Over 15 years and a record 546 league appearances, Stuart Taylor patrolled the Bristol Rovers backline with steel in his commanding 6ft 5ins frame and silk in the technical skills he brought to the art of defending.
Taylor has passed away, aged 72, after suffering from dementia but the impact he made on the field for the Gas and the legacy he leaves will be eternal.
The Bristolian broke into the Rovers team as a teenager in the mid 1960s alongside fellow defender Larry Lloyd and became a mainstay of so many different sides in the blue and white quarters, a key part of the Third Division promotion-winning side of 1973/74.
Former midfielder Tom Stanton, who arrived at the club in 1968, and was a teammate of Taylor's for eight years remembers a footballer whose considerable physical gifts often meant his ability went overlooked.
"The size was intimidating - you'd look at that and think, 'wow, pretty daunting' but he was an accomplished and skilful player," Stanton told Bristol Live.
"He was exceptionally good at reading the game. He always seemed under control, getting things done. You knew you could rely on him. Things would go past us in midfield and 9/10 the big fella was there.
"His ability to play football against whoever it was, whether it was a small darty striker or a big gruff, animal-like centre-forward, Stuart would be able to deal with it in his own way.
"There were times when you'd think, 'what are you actually doing?' But he was the guy who was tidying things up.
"His ability was very much underestimated. Because of his size people expected him to be like a big heavy defender but that wasn't Stuart - his silky skills were there to be seen."
Taylor's personality also didn't quite conform to the cliches of the traditional full-blooded defenders of the 1960s and 1970s.
Instead he was almost a player before his time, a prototype of the modern-style centre-backs whose gifts were in technique and an understanding of the game that always meant he was one step ahead rival forwards.
There was calmness in the way he went about his business, never shouting or digging out teammates but just leading by examples with quiet authority.
"He was a quiet lad, never shouting down your ear or telling you to do this or do that. He was always fairly calm and very effective. He did his job tremendously well," Stanton added, comparing him to Liverpool great Alan Hansen.
"He was much the same in the dressing room as he was on the pitch. He wasn't one of those to have a go at other players or wind people up. He was calm, didn't say too much.
"I used to get quite cross with him because I'd be going up for corners and the big fella would trot up there but he wouldn't go through people. I used to say to him, 'you're 6ft 6 for god's sake, hit someone! And he'd say, 'Tom, I'm okay'.
"A classy player and a classy guy. He wasn't vociferous, one of these shouting, 'let's get at them, let's go'. It was calmness and authority. When he did speak, you listened."
Taylor also had a profound effect on those who weren't necessarily always in the first team as his presence and personality made him a popular member of the squad for young players, and a benchmark for which to follow.
One such apprentice who came through the system during Taylor's pomp and became a teammate towards the end of his marathon stint with the Gas was Tony Pulis.
"I have so many fond memories of the senior players at Bristol Rovers," Pulis told Bristol Live.
"Being one of many young apprentices from South Wales, these players made us feel so much part of a very strong family. Stu was one of the many who played a pivotal role in this process.
"Rovers through and through, I will always respect Tex for not only being a top performer for the club he loved, but also a top professional for all us young lads."
Taylor never played as a substitute in 15 years for the Gas and as well as the overall record for most games, he also holds the mark for most consecutive appearances for an outfield player (207 between September 1968 and January 1973) and was ever-present in league and cup across four seasons.
"He was dedicated. One of those who was always in training and very rarely did he have an injury. In fact, I'm not sure he ever had an injury ... and if he did he would shake them off in his own quiet way," Stanton said.
Bristol Rovers tweeted they were "saddened" to learn of his death and extended their "condolences to Stuart's friends and family" and fans also paid tribute to one of the Gas' greatest.
CW Gas wrote: "Legend is much overused word but ST is one. Never forget the time as a child he kindly took me around to get players autographs as I was too shy to do so. That meant a lot. RIP Stuart."
Eddie added: "An absolute legend for the club. Towering, dominant and the heart of the wonderful defence which made us virtually unbeatable in 73/74."
Alveston Gas tweeted: "They just don’t make players like Stuart anymore. A true true Rovers man. Very very sad day."
In 2015, Taylor was awarded the Harry Bamford Trophy, in recognition of his sportsmanship and fair play.
Former Rovers defender and BBC Radio Bristol presenter Geoff Twentyman tweeted: "Such sad news. Big Stuart Taylor has passed away. He was 72 and made 627 appearances for Bristol Rovers. No one has or ever will make more league appearances - 546. #ripbigman."
Rovers will pay their respects to Taylor at a forthcoming home game, details of which will be revealed closer to the match.
