Torquay midfielder Kevin Hill wrote his name into the club's history books at the FA Trophy final as he broke the club's all-time appearance record.
But he said he would have traded his record of 474 games for the club for a win over Ebbsfleet at Wembley.
"It's nice to break the record, but I'd have preferred the win no matter what," he told BBC Radio Devon.
Hill came on as a substitute late in the game to break Dennis Lewis's record set in the 1950s.
Hill has seen many highs and lows at the club and stayed with the side during the turbulent times at the end of last season when Torquay were not only relegated from the Football League, but looked to be going out of business.
"He's a true pro. I have nothing but admiration for Kevin Hill""From where we've come from, from last year it has been phenomenal really," he said.
"What they've done behind the scenes and everything, it's been good.
"All the years I've been here have been great, except the last six months of last season," Hill said on BBC Radio Devon.
"The fans have been brilliant, they've been brilliant all year. All the years I've been here they've been fantastic."
Torquay manager Paul Buckle praised Hill after the match.
"I'm absolutely delighted for him. Not only has he been a wonderful servant to this football club, but he's a true pro. I have nothing but admiration for Kevin Hill."
Hill joined Torquay United from non-league Torrington Town in 1997 and has been with the club ever since.
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