Jamie Heapy Joins City
Oct 5, 2011 13:17:45 GMT
Post by ChrisB on Oct 5, 2011 13:17:45 GMT
The following press release appeared on the Didcot Town site today
End of an era as Didcot skipper joins City.
Just two weeks after Didcot Town manager Francis Vines resigned from his post, the club have been stunned by the news veteran skipper Jamie Heapy is leaving to join Oxfordshire rivals Oxford City.
A true one-club man until this point, Heapy made more than 720 appearances and played in every position (including goalkeeper) in a career spanning 16 years with the Railwaymen.
As club captain Heapy led Didcot to unprecedented success and silverware having lifted the FA Vase in 2005, the Hellenic Premier Division title in 2006, three Hellenic Challenge Cups, two Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy victories and also skippered the side to promotion into the Southern League Premier Division via the play-offs in 2009 - the highest level in the club's 104 year hstory.
And it's that desire to play in the Premier Division with City, along with the chance of working under Mike Ford and Stuart Peace again, which has attracted Heapy to Court Place Farm.
Heapy commented on his departure:"It's nothing to do with new manager Dave Mudge, who has impressed me already in his short time at the club, it just feels now is the right time to try and test myself at the highest level possible. I'm not getting any younger, and I may not have too many more years playing the game. Sixteen years is a long time at one club, and while Didcot Town will always be a very special place to me, I think I can still play in the Premier Division and City have offered me a great opportunity. I have played with Mike Ford, and worked under Stuart Peace for a number of years, so I know it'll be hard work but I'm looking forward to a new challenge."
Didcot Chairman John Bailey:" Obviously we didn't want to lose him, Jamie will go down as one of the most successful and loyal players the football club have ever had. But at the same time you have to respect his desire to test himself at a better standard; so he goes with our blessing and we wish him the best of luck."
Heapy played his last game for Didcot last night (Tuesday 4 October) in a 1-0 defeat at Halesowen; a result which leaves Mudge's side just four places off the bottom of the Evo-Stik League South & West Division.
Heapy is expected to complete the paperwork this week that would make him eligible to be included in City's squad for the Southern League Premier Division match against Swindon Supermarine on Saturday.
End of an era as Didcot skipper joins City.
Just two weeks after Didcot Town manager Francis Vines resigned from his post, the club have been stunned by the news veteran skipper Jamie Heapy is leaving to join Oxfordshire rivals Oxford City.
A true one-club man until this point, Heapy made more than 720 appearances and played in every position (including goalkeeper) in a career spanning 16 years with the Railwaymen.
As club captain Heapy led Didcot to unprecedented success and silverware having lifted the FA Vase in 2005, the Hellenic Premier Division title in 2006, three Hellenic Challenge Cups, two Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy victories and also skippered the side to promotion into the Southern League Premier Division via the play-offs in 2009 - the highest level in the club's 104 year hstory.
And it's that desire to play in the Premier Division with City, along with the chance of working under Mike Ford and Stuart Peace again, which has attracted Heapy to Court Place Farm.
Heapy commented on his departure:"It's nothing to do with new manager Dave Mudge, who has impressed me already in his short time at the club, it just feels now is the right time to try and test myself at the highest level possible. I'm not getting any younger, and I may not have too many more years playing the game. Sixteen years is a long time at one club, and while Didcot Town will always be a very special place to me, I think I can still play in the Premier Division and City have offered me a great opportunity. I have played with Mike Ford, and worked under Stuart Peace for a number of years, so I know it'll be hard work but I'm looking forward to a new challenge."
Didcot Chairman John Bailey:" Obviously we didn't want to lose him, Jamie will go down as one of the most successful and loyal players the football club have ever had. But at the same time you have to respect his desire to test himself at a better standard; so he goes with our blessing and we wish him the best of luck."
Heapy played his last game for Didcot last night (Tuesday 4 October) in a 1-0 defeat at Halesowen; a result which leaves Mudge's side just four places off the bottom of the Evo-Stik League South & West Division.
Heapy is expected to complete the paperwork this week that would make him eligible to be included in City's squad for the Southern League Premier Division match against Swindon Supermarine on Saturday.
