Graham Bressington

In a broad southern accent, with a pint of beer in one hand and a cheeky grin, Bressy looked at me and said; “Everyone knows I’d have sold my gran for a facking win on a Saturday afternoon.”

That was 2008, a dinner celebrating 20 years since the GMVC win and I had finally got to meet another of my heroes. I haven’t just picked my favourite players here, but believe me, Graham Bressington would have been just right for a Danny Cowley side.

He wouldn’t take losing lightly, not one bit. He fought tooth and nail every time he stepped on the pitch and fewer had character like he did. Okay, I know he might have had to adapt to the modern game a little more than some, it’s rumoured he did like a tipple or ten, but if we focus purely on Graham Bressington the player, then he would have fit right in.

He played in the midfield, not unlike Michael O’Connor in his industry and endeavour. He had a spectacular goal in him too, one against Gillingham stick in my mind from November 1989. He could strike a ball and, when the mood took him, he could carry it too.

He was a fighter though, he refused to lose in a side that, sadly, did lose a few, but that attitude coupled with his all-action displays would see him right up there in a Danny Cowley squad.