I just wanted to send a mail to say that it was brought to my attention recently that I was listed in Derek and Bert’s best XI teams on the Hay St Mary’s website. Despite the fact that University, work and eventually a family took me away from the area, Hay have always been [and will always be] the football club at my heart. It was particularly touching that Derek and Bert singled me out for the left-back slot. Derek, along with Johnny Evans, were my mentors as a youngster – moving me from the junior sides into the senior sides when I was ready and ensuring that I was guided and looked after appropriately. At the time, the team players such as Berty, Derek, Melvin Ward, Anno Finn, Freddy Prendergast, Billy Finn, Lykee, Sean Hackett and youngsters such as Bobby Keeble and Colan Badham, all looked after me and allowed me the opportunity and support to develop as a player, whilst Berty went the extra mile to look after me both on the pitch and off it, letting me sleep on his floor and looking after me at the Wheatsheaf, Clyro and beyond! I have fond memories of many successes with Hay and the players of that period [around 1987-1993], and it was their foundations that led me on to play at higher levels including semi-pro up north for Emley in the Unibond league. However, my heart will always lie with Hay St Mary’s, so please pass on my thanks and best wishes to all the boys who continue to keep the club successful and were around ‘in my day’ – and most notably to Bert and Derek.
All the best,
Ben