Braintree Town will honour one of their greatest ever servants tonight as the Iron continue their pre-season campaign with a game against Ipswich Town.

The game against the Blues at the Amlin Stadium, which kicks-off at 7.30pm, will be a testimonial for Bradley Quniton, who announced his retirement from football in the Gazette last week.

With almost 570 games under his belt, the 35-year-old is the club’s record appearance holder and has seen their progression from the foot of step four of the non-league pyramid to the verge of a place in the Football League.

However, a knee injury has caught up with him and he has decided to call time on his playing career, so Iron chairman Lee Harding is hoping that the club’s fans come out in force to support a man who has literally put his body on the line for the Iron’s cause over a decade and a half.

Harding said: “Look at what Brad has done for this club and he is synonymous with the success that the club has had over the course of the last ten to 15 years.

“He has been an integral part of the club’s progression from the bottom of the Ryman League to within touching distance of the Football League.

“Having played 550-odd games and scored plenty of goals, he has represented everything about the club.

“It’s just a shame that he has now got himself to a position where he has quite a bad injury that is stopping him continuing further.

“He picked up the knee injury against Tranmere in the FA Cup (two years ago) and because he was so keen to try to help the club in that particular game, he played through it when perhaps he really shouldn’t have done and did himself quite some serious damage.

“What more can you ask from a player that actually goes through the pain barrier to try to get you through the FA Cup.

“That’s typical of the individual and we’ll do everything we can at this testimonial to support Brad and get him a nice time out of it.

“Hopefully everyone will get to the club to appreciate everything that Brad has done for us.

“He has been a great ambassador for the club.”

Although his knee problem will limit his involvement, Quinton said he expected to play some part in tonight’s game against Ipswich, but it will also allow Braintree manager Alan Devonshire to have a further look at trial players as he builds his squad for next season.

Kick-off for the game is 7.30pm.

Admission is pay at the turnstiles on the day, and prices are £10 for adults, £7 for OAPs and those still in full-time education, £5 for under-16s and £3 for under-11s.