Date: Fri 08 Jan 2021

By Steve Whitney

Focus on……Steve Shea

A series on players who have spent some of their careers as a player or manager in the Southern League.

They have picked their best XI`s, biggest games, best managers played for etc.

We start off with Steve Shea, who supporters of the likes of Hitchin Town, Chesham United and Berkhamsted amongst others will remember.

Shea was a well-travelled defender, born in Luton, who was on Everton, Aston Villa and Luton Town`s books as a youngster and was also connected with Dutch giants Feyenoord for a while.

He is still very much involved in the game as a scout, currently with Premier League Leicester City and previously with Queens Park Rangers and Coventry City.

Previous Clubs:

St Albans City, Chesham United, Hendon, Hitchin Town, Harrow Borough, Staines Town, Berkhamsted, Leighton Town, Rushden & Diamonds, Aylesbury United, VS Rugby, Ilkeston Town and Moor Green

Best Game Played In?

Quite early into my non-League career in St Albans City`s last game of the 1985/86 season at Lewes. We needed to win big to win the league ahead of Wembley FC. We won 7-1 (I think!)

Best 11 Played With?

This is so difficult as I had the good fortune to play with some fantastic players and characters and could have easily picked another five teams of best 11 played with.

Just thinking now and completely forgotten about many more lads - so any I've not mentioned please don't be offended as I could pick another 11 right now! (Players like Terry Benning, Gary Keen, Mick O' Shea, Duncan Hardy, Colin Tate, Phil Gridelet, Darren Collins, Ian Lyndsay, Kevin Mudd - the list is endless...

But here goes:

GK - Tony Luff - Hitchin Town - Huge Presence and Commanding.

RB - Ian Whitehead – Hitchin Town. - never saw a winger go by him – 7 or 8 out of 10 every week.

CB - Alan Campbell - Hendon FC - Class, exactly what you want from a CB.

CB - Bob Dowie - St Albans City/Hendon FC. Tough, aggressive and dominant.

LB - Alan Pluckrose - Aylesbury United. - so reliable, great left foot, asset going forward.

RW - Dermot Drummy (RIP) - Hendon FC. – Tricky, skilful and great ability.

CM - Dean Emerson - VS Rugby. Talker, organiser, energy, box-to-box player.

CM - Mark Pye - Harrow Borough. Silky, skilful and played with a smile.

LW - Aidy Mann - Rushden & Diamonds. Tricky, skilful and pacey (probably had more clubs than me too!).

CF - Iain Dowie - St Albans City/Hendon FC. Huge presence, hungry, good work rate.

CF - Cliff Hercules - Aylesbury United. Just simply a non-League legend.

Sub - James Heaps GK - Leighton Town

Sub - Jason Court - St Albans City/ Chesham United

Sub - Roger Wade - Hendon FC/ Hitchin Town

Sub - Mark Burke - Hitchin Town

Sub - Stephen Conroy - St Albans City/Hitchin Town/Harrow Borough/ Chesham United

Best Manager?

Peter (Lasher) Lawrence. I had a good affinity with Pete and played for him at four different clubs

Best Coach?

Kim Casey (left) - Moor Green FC - different class! Put another two years on my playing career - he was a great player too for Wycombe and Kidderminster Harriers and England semi-pro

Best Captain?

Dean Emerson - VS Rugby – Ex-Coventry City player absolutely top draw - great example of how to prepare for games

Funniest Team-Mate?

Mark Pye - great player, great character. Just a funny lad. Had many a great night out with him!

Best Mate In Football?

Conny - Steve Conroy (right) - played with him at three or four different clubs, socialised together - still in touch to this day

Words of Advice?

Work hard, be committed, enjoy playing - because you`re a long time retired!

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