Dave Diaper - 900 not out
A significant milestone is achieved this Saturday when Dave Diaper manages Sholing for the 900th time.
The game not only marks Dave's 900 matches, but is also the Boatmen's "Club Day" where it's FREE admission for our 3pm game versus Bournemouth Poppies and where we want all our Youth Teams, Parents, Coaches, Ladies Team, Pan-Disability teams, volunteers and sponsors to be present.
"Diapes" has been with the club since the 1999/00 season and has overseen the Boatmen being promoted from the Hampshire League to the Wessex and then the Southern League South & West. Also in those 18 years, the club has gone through three name changes (Vospers, VT & Sholing), the highs of winning trophies & championships and the lows of gut-wrenching defeats in the Southern League Play-offs and then subsequent relegation. However, no one will ever forget that day in May 2014 when Sholing appeared at Wembley and won the FA Vase.
In Dave Diaper's own words, a look back at how he came to be at the club and his memories :
"Wow! 1999 seems a lifetime ago, but that's when it all started with a visit from Bill Boyle, Trevor Lewis and Arthur Fox to my offices at BSA, to ask me if I would be interested in becoming Vosper Thorneycroft's Manager. It didn't take much to convince me as I was in the process of leaving B.A.T (Saturdays) as their manager."
"I was impressed with their honesty and ambition and agreed to take over. Wasn't sure what I was taking on, but I saw it as a challenge... and what a challenge it was! So, that's how it all started."
"You don't manage a team for 18 years without having some great memories and believe you me, there are too many to mention, but I will share with you the secret of our continued success. It's the Team Ethic and camaraderie of the squad of players I have had the privilege to manage."
"That togetherness was always present ON and OFF the pitch and on our infamous Coach journeys back from away games. On these, the young players learned the special bond within the squad and quickly came of age! (sorry Mums & Dads!)."
"Obviously, winning the FA Vase in 2014 was the highlight of my career and I cannot describe in words how proud I was to lead the players out at Wembley and also sing the National Anthem. I still swell up when I think about it. The day was made complete when we beat West Auckland and one thing is for sure, Wembley is not a place to be if you lose a Final. I will never forget the look of devastation on the faces of the opposition players and Management that day."
"Things have moved on since then, but the Club's winning mentality has still been the same and results have been encouraging during this time of rebuilding, with us finishing runners up last season, reaching two Finals this season and hopefully finishing in the top 4... so the future looks good, but we can never rest on our laurels."
"I still have the drive and passion to carry on taking Sholing forward. We will have trials and tribulations that we will have to overcome in the coming months regarding re-investment that allows us to keep progressing as a club."
"I'd like to publically thank all those who have helped me get to this landmark. My family, the players, coaches, club volunteers, sponsors and supporters. Up The Boatmen! - Dave"
Club Honours under Dave Diaper:
FA Vase Winners
Southern League South & West Runners Up
Wessex League Champions
Wessex League Cup Winners
Southampton Senior Cup Winners
Hampshire League Winners
Hampshire Cup Finalists