It is often the unsung heroes that keep a football club going and nobody embodies that notion quite like Glenn Clifford. 

Clifford's service to the Geelong Football Club was recognised on Monday, when he was awarded VFL Life Membership at the VFL's Awards night. 

For over four decades now Clifford has worked for the Cats, starting as a timekeeper with the senior and reserves teams back in 1979. 

Clifford continued in that role until 1999 before becoming the Cats' VFL timekeeper in 2000, a position he still serves in to the present day. 

Speaking at the VFL Awards night, Clifford spoke about the Geelong Football Club and (jokingly) took credit for his role in developing some Cats champions. 

"I was lucky enough to get my life membership with the Cats with Tom Lonergan, so that was a real honour," Clifford said

"But seeing Joel Selwood and Paul Chapman coming through the VFL, I taught them everything they knew so that is why they are so good.

"Seeing the young players come through, the Club is so inclusive and they really are a family Club. They look after everyone very well."

Clifford, who works full-time with Bendigo Bank, the major sponsor of the VFL Cats, was also awarded Life Membership with the Geelong Football Club back in 2016. 

It was estimated back in that season that Clifford had kept time at approximately 1000 VFL/AFL games, with that number only continuing to grow in the following eight seasons.