Alan Garrett – 40 years service

At Wrington Redhill Football Club's End of Season Awards Evening Manager Alan Garrett received a standing ovation in recognition of his 40 years’ service to the Club. He was presented with a watch by life member and former Club Chairman Tim Bush, for many years a team mate of Alan's.

Alan spent his early life in Wrington, attending Wrington and Churchill Schools. He played for Wrington Reserves when he was 14 but was soon picked to play for the first team. At that time Wrington had a strong team playing in the Bristol and District League and Alan was picked on ability ahead of others older than him.

Alan married Marilyn (Chard) and they moved away from the village. At that time Alan could have played at a higher standard but he chose to stay loyal to his village team.

His loyalty was rewarded when Roy Hillman returned to manage the First team. Roy masterminded the Club's election to the Somerset Senior League and his team moved through the divisions, only narrowly missing out on promotion to the premier division and also reaching a Somerset Senior Cup semi- final on the way. Roy's success was based on a strong defence and Alan was a linchpin of that defence.

During his long playing career Alan must have played about 1000 games. In his early years he was a prolific goal scorer and he was surely among the best players the Club has had in its long and proud history. When the years began to take their toll Alan stepped down to play in the Third and then the Reserve teams. He also played regularly for the Sunday teams including Redhill Sunday team before the two Clubs amalgamated.

Inevitably, Alan moved on to management and in 2001 his Reserves Team won the 2nd Division championship in the Weston-super-Mare and District League and the Charity Cup. He then took over the first team and this season guided them to promotion to the 2nd Division of the County League, thus completing this feat as both player and manager.

Alan's services to the Club have not been confined to the pitch. He has been the treasurer and an active committee member for well over 25 years. He organised the Village May Day Fun Run, to raise funds for the Club, for 24 years. He has arranged and been the quizmaster at the Club's popular quiz nights for many years and been involved in just about every activity within the Club.

For all his loyal and valuable service it was also announced, at the Presentation evening, that Alan is to be made a Life Member of the Club.

I have been privileged to be Alan's friend throughout the whole of those 40 years.