Somewhere on Bradley Quinton, there must be a label that reads ‘Property of Braintree Town FC’.

If there isn’t – there should be.

If there is – then it’s not a warning to other clubs to keep their hands off, but rather a mark of respect.

And respect is all you can have for this most loyal of club servants.

There are people behind the scenes at the Amlin Stadium who have devoted so much time to lift the Iron on to the national stage of Conference football, but surely no-one has done more on the pitch.

Saturday’s Blue Square Bet Premier game against Forest Green Rovers marked yet another milestone in a formidable Braintree Town career.

While the 5-1 defeat may be best consigned to the dim recesses of the memory banks, Iron fans should cherish it for at least one thing.

It was Quinton’s 500th appearance for the club.

In an ever-changing world where football is perhaps more transient than most, pulling the same club’s shirt on half a thousand times is no small reason for celebration.

But the person who cherishes it perhaps more than anyone is the 33-year-old himself, because there’s no other club closer to Brad Quinton’s heart than Braintree Town.

“It’s a great club,” he said.

“I’m really pleased to have achieved so much at this club and I’ve enjoyed every moment of it."

For the full version of this story, see this week's Braintree and Witham Times