Sat 31 Mar 2012, 09:59
On 31st March 1997, Gary McCann made his playing debut for the club having been signed from Dulwich Hamlet by Frank Murphy. His first game was a 3-0 defeat against Aylesbury United at Claremont Road, but the club went on to win 6 of their last 7 games with Gary between the sticks, ensuring safety from relegation.
As long standing supporters will know, he was a regular between the sticks until the summer of 2000, and whilst he had spells away at other clubs including Slough Town and Aylesbury United, he made his 196th and final appearance at Bedford Town in September 2003 covering for the unavailable Dave King as a favour to then manager Dave Anderson.
Gary returned to the club as manager in February 2005 and has been with the Greens ever since, overseeing 394 games as manager so far - 304 in the league and 90 in the various cup competitions.
We are all hoping that Gary is able to celebrate the anniversary of his debut with three points at Lewes this afternoon.
For more about Gary's time with us as a player, check out the excellent Whitmarsh Whiskers blog linked below.