GRAHAM Kemp is standing down as Bemerton Heath Harlequins boss at the end of the season out of sheer frustration that modern-day footballers are not committed enough.

After 40 years in the game, Kemp – one of the most decorated players and dedicated managers in Wessex League history – has grown tired of listening to lame excuses as to why players cannot show up for games.

With a double glazing firm to run and two young sons, aged five and two, keeping him busy at home, the 52-year-old has enough on his plate without having to chase up players who seemingly have better things to do.

Kemp said: “Me and others of my generation passed up weddings and christenings for football, but now it seems to be the slightest excuse and they can’t play.

“What with work and family, it’s getting a bit much for me these days, but I can commit the time and effort to football if I get something back.

“But, if I’m honest, I don’t feel this generation repays that commitment.”

Having been part of the all-conquering AFC Lymington side of the 1990s, Kemp feels privileged to have been playing when football really mattered.

“I was looking at an old photo of Lymington with Wayne Shaw standing next to me and Kevin Green there as well.

“I remember people saying that the year we went unbeaten (1996-97), it was a rubbish league, but then I looked and Eastleigh, Gosport, Totton, Wimborne and Thatcham were all in it.

"They all went on to higher things, but none of them ever did what we did,” he said.

“I’ve gone from that to struggling to get 11 players out.

“Back then we took pride in everything we did - and only my generation will know what I’m talking about.

“We sacrificed stuff to play football and that’s why we’ve got so many good memories.

“I don’t think this generation will have memories like ours.

“It’s more of a hobby for a lot of them now. They only play when they’ve got nothing else to do.”

*More on this story and all the latest regional non-League news in the weekend’s Pink.