Page 7 - Raynes Park Vale vs Farnham Town

Obituary

Dave Brenen 2003. Short of players, he played the

whole of the 2nd half. Did alright too.
Captain, Founder, Father, Friend I remember I pinged a long high ball
Non League Football lost one of its to him hard. Dave took it down, con-
very best this month when we learnt the trolled it perfectly with one touch and
sad news that Raynes Park legend Dave laid the ball off. Still had an eye for the
Brenen had passed away at the age of ball at 60!” A story confirmed by Vale
79. manager at the time Lee Dobinson who
Born on 18th Jan 1943 in South Shields
during WWII, Geordie Dave support-
ed Newcastle United. He had spells
at West Brom & York City reserves.
Dave joined Raynes Park in 1973 and
was captain through to the 1980’s. A
left back with a great left foot, good
positional play and exceptional stam-
ina. In later life Dave would complete
three or four Great North runs with Dave Brenen with SC 1st Div Title Trophy
his son Andy. Dave did everything at
the club - he was chairman, managed describes DB as one of the greats. Dave Brenen (right) takes on an opponent on tour in France 1983
the reserve & youth teams, was secre- Tributes have poured in for Dave Bre- here, even then. of my first games, in the bar afterwards,
tary, club president & would play Vets nen. They say that all men are brothers Some memories from friends: Fellow someone said to me “how come you
football into his 60’s. He was one of but I’m struck by how loved he was by RP legends Brian Biggs & current club didn’t take the pen, Cal?” Then a Geor-
those great non-league men, guys who the reaction of those who knew him. secretary Paul Armour: die voice behind went “because Scot-
live & breathe football, and build clubs. They say that Dave was funny, that How would you describe Dave? tish players have no bollocks!” I turned
Dave’s was the name on the agreement he was a good friend and a true gen- “Hilarious. The club in those days, round and DB just smiled and said
representing Raynes Park FC when they tleman. That he was direct but kind & 1978 to ’83 would tour to West France “Well played son, what you drinking?”
merged with Malden Vale in 1995. that he liked the odd beer. Dave often every summer to play Martigne Briand That was the first of many laughs I had
One amazing story about Dave is told stated that he had travelled the country FC and share a few bottles from the with DB.
here by current RPV general manager from North to South, played for many vineyards." Graham Rodber, Football adminis-
Marc Skinner, then in his early 20’s. different clubs but he made friends for "I’d go as referee says Brian. Great trator and referee: Dave was a foot-
“Dave signed me here. He played for life at Raynes Park. Dave supported this days. We all made lifelong friends on ball man through and through and his
Raynes Park Vale, the senior 1st team, club to his very last & came to every those tours." dedication and commitment to football
in the Combined Counties League, game he could. He was at every Satur- Former RPV captain Callum Forbes: should never be underestimated, a true
at sixty-years old! Last game of the day home game till 2020 even when the “My funniest memory of DB was back legend of the game!
season was away at Frimley Green, in Parkinson’s was very advanced. He was in 2012 when I joined RPV. After one Nigel Thorn: Raynes Park & RPV: