After 44 uninterrupted years, the final whistle blew last night on a footballing tradition that has brought together generations of local men.

Founded in Chelsea in 1982 by a group of young men and relocating to Sheen in 1999, Tuesday Night Football (TNF) has met every week at 9pm, come rain or shine.

But time catches up with us all. With several players now in their seventies and nobody under 60, the club has increasingly struggled for numbers as age has taken its toll. With new recruits proving hard to find, the group has reluctantly decided that the time has come to call it a day.

TNF was always about more than football. Everyone was welcome, regardless of ability. All that mattered was a willingness to get out, kick a ball about and enjoy the camaraderie of a regular weekly get-together.

At the helm since the very beginning, organiser Nigel Scott has meticulously kept records of every game. He estimates that more than 400 local players have turned out for TNF over the years, with many clocking up more than 500 appearances.

After the final whistle, the players would head to The Plough for post-match drinks. The pub always made them welcome, despite their regular arrival at around 10pm, often soaking wet and in decidedly unsuitable attire.

For the men who have pulled on their boots and turned out for TNF over the decades, Tuesday nights will never quite be the same. The football may be over, but the friendships, memories and sense of community built over 45 years will surely endure.

How about walking football?