My First XI: Canvey Island, David Powell

David brings us a Canvey side which spans three decades, and shares his memories of his XI in great detail.

GOALKEEPER : DANNY POTTER

Canvey have been blessed with some great goalkeepers down the years. In recent times, the likes of Josh Vickers, Harry Palmer, Henry Newcombe and Lemar Johnson have worn the number one jersey with great distinction. James Russell had three seasons for Canvey in which he proved he was one of the best keepers at our level. I’m going to pick Danny Potter, though. Not only was he a fantastic shot stopper with brilliant reflexes but he was a real character, often having great banter with away fans. Many a time he would make absolute world class saves that were more befitting of a goalkeeper playing at the highest level.

My favourite memory of Danny’s time at Canvey was in a FA Trophy semi-final in 2004 against Telford, when he saved a crucial penalty in the shoot out to send Gulls through to the final. Canvey were lucky to have another great keeper at that time in Ashley Harrison but Danny was a key player in Canvey’s 2003/04 Isthmian Premier title win and the two subsequent seasons in the Conference.

DEFENDER: BEN CHENERY

With a plethora of great centre backs it was easier to go for 3 of them. Chenners will always be fondly remembered by Canvey fans as he headed home the winning goal in the 2001 Trophy Final against Forest Green Rovers. Brave, strong in the air, he was a key player at the back for Canvey from 2000 to 2006, proving influential in Gulls’ FA Cup and Trophy runs and title winning season.

DEFENDER: STEVE WARD

Nicknamed the ‘Ginger Sex God’ -probably because he looked like Lomper from ‘The Full Monty’- Wardy played over 500 games for Canvey in 3 separate spells for the club. In his most important spell, he helped Canvey to two FA Trophy finals and progress up the Isthmian League. Wardy was a real character, but a great defender who could read the game superbly. In his final spell with the club, he won the Essex Senior Cup in 2012 and will always be considered a legend at Park Lane.

DEFENDER: CHRIS MOORE

The final centre back spot was a tough choice with Mick Bodley, Steve Porter and John Easterford all in consideration but Mooro deserves a place as he rarely had a bad game and was a real rock at the back for Canvey. He had two spells in the yellow jersey, the highlight of his second spell being a sensational overhead kick goal against Billericay in a 4-0 win in 2008 which went viral over the internet!

RIGHT WING BACK: JOHN KENNEDY

Canvey’s Mr Consistent, JK was a real workhorse down the right wing between 2000-2006. He had incredible energy and workrate, one minute preventing opposition attacks with a timely tackle, the next minute providing a cross or weighing in with a goal. He was the unsung hero of that Canvey side but an important player in their success.

CENTRE MIDFIELD: STEVE TILSON

Steve arrived in 1997 after being released by Southend United at a time when Canvey had just been relegated to Isthmian League Division 2. For the next 5 years as captain, he was influential in helping Canvey climb the leagues, often scoring 20 plus goals a season from midfield. He could easily have still played at professional level but in the Isthmian League he was a class above. Although his spell as Gulls manager in 2012/13 didn’t quite work out, he is still considered a legend who played a massive part in helping put Canvey on the footballing map.

CENTRE MIDFIELD: JEFF MINTON

Probably one of the most skilful players I’ve seen in a Canvey shirt. The little man was a genius in midfield and an absolute joy to watch. When Steve Tilson retired from playing in 2002 to concentrate on coaching at Southend, Minton came in to fill the creative role in midfield and did it in style. At times he could drift out of a game but then create a moment of real magic. He could dribble, pass, score long range goals. He was easily far too good for the Isthmian League. My favourite memory of Jeff was scoring a hat-trick in a 4-3 victory over Dover in an FA Cup tie in 2003 when at one stage Gulls were 3-0 down with 25 minutes to go.

CENTRE MIDFIELD: KEVIN DOBINSON

The final midfield spot was a tough choice. There’s no doubt Mark Stimson was a real influence in Canvey’s cup runs of the early 2000s but Dobbo gets the spot as not only did he play a part in Canvey getting to the Conference but he was a key figure when returning to the club after Canvey dropped into the Isthmian Division One North in 2006 following Jeff King’s departure. Dobbo was the calming influence in midfield leading a young team to promotion in 2008. He was tough and uncompromising but skilful, a great leader and character and scored some important goals. He had numerous spells at Canvey but always gave his all every time he put on the yellow shirt.

Honourable mentions must go to Matt Game and Alan Brett.

LEFT WING BACK: ALEX RHODES

The majority of my side contains many of the names from the great Canvey teams of the early to mid-2000’s so I was tempted to select Chris Duffy, but I didn’t want to ignore Canvey’s more recent history. Alex Rhodes had an excellent career at Football League level for Brentford and Bradford City so it was a real coup when Canvey signed him in 2010. Many of the players I’ve selected played far more games than Alex but he gets in my team as he was such an exciting player to watch. A typical winger who could run at players, had pace and skill and could score goals. A 90th minute equaliser against Wealdstone scoring a goal out of nothing proved what a quality player he was. Injuries blighted his time at Park Lane but fans still remember him fondly.

Honourable mentions must go to Gabriel Fanibuyan, Ashley Dumas and Steve Parmenter.

STRIKER: LEE BOYLAN

Probably the best player I’ve seen in a Canvey shirt and my favourite player to have played for the club. Boylan could score goals from anywhere and scored nearly 100 goals in two seasons. The man was a poacher, a real goal machine. Several bad injuries blighted his two seasons in the Conference and probably stopped him from going on to play at a much higher level, but Boylan is up there as one of the greatest strikers that as ever played in the Isthmian League.

STRIKER: NEIL GREGORY

Tough choice for the final striking place but it goes to Greggors as he scored so many important goals, especially in the 2001/02 FA cup run when he scored spectacular winning goals against Wigan and Northampton. He was the target man, often unselfishly setting up goals for his strike partner, but regularly scored double figures in his seven years for the club.

Honourable mentions go to Andy Jones, Jason Hallett and Martin Tuohy.

Right, let’s have your First XI! Email your squad to Ian at townsendaround@gmail.com and you’ll see it appear here.