We have all been shocked this week to learn of the passing of club legend, 'Bammer', who has been such a presence here for the last 40 years, first as a player, then as acting player-manager at very short notice at a terribly difficult time and finally as club captain after retiring as a professional player. That final role had no specific duties but in recent years, apart from regularly being a supporter here, he took an interest in the Academy players, giving his time to talk to them, passing on the fine values that he had displayed in his lengthy, admirable career which may never be matched at Buxton Football Club. In terms of ability and approach, he stands alongside the best of local players of recent times - Ken Shirley, Terry Allen, Peter Lomas and Carl Holmes.
For the record, 'Bammer' made his debut on September 29th,1982, as a midfielder in a 1-4 defeat at Worksop Town, but it was in the '84/'85 season that he became a regular choice when Mick Davis was manager. In all he served 16 different Buxton managers, making his final appearance, aged 43, for Nicky Law on April 25th, 2006, in a cameo substitute role in the 1-0 home defeat of Liversedge as 'the Bucks' cruised to the NCEL title. That was his six hundred and forty second appearance, spread over two spells. His first spell ended, after scoring 3 goals in 210 appearances in December 1988 when manager Bob Murphy controversially forced David's transfer, very much contrary to the player's wishes, to Stalybridge Celtic, for whom he played for two seasons before having a similar period at Leek Town. He was a first team regular at both clubs.
After Murphy retired, his successor, Ernie Oliver, paid Leek a fee for his return in October 1992 and here he stayed. His final goals tally was 23, the last being netted in April 2003 when his header at a Carl Holmes corner-kick was the decisive third goal in a 3-1 home victory over Borrowash Victoria. ‘Bammer’s playing career was therefore drawing to a close just as his beloved Buxton FC was beginning its revival which happily has continued to today, but he deserves so much credit for sticking with the club during those vastly difficult years either side of the millennium.
That came to a head in the summer of 1999 when Buxton FC's acute financial problem meant that it could afford only to 'go local’, with the esteemed Tony 'Oscar' Hodgkinson as manager. As a very fit, vastly experienced 36-year-old, David could surely have continued to play professionally elsewhere but instead he chose to stay for a mere pittance of a wage and that in itself most probably encouraged other local players to sign. His loyalty was further displayed late in the 2001/2 season. With the club deep in trouble at the wrong end of the NCEL table, manager Mark Smith resigned immediately after an Easter Saturday defeat, yet, with a fixture to be fulfilled just 2 days later at Goole, ‘Bammer' without hesitation agreed to take charge for the rest of the campaign. The players were delighted and produced their best sequence of results for him, winning three drawing three and losing three by the end. Not wishing to take on the role permanently he whole-heartedly backed Kenny Johnson and Ronnie Wright as they began the task of awaking the 'sleeping giant'.
Even after he had made his last Buxton FC appearance, ‘Bammer’s love of the game, his renowned physical fitness and his good fortune in having avoided serious injury led him to play locally as an amateur well into his 50's. And so it was that, unsurprisingly, he was asked to captain the several Buxton FC Legends teams that played versus the likes of Liverpool and Manchester Utd Legends. How proud David was to be so and there were still clear signs of his former virtues of total commitment, a 100% positive approach and the robust tackling of yesteryear. His former team-mate, Mark Reed, was amused by his challenges in midfield on one-time Liverpool star, Jan Molby!
An indication of the club's appreciation of 'Bammer's services was the boardroom being named in his honour, while he and the family made another contribution to Buxton FC by donating the 'Players' Player-of-the-Season' trophy. The family has now produced three generations of players for Buxton FC with Bammer's father, John, and son Nick both wearing the club's colours.
News of Bammer's passing that day brought an out-pouring of tributes from a host of football folk, including former team-mates, departed managers, Craig Elliott & Martin McIntosh, photographer Lee Parker & Matlock Town F.C. Two players have sent messages which sum up 'Bammer's many virtues. Sean O'Shea was a young winger from Huddersfield who played in the 2001/2 season and he recalls, “I was a young kid when I joined the club and Bammer welcomed me ,advised me, made me work hard and made sure I respected the club he loved. He led by example, he was one of those characters that you loved being around and looked forward to seeing. That feeling never changed whenever I visited the club. I’m deeply saddened by his passing".
Mark Reed's recollection was, "he was tough and business-like on the pitch, loving the physical side of the game but also a talented player and not just a hard man. He was the most loyal man to the club and incredibly humble with it. His record of appearances through good times and bad will never be beaten. A true servant to his club and community. The whole Bainbridge family was great with me and 'Bammer' would always take the time to talk. He would sneak my girls’ sweeties when they visited Buxton FC. I have nothing but good memories of how he influenced me as a young, naive footballer in so many positive ways,"
Indeed, may he rest in peace.
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