AN ERA is about to come to an end as one of East Lothian's foremost sporting stars - iconic rugby player Allan Jacobsen - is set to hang up his cleats.

Jacobsen, affectionately known as 'Chunk', will bring an end to his 16-year professional playing career, all of which was spent at Edinburgh Rugby, after the club's final match of the season next Friday (May 3) at home to Newport Gwent Dragons.

The 34-year-old, who grew up in Longniddry and learned his trade at Preston Lodge, where he went to school, has been a one-club man and is Edinburgh's all-time record appearance holder. He will make his 285th and final appearance at Murrayfield next week.

Jacobsen only recently put an end to his international career in November, retiring as Scotland's most capped prop with 65 appearances.

Announcing his retirement, Jacobsen said: "It's sad when you think about it, but I've got so many great memories from playing for Edinburgh and Scotland. I've done most of the things I wanted to do on the rugby field and I feel very lucky.

"I don't feel like I have to chase anything any more, or prove anything. It's been a massive part of my life since I played for Edinburgh under-16s, and that was 20 years ago. You have to stop playing sometime and, for me, that time is now.

"It's time for me to move on with the rest of my life, return to my trade and probably start my own business." Jacobsen's debut for Edinburgh came in 1997 in a match against touring Australian side ACT Brumbies, when he appeared from the bench. Between then and signing his first professional contract under then-head coach Ian Rankin in 1999, at the age of 19, Jacobsen had worked as an apprentice plumber.

Retirement will also allow him to spend more time with his wife Gayle and daughter Maisie. He paid tribute to both for the role played in his career, as well as his parents, East Lothian Council leader Willie Innes and Eamon John, who was development officer at PL when Jacobsen was growing up.

He said: "I played at Preston Lodge from when I was six and as I grew up people were telling me I should move to another club to progress to the professional ranks, but I wanted to stay, and I think I showed you can make the step up from your own club.

"I thought the same of Edinburgh. If they hadn't signed me and given me that chance, I wouldn't be where I am today.

"I've always been looked after, and I got to where I wanted to be because of Edinburgh, so I never felt that I needed to go anywhere else. I always wanted to do my best for Edinburgh and the fans who've supported me for so long.

"It's hard to describe the feeling you get from fans. They come and watch no matter what and, when things aren't going well, they're still out there paying their money to support you.

"I've always got a buzz out of the songs they've sang over the years. Their support has meant so much to me." Tributes have already poured in for Jacobsen, who scored 15 tries for the club and is a popular and well-liked figure in the game.

Johnston Craig, vice-president of Preston Lodge, told Courier Sport: "He's such a fantastic rugby player. It's great for a club like us to have had a player like him.

"As I always say, if you had to pick one player for your team you'd pick Allan Jacobsen. You want him on your side, that's for sure.

"He's been a great player for PL and Edinburgh. He's a really good guy who has never forgotten his roots. Edinburgh fans had a song: 'He's the prop from Prestonpans.' We quite like that." Interim Edinburgh head coach Stevie Scott said: "To stay at the top of the game for 16 years is an incredible achievement. He's been a tremendous servant to the club, to Scotland, and to Scottish rugby as a whole." Edinburgh Rugby captain Greig Laidlaw added: "There's no one quite like Chunk. He's one in a million.

"One thing you'll never be able to take away from Chunk is his commitment to the jersey and his work rate on the field.

"You have to see to believe some of the things he does on the rugby pitch and it's been an honour to play alongside such a great player and character."