove myself to becoming a married man with a young daughter.
“It’s not just a job for me. It’s given me a life, a new place I call home and I can’t thank anyone enough for what this club has done for me.”
Haywood hasn’t ruled going even higher in the appearance stats and doesn’t see any reason why he couldn’t make it to four figures looking ahead.
He added: “I’m seeing guys like Mark Richardson and Matthew Myers at Cardiff Devils get to 800 and 900 respectively, plus Jonathan Phillips at Sheffield will get to 1,000 next season.
“Personally I see no reason why I can’t get to those sorts of milestones looking ahead. All I can do is try and stay healthy and look after myself.”
