G.O.A.T. - Gateshead

John W. 'Jack' Callender was born on the 2nd of April 1923 in Wylam, Northumberland and together with his brother Tom Sanderson Callender they made 910 league and 75 Cup appearances for Gateshead which is a record for two brothers at the same club. The original Gateshead club was formed in 1899 as South Shields Adelaide and became members of the Football League in 1919. In 1930 financial problems saw the club moved to Gateshead, where they adopted the name of their new town. Jack began his career with Gateshead in 1938 as a wing half and they are his only Football League club. He established the club record for most appearances for Gateshead whilst in the Football League making 471 league appearances, scoring 42 goals and played 40 FA Cup games with 7 goals

Tom Callender

As a centre half Tom began his career with local non-league side Crawbrook Albion before WW11 before moving to Third Division side Lincoln City. After the war, Tom moved to Gateshead where he made his name. Although playing in the lower divisions he was considered worthy of a place in the England team by contemporaries. Such was the esteem in which his play was held that Gateshead turned down a £15,000 offer from Newcastle United for his services. There is also stories that the Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Major Frank Buckley made an undisclosed offer for the outstanding centre back. 

It is difficult however to establish exactly all Jack's appearances and it is more likely to be closer to 600 when taking into account his war time appearances for Gateshead between 1942-1945.
Jack Callender died on 22 May 2001, aged 78.