Congrats to Bruce Graham who today plays his 1080 match in the Kirk Benjamin Memorial Trophy at Hayes today at 12.30pm 

A profile below

Bruce Graham – Profile info as at 12th April, 2024

Background information
Born 1955
Joined Wilsons (Camberwell) 1966
Captain U16’s 1972/73 Photo attached (see a young Paul Hanifan, extreme right of bottom row). Ceased playing for School thereafter, to fund cars, girlfriends and pubs (not necessarily in that order).
Left Wilsons (Camberwell) 1974
Joined OWFC 1976 Following chance meeting with schoolfriend Graham Powell, started for 3rd XI, playing alongside club legends Ian Forbes, Mike Kendrick and Ian Rayworth. Later that season I was selected for the 2nd XI and made the 1st XI in my second season.
Chairman of Ways & Means Committee 1980-87 Questionable fund-raising activities included “Sponsored Pub Walks”, promoting excess drinking - a minimum of 1⁄2 pint at 12 stops, although the real men did a pint, “Race-Nights”, promoting excess gambling and “Stag-Nights” – promoting excess political incorrectness in the form of strippers and racist comedians.
President of OWFC Circa 2000?
Player of the Year Awards Various 1st XI 1986/87 (photo attached) and various other years including 4th XI double-winning year 2004/05.

Vital Statistics (to date) Appearances Goals 1st XI 447 26
2nd XI 137 8
3rd XI 159 24

4th XI 84 17
5th XI 41 5
6th XI 64 12
7th XI 44 4
8th XI 64 12
9th XI 2 -
Vets/Supervets 37 -
Totals 1,079 98 Less than 10 bookings (probably) and just 1 sending off.

5

Other info
Best OWFC season 2004/5 4th XI League and cup double under captain Gaffa, my Son James played the second half season, I won Player of the Year and was introduced to Inferno's at Clapham.

Best OWFC moment 1,000th game Guard of honour by the home teams and opposition (Witan) even presented me with a bottle of Champagne.

Best OWFC player played with Lee Montomery Silky, two-footed player, able to beat players at will and with limitless stamina (moved on to play semi-pro with Epsom & Ewell).

Best (football) advice received “Make sure you are not the player that gives the ball away” - advice offered with more than a hint of menace by Gerry Reaseley on my 1st XI debut, along the lines of "make sure you’re not the c*** who gives the f***ing ball away".

Worst OWFC season 1993/94'ish - 1st XI Lost two cup finals.

Funniest OWFC moment OWFC Prague Tour Tour “gimps” , Gary Bonsels, John Howe and Andy McCutcheon wrestling (Greek Style) for the entertainment of their “masters’ in the centre of a large restaurant in Prague, dressed in nothing but their gold lame hot-pants. (Note – gimps were schoolboys invited on tour on the basis that their tour costs were heavily subsidised, in return for which they were required to the provide services to their allocated masters, mainly serving food and drinks. Masters, of course, had to take care of their gimps, in particular being sure to hold their hands when crossing a road, at the risk if incurring a serious penalty/fine).

Professional team supported West Ham United I was 7 when they won the FA Cup in 1963, 8 when they won the European Cup Winners Cup and 9 when they won the World Cup in 1966
Favourite professional player (all-time) Bobby Moore (of course)
Ronaldo vs Messi? Messi Aversion to strutting peacocks (and Man United) – preferred fat Ronaldo before he got fat.