LEGENDARY Falmouth Town striker Mark Rapsey could grace Bickland Park again after signing for their Combination League side this week.

“Rappo”, a crowd favourite wherever he has played, scored 144 goals in four seasons for Town in the early 1990s, before returning for a third spell to win his fifth South-Western League medal under Dave Ball’s tutelage in 2000.

Falmouth Reserves manager Danny Everard said: “I’m delighted he has signed for us. He will give us 20 minutes here and there when we are short on numbers, like we were on Saturday.”

Everard took a hugely depleted team to Culdrose. It was a side that included a remarkable three father-and-son combinations, with Danny himself making a second half appearance at the age of 58, alongside his son Max.

Linesman John Donald, aged 48, was also called into action, despite having rarely played the game.

“I signed him on before the start but when one of our lads suffered a thigh injury after 15 minutes, we put John at right wing for the rest of the game. His son Rob also played and his mum came to watch for the first time ever, so it was a real family affair,” Danny added.

The other father-son connection was assistant manager Adie Hart and his son William.

“Along with Rappo I’ve also signed St Ives veteran Lee Norman. We have a very young squad and it’s great to have these older guys around the dressing room to bring a few smiles and lift the spirits,” said Danny.

“I don’t want to be in the same position again this season as we were on Saturday, so if there are any other lads who fancy giving us a hand from time to time, just give me a call on 07854 331064.”

“It was very much a one-off situation but we need to address it to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Anyone involved with Cornish football will be hoping that 49-year-old “Rappo” can have a fairytale ending to his career, as he seeks one more score to complete an incredible 2,000 goals.

He told Packet Sport: “When Danny mentioned it, it triggered a thought in my head that I could get the goal at Bickland Park. Falmouth’s the club I’ve always loved, so that’d be amazing.”

No-one would bet against the affable striker achieving that milestone in an amber and black shirt in the coming weeks.

l Falmouth Town’s first team travel to Cullompton in the SWPL Premier on Saturday.