Nickname – Boo, or Boo Boo

Ruts Appearances – 413

Ruts Goals – 11

Question 1 – When did you join the Old Ruts and why?

I joined the Old Ruts in 1983 when I left school but I had been playing Cricket for the club since 1980.

I missed the 1st season of football at the club, due to me working on the turnstile at Plough Lane, it was Wimbledon’s last year at Plough Lane before the moved to Crystal Palace. Gavin, Craig, Billy and Graham all persuaded me to join the football section instead of going to Selhurst.

Question 2 – What was your most memorable match and why?

A fairly recent one in 2015 – I formed a team full of 16 year olds including my Son Robbie, with the intention of blooding them into men’s football. We had a great season which both the lads and I thoroughly enjoyed. This brought some great young talent into the club too, some of those players are now in the ones and reserves… So a job well done!!!

Question 3 – Who was the best Manager/Captain you played under?

This is a difficult one, as we didn’t have managers in the early years, we all just had our say at half time. So very hard for me to pick one, as there has been so many myself included!!!

Question 4 – Your funniest Ruts Football Memory.

Again this is quite recent during the 1st year with the youngsters. We always struggled for a Keeper and this particular week I managed to persuade Sean Spacey to play and we were away to United. During the second half Sean pulled off a great save, but afterwards he couldn’t get up as there forward smashed a ball into his face deflecting for a corner Sean started crawling towards me commando style saying “ Boo I’m finished get me off”!! To be honest I’m surprised he lasted that long what with having 2 hip replacements!!

Question 5 – What is your least favourite Ruts Football Memory?

This was on Sunday 23rd October 2005, in a Vets game away to Wandgas. There were 10 minutes to go losing in a good game and a Ball came over the top and I was running back to pass to Craig Lyle in goal, when all of a sudden I find myself on the floor after there forward went straight through me. This resulted in broken Tibia, damaged ligaments and my ankle pinned in two places. I spent 6 months in plaster and had to have 7 months off work.

Question 6 – Best Player you ever played with for the Ruts?

Having played for all 4 teams on a Saturday and Vets on a Sunday over a span of nearly 30 years this is a hard one to answer as I have played with many great players.

To name a few, Chris Bullen, Gary Newcome, Howard Meredith, Jimmy Bolton, Spud, Boony, Eggy, Capper, Gappy, Gavin, Wally, the list goes on and on, so unfortunately I am unable to pick the best.

Question 7 – Favourite Goal you scored or were part of in the build up?

Me and scoring goals don’t go together, but one that sticks in my memory, was a screamer against NPL. I found myself on the edge of the penalty box and somehow the ball came to me. I hit it sweet as a nut into the top corner. I was running back to find Gavin to celebrate with and him telling me it had been disallowed, someone was offside……Stand up Mr Graham Clayton!!

Question 8 – Most embarrassing moment in a Ruts Shirt? (Playing or Socially)

This has got to be playing at Poplar Road one Saturday in 1995/6.

I had been going through a rough time off the pitch. The game was in full swing when the Ref blew his whistle and halted the game. Is there a Graham Larcombe playing today, I raised my hand then a guy walks onto the pitch and served me with divorce papers!!! I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me.