A FOOTBALL League veteran has been helping Knutsford FC out during their hectic finish to the season.

And on Saturday, he netted a hat-trick to take him past a career milestone.

Knutsford-born Aaron Wilbraham, whose playing career saw him make more than 600 professional appearances for the likes of Crystal Palace, Bristol City and Milton Keynes Dons among others, has come out of retirement to play for his hometown club in recent weeks.

He has not played professionally since leaving Rochdale in 2020 and was assistant manager at Shrewsbury Town until last year, but it’s clear he still has his shooting boots.

The 44-year-old came off the bench at half time with Reds 2-0 up against Cheadle Heath Nomads Reserves on Saturday, with Jimmy Woodward having struck twice in the first half.

And after Steve Jenyons had rocketed home a shot to make it 3-0, Wilbraham struck as he tapped home a Max Kennedy cross.

Then came the milestone moment for Wilbraham as he headed home a Harrison Woolley cross to reach 150 career goals – and number 151 was not too far away as he headed home a corner in the game’s dying minutes to complete his treble.

There was still time for another Knutsford goal too, with Brandon Blades tapping home Charlie Rodick’s cut-back to make the final score 7-0.

That allowed Knutsford to bounce back from a 2-1 midweek home defeat to Malpas, although the club have raised a formal complaint with the Cheshire Football League regarding the game, alleging they included several ineligible players from higher up the football pyramid in their side.

They were 2-1 down in the game before Woodward pulled a goal back with a strike from outside the box, but they could not find a leveller.