On behalf of the club I am saddened to announce the enforced retirement from playing of a true Club Legend in Richard Lines.

 

Richard joined the Ruts ranks way back in 2005 when he promptly secured a 1^st XI shirt for the long haul, racking up 282 appearances and scoring 73 club goals along the way, with his incredible strength, determination and commitment to the cause he duly earnt himself the nickname of ‘The Beast’ (way before the far weaker Adebayo Akinfenwa could even think about such an honour!).

 

Richard also won the prestigious 1^st XI Players Player of the Year Award on two occasions, in 2005/06 and again in 2010/11 which also secured him a couple of ‘cheeky’ entries on the Honours Board.

 

Linesy’s no nonsense approach to playing Football was an excellent asset to the Ruts which saw him regularly torment and scare the living daylights out of many a defender (in his striking days) and many a striker (in his defending days). However, in recent seasons injuries, work and family commitments duly arrived at the fore, which ultimately led to him plying his trade for the more tranquil Old Ruts Vets team on a Sunday morning.

 

Regretfully and with the above glossy summary out of the way, the reason for Richard’s football retirement is not through choice, but through illness, as he has recently been diagnosed with a benign tumour in the head, which requires imminent surgery. The prognosis is believed to be positive, although not without risk and everyone involved with the Ruts wishes Richard a full and prompt recovery and we all hope to see him back pitch-side soon.

 

Our thoughts are also with Richard’s wife Dani and indeed the whole of the Lines family at this very worrying time.

 

 

** UPDATE from Mike Lines on the 6th September as follows ** ** Brilliant News **

 

 

Gents,

He’s out of surgery now and the operation was a success. The whole tumour has been removed.

Hopefully he’ll be back home by the weekend. I’ll try and get up and see him tomorrow. He’s very groggy but on the mend.

Thought you might like to know.

Thanks

Mike