FORMER club captain Roy Godfrey was set to make his 100th appearance for Jersey Reds on Saturday, on the eve of his retirement from professional rugby.
Named in Harvey Biljon’s starting XV for the second leg of their Championship Cup first-round clash with London Scottish, the South African prop will become the sixth player to reach the landmark in the Reds’ Championship era, having proved to be a reliable outlet since his arrival in 2017.
However, the 32-year-old, who played professionally for French Top14 outfit Perpignan in 2014/15, has revealed that he will not be looking to add to his tally of caps in 2022/23.
‘I have been living the rugby dream, playing full-time,’ said Godfrey. ‘My body is telling me I could carry on but it’s one of those decisions … I’m 32, I’ve got two boys now and I want to look at what’s next.
‘I thought I’d come here for two seasons and see how it goes, because I wanted to be a pro again [following a stint with National Two side Wimbledon], but here I am, five years later. It has been a good journey and I’ve enjoyed every moment.
‘We’ll be in Jersey for the next few years and see how it goes. I had a job offered to me a year ago but I said no because I wanted to play for another year. This year, it was offered to me again.’
Having given himself an end date, Godfrey is now eager to right a wrong when it comes to the Reds’ cup record.
Jersey were on course to reach the two-legged quarter-finals of the second tier’s latest knockout tournament, where they would battle to progress into a one-off semi-final and final.
‘Hopefully we still have five games left this season and I can make it 104 appearances and finish in style,’ he said. ‘We’ve had a few close ones over the years. We lost to Leinster A when we were 19 points up with five minutes to play [2017/18 British & Irish Cup semi-final] and the boys lost in the final the year before [29-28 to Munster A, having led 18-0]. Hopefully this year we can do a job in the cup.’
There is also potential for Godfrey to appear in a more historic trophy clash in years to come, if Jersey’s Siam Cup coach, Myles Landick, has his way.
‘He’s already chatting me up,’ Godfrey laughed. ‘I’d be happy to play cricket and every other sport for now.
‘I’m sure I’ll play in the Siam at some point but we’ll have to wait and see. Jerry Sexton and “Penbo” [Aaron Penberthy] are playing in it this year and I’ll be another lad to finish up and stay in the Island, which is good.
‘Jersey will always be a special place to us. Both of my children were born here and we’ve had some wonderful years here. Long may that continue.’
