Loyalty is almost a forgotten trait in modern football but Hendon is a glorious exception to that rule because the management team has instilled a level of loyalty that is as refreshing as it is unheard of. Casey Maclaren is a case in point. Now in his eighth season with the Greens, he has had to endure a huge amount of time on the sidelines and instead of heading towards 300 appearances, he should be looking towards his 400th, but back, knee and muscle problems have kept him out of one-third of all matches. Casey's bravery in overcoming these setbacks, together with this loyalty and willingness to help the team where ever it is needed are just two of the most laudable of his attributes.

Casey joined Hendon in the summer of 2007, aged 20, after he had been released by AFC Wimbledon. He was an unused substitute in the opening game of the season, but made his first-team debut three days later, a 2-1 home victory against Leyton, albeit as a stoppage time substitute for Brian Haule. Casey made his first start at Earlsmead on August Bank Holiday Monday, another 2-1 win against Harrow Borough.

It would be wrong to say that Casey's versatility hurt him, but as he was comfortable at full-back, centre-back and in midfield - his attacking days were in front of him - it did mean he didn't have one position. As a right-back, he opened his Hendon scoring account, netting the first in a 2-0 victory over Horsham at Claremont Road in mid-November, the goal coming as he anticipated a deflection and was athletic enough to apply the decisive touch. Two weeks later, at an almost waterlogged Folkestone Invicta, midfielder Casey opened the scoring in a 4-0 win, scoring with a 20-yard strike. Although he appeared in only two-thirds of the matches in 2007-08, he still managed to register six goals - a more than acceptable strike rate of one in six. Towards the end of the season, however, Casey began to experience back trouble and he missed the London Senior Cup final defeat against Tooting & Mitcham United at Imber Court. He had more than played his part in earlier rounds scoring against both Corinthian–Casuals and Leyton. Away from football, Casey attracted national attention by becoming the youngest-ever holder of a taxi-driver's green badge, receiving it on his 21st birthday, the youngest possible age.

The 2008-09 season was one of huge frustration for Casey as he was limited to just nine appearances, only six of which were starts. A multitude of tests failed to discover the cause of back problems. There was a reward for him at the end of the season as he was on the substitutes' bench for the London Senior Cup final against Croydon Athletic at Kingsmeadow. Although he didn't come on, he did receive a winner's medal after the Greens triumphed in the penalty shoot-out following a 2-2 draw.

At the start of the following season, Casey gutted it out and he scored one of the most important goals in his Hendon career when he equalised against Kingstonian in the FA Cup, a match the Greens won 2-1 and they went on to reach the last qualifying round. It was Casey's most prolific season for Hendon and a total of 10 goals was a laudable return, as he played in defence, midfield and - on a couple of occasions - lone striker and he missed only one League game all campaign. His willingness to take on that attacking role summed up Casey's dedication to the club and the cause. Twelve months later, Casey was a key member of the squad which reached the first round proper and it was his goal that sealed victory over the Metropolitan Police at Imber Court in a fourth qualifying round replay. He played the full 90 minutes in the 3-2 loss at Chelmsford City.

Unfortunately, the 2011-12 season was another injury-ravaged one for Casey as he suffered a serious knee injury in the FA Cup defeat at Luton Town. He did make it back for the end of the season and collected a second London Senior Cup winner's medal, this time playing the full 90 minutes in the 2-0 defeat of Kingstonian at Imber Court. The following season, Casey again played in the FA Cup first round proper, being part of the team which was so unlucky to lose 2-1 at Aldershot Town. In the last couple of seasons, Casey has stepped up to become an outstanding central defender, and that may - today - be his best position.

Casey has won three winners medals, all in the London Senior Cup, as well as some runners-up ones, a good reward for a very loyal and dedicated player. Unfortunately he missed the win in the Isthmian League Cup last season through injury.

Joined Hendon: Summer 2007
Appearances: 276 Goals 40
Medals won: London Senior Cup: 2008-09, 2011-12, 2014-15