Graeme Maisey has been playing rugby for more than 20 years and now he is stepping back from the board room to keep his boots on for a bit longer.

The 43-year-old is into his 12th year as a player at King Edwards recreation ground – since moving to the area from Kent club Old Williamsonian, where he started playing – and his third as chairman.

He has seen a clubhouse burnt to the ground and rebuilt, won promotion to the London Leagues and returned to Surrey Division One in his time at Hook Road.

Off the field he has found time to set up his own Tolworth-based design and engineering company – GM Design Development – and help find the £10,000 needed to upgrade the club’s training pitch.

Maisey, left, considered ending his playing career two seasons ago having helped Kingston avoid the drop to Surrey Two.

But rather than hang up his boots, the second row is continuing the fight on the pitch.

“I know I thought about retiring, but there just does not seem to be that many second rows around anymore,” he said.

“I can’t keep away.

“I’m stepping down as chairman for a year to concentrate on some grant applications for the club.

“It has been a struggle for the past couple of seasons, but we have always managed to stay in Surrey One or London Three.

“Things are going well at the moment and we are making progress, but we have to keep building and improving our facilities.”

Kingston’s recent growth has come thanks to a link up with Kingston University and Kingston College and the arrival of head coach Matt Hawkes and assistants Paul Adams and Kevin Walters.

“Everyone has talked about how successful the Rugby World Cup has been – and it was brilliant – but the game at our level has been let down a bit,” he added.

“We’ve had a few new players off the back of it, but I’m sure if England had done even a little bit better we’d have seen a lot more.”