A guard of honour for Frank Bova as he takes the field for his 60th season playing for Lilli Pilli Football Club. Picture Facebook

Frank Bova received a hero's reception when he ran out on a special day that was organised to celebrate his 60th season playing for Lilli Pilli Football Club.

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The popular clubman, who has "still got it" according to team mates, joined Lilli Pilli in 1967 when he was five.

He started playing the previous year with Caringbah Rangers, but the fledgling Lilli Pilli club, which used to buy their half-time oranges at his father's fruit shop in Port Hacking Road near the Caringbah Hotel, sought to poach the youngster.

Frank Bova..."a local legend" and "an icon in Lilli Pilli" runs out on his big day. Picture Facebook

Frank recalls his father agreeing, saying "if they're going to support me, I will support them."

So, Frank switched to Lilli Pilli, and what a champion he proved to be.

"I never progressed to rep level, I just turned up," Frank said modestly.

"It's more about the mateship, the friends you make and it being my social outlet.

"I have played in a lot of teams and they have always been good - never a bad year.

"I'm playing the lowest grade possible now, but with the best bunch of blokes."

Frank loves the once-a-week training, playing on Sunday, going to watch the teams he used to coach and seeing his son Sam play.

"You meet lots of people, make lots of friends," he said.

Frank went into panel beating 50 years ago and started his own business Parraweena Smash Repairs.

Frank's O/45Es team had a 3-1 victory on his big day. Picture Facebook.

"I think I'm just a person who is happy to go with the flow and enjoy it," he said. "We are so blessed, so lucky to live where we do and have what we have."

Frank's O/45Es team had "a magic morning at Lilli Pilli Oval" with a 3-1 victory on his big day, the club reported on Facebook.

"With commemorative beer coolers and a specially prepared coat, the day belongs to Frank who has of course played and coached and guided so many at our club over the past 60 years."

Members described Frank as "a local legend, "an icon in Lilli Pilli" and said his achievement was "a champion effort from a champion man".

Frank said his knees will determine how much longer he plays on.

"If I can go next year, I will, but it's getting close and that's the sad part," he said.

"When the knees pack it in, that will be it."