DAVE Murrey is happy to sit on the bench nowadays because he’s “got to get up early in the morning for golf”.

Murrey, who was 63 yesterday, used to play snooker at the long, gone Vosper Thornycroft Sports & Social Club.

He then signed for Woolston & District Trades & Labour Club A.

“I’d known Terry (Trueick) for years before that,” he said. “Terry was a young 16-year-old wearing tee-shirts and banging balls in all over the place.

“Me and Terry have had a few fallings out over things but I’ve got to say Terry’s a good old mate of mine and we shake hands and bury the hatchet and that’s the end of it.

“It’s Terry’s team, no doubt about that. We all love him to bits but sometimes he says things that are a little bit controversial.

“But we wouldn’t change him for the world. He’s the backbone of the team.”

Murrey revealed his game is the complete opposite to his skipper’s ‘go for everything’ style.

“He likes an open game,” explained Murrey. “He calls me BOF, boring old f***.

“I like to play safe and then take my opportunity and then box up again. But Terry can not handle players like that. He’s never been any different.”

Now retired, Murrey has devoted his leisure time to golf. His family bought him the full kit for his 50th birthday.

“My first love now is golf,” declared the 17-handicapper. “I’ve taken a step back from snooker. If he needs me, I’ll turn up.”

While 18-year-old Sam Barton was sipping his shandy, Trueick, still chasing a first ever winner’s trophy, recalled the 1982 pairs final.

He and Alan Roberts lost to Bernard Browne and Harry Channell, from Romsey Conservative Club, at Bitterne Conservative Club.

“It was a foregone conclusion that we lost,” admitted Trueick. “But, there you go, it was an experience.

“Alan is a great strategic player whereas I’m no good at playing snookers.

“There was so many people there, it did faze me. Had I been able to play without looking around the room, then maybe we would have won it.”

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