“It is going to be emotional for me, but I just hope I can hold it together and don’t cry in front of people," said Bob Flaskett.

Flaskett is talking about looking after the pitch one final time for Weston AFC ahead of his retirement as head groundsman when the Seagulls welcome Weymouth to The Optima Stadium in the National League South on Boxing Day.

Flaskett, who only turned 79 recently, said Ill health and age contributed to his he decision to retire from the role, after joined the Seagulls in 2003 from Weston St John’s, where he added that coming to the Seagulls “was like going to Man United” after being encouraged by chairman Paul Bliss to come to B24.

After two decades in the role his work had seen him receive well-deserved recognition.

He finished third at the FA National Groundsman of the Year in the 2005-2006 season for teams at Step 1-2 before and in 2018, he was recognised by the Somerset Football Association, where he claimed a Services to Football Award.

In November Flaskett announced his decision when he told managing director Oli Bliss his plans to stand down at the end of the year.

Read more: Weston AFC's Flaskett on football being the 'love of his life'

“He put his arm running me and made some nice comments and he understood fully,” Flaskett said.

“I think he was glad in a way, but they have been really fair with me. The club have been very fair, Oli has always been fair with me.

“I've never had any trouble with my chairman, he never criticised my work. I've never had a bad word with him. I've done the job, and they knew in their hearts very well I was doing the job. Paul Bliss knew that.

“So, our understanding together has been really good. It's been a really good friendship.”

Flaskett said the messages he received were “tear-jerking” following the announcement of his retirement and said the one he got from Paul Bliss was an emotional one, after Weston's chairman hailed his great service.

Several posts were posted on social media praising and hailing his role from players, staff members and supporters.

Read more: Weston AFC groundsman Flaskett on preparing Optima Stadium pitch

“Some of them I couldn’t read all the way through,” Flaskett added.

“The chairman’s one, that was quite, quite emotional, that one, I thought was very nice. But all the nice comments from everybody it’s just been overwhelming, really, to get so many comments on the social media via the club has been fantastic.”

Flaskett now hands over the torch to Sam Trego, who will take on the reigns in 2024 after spending the last few months alongside him and will combine his duties at Weston with Weston CC.

Despite his departure Flaskett said he will still be involved with Weston, where he will take up an advisory position going forward.

"I'm still going to be involved here,” he continued.

“I'll be overseeing things. I just won't be doing the main work shall we say. Sam Trego’s goes coming in, he will be taking over for me.

“He's familiar with grass because he looks after Western Cricket Club, and he does a good job there.

“I know it's a different ball game. This is a little bit different than cricket.

“I'm sure he'll do a good job. He's a lot younger as well. But I should just try and relax as much as I can, but I've still got to keep active as well.

“It won't be any good sitting at home and sat in the chair, watching the television that’s not going to be for me.

“I'll have to get out and about. But I'm looking forward to certain things.”