Peter Pan of footie!

The golden oldie Goodshaw United striker boasts a record that few other players could equal.

Having made his senior debut as a 15-year-old, Peter has been a one club man ever since -- notching around 500 goals in 700 appearances.

It is a record that is as impressive as it is inspirational.

For while Peter's goal scoring feats speak for itself, the fact that he is still competing is an inspiration to others.

"I remember when I was about 32 and I thought about calling it a day. There were players in the team who were older than me and that kept me going. They were an inspiration.

"I would like to think there are players in our team who look at me and that keeps them going."

While Peter admits he is no longer a first team regular, he is fiercely proud of his record of scoring a goal every season since 1969.

"It was a close call thing this season," recalls Peter. "There were about four games left and I still hadn't scored. But I came on as sub to score to keep my record going."

Now aged 48, Peter has no intention of hanging up his boots just yet.

"I'm quite fortunate in that I am naturally fit. Anyone at the club will tell you that I don't like to train and will find any excuse to miss it.

"But what really keeps me going is that I like to set myself goals."

Peter always used to set himself targets of 20-25 goals a season as a youngster -- a goal he usually achieved.

But just when the final whistle should have been blowing on his career as a 35-year-old, Peter decided to give it a few more years.

"I still felt fit so I decided to try and hold on until I was 38. Then when I lasted until then, I thought let's go until 40."

Peter's next goal kept him going for a further six years -- playing in the same side as his son Matthew.

"When I thought that might be a possibility, that is what I wanted to hang on for. Playing in the same team as Matthew was a great moment for me."

It was real Roy of the Rovers stuff as Peter and Matthew both came on as substitutes in the same game -- and both scored.

"I passed the ball to Matthew for his goal. The lads said afterwards that it was the only time they had seen me pass inside the penalty area!"

Born and bred in Rawtenstall, Peter went to Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School. He played for the Rossendale town teams before joining Longholme Juniors. It was his next door neighbour Neil Storey, the then manager of Goodshaw United who persuaded him to play with the 'big boys'.

The young Barnes went on to impress with Goodshaw United who were playing in the Burnley and District League at the time.

It was such an impression that some thought he might be able to make it at a higher level -- but Peter was having none of it.

"I did wonder if I could make it at a Non League club but I was never disciplined enough to put in the training required or committed. I was happy playing at the level I was."

While Peter has continued to score goals for fun, trophies have only begun to go his way in later life.

A cup final victory against Worsthorne at Turf Moor in 1976 -- he didn't score -- was all he had to show until Goodshaw's last season in the Burnley League five years ago when they clinched the double.

Goodshaw went on to win the Division Two title in their first season in the East Lancashire League and have just completed a hat-trick of Division One titles.

"I was 43 when we went in to the East Lancs League and I did think about packing it in then. I thought the standard might be just to good but I'm still playing now."

Peter reckons the current crop of Goodshaw players are the best he has played with.

"We've got a good young side with an average age of 24 -- or 34 when I'm in the team."

Peter now has two goals to keep him going -- to score a goal when he is 50 and not be involved in the Goodshaw Sprint Challenge for the club's slowest players.

"I've lost a bit of pace but not that much so I think my aim to score at 50 is still a goal I can achieve."

Thisislancashire's special Pride of East Lancashire section...