AFTER 40 memorable years in football, Bruce Richardson (pictured right) is packing his bags to head to the sun when he and his wife Kath retire to Cyprus later this year.

His latest role has been as assistant manager and physio with Kendal Town and he received an emotional send-off as the tributes and gifts were made at the club's presentation evening in The Park night club last Saturday.

"It's been wonderful - sport is there to be enjoyed and I've really done that," said Bruce, who still prides himself on keeping fit and trim at 57.

From Meathop, near Grange, Bruce kicked his first competitive football at the age of 15 for Milnthorpe Corinthians and only finished playing at 50 when he last turned out for Netherfield Reserves.

He eventually became player-manager at Corinthians and during his time saw the emerging talents of Colin Cowperthwaite and Peter McDonnell as teenagers both of them going on to join Football League clubs.

"If I had to choose a highlight looking back it would be going to Wembley and see those two help Barrow win the FA Trophy, " said Bruce.

His connection with Kendal Town, when it was still Netherfield FC, began when the club hit hard times in the late 70s and he came Parkside as assistant manager with Bobby Fisher.

After helping Netherfield retain their Northern Premier League status, he returned to Milnthorpe and also had a three-year spell managing Grange in the North Lancashire League, during which they rose from the second to the premier division. Then it was back to Netherfield in a variety of supporting roles to no fewer than five managers, apart from a break playing squash for Kendal when he took the chance to train to be a physio.

"There's been high and lows along the way, of course, but I've had a tremendous season to go out on helping Pete Smith and I'll definitely miss all the lads and football in general!

Mind you, rumour has it that the Richardsons' new Mediterranean home lies within sight of, guess what. a sports stadium.

May 2, 2003 09:00