Hammy"s heroics are honoured

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AFTER a decade of service and with more than 330 appearances to his name, Renfrew"s veteran defender John Hammond was honoured with a testimonial match against Dukla Pumperston at Western Park on Sunday.

A Renfrew XI select side featured some of Renfrew"s most decorated players as Neil Farquharson, Alan Foster and John Peacock all returned to the field.

Billy Peacock and Ian MacLeod, the man who signed Hammond from Petershill in 1999, took their place in the dugout.

Renfrew"s current co-manager Colin Clark also took part as well as Neil Shearer who has partnered Hammond in defence this season.

The celebrity outfit Dukla boasted former Rangers forward John McDonald, former Partick Thistle Chief Gerry Collins and current St Mirren assistant Andy Millen.

The game itself was a less than equal affair, with the Renfrew select running riot in a 6-1 victory.

But the result was second to the recognition of a tireless and dependable servant.

John Hammond has witnessed the magnificent highs and crushing lows during his lengthy spell at Western Park.

The inspirational stopper was a regular in the illustrious 2001 Scottish Cup winning side, but has also experienced relegation and missed out on a league champions medal by the paper-thin margin of goal difference.

Despite a turbulent tenure, Hammond stayed loyal to the Frew to amass an impressive, if unexpected list of achievements.

He said: 'I never really expected to stay here as long as I did. I had a few offers to move on, but I was always happy here.

'Renfrew have always been able to attract players and during my time here, I have had the pleasure of playing with a lot of really great players.

'The highlight for me has to be winning the Scottish Cup. It was great to be a part of that side and the side that almost won the league.

'I appreciate Dukla for coming through and playing, as well as all the past Renfrew players, that meant a lot to me.'

Hammond was in no mood to mention retirement and Frew general manager Dougie Mitchell hopes it stays that way.

He said: 'We would like to entice him to stay on next year. If he wants, he could play on for one or two years more, no problem.

'He deserves it as he has been one of the best defenders in Junior football for a long time now. I have never seen anyone who could do a better man marking job.

'In the year we won the Scottish Cup, we would always identify a danger man and John would deal with him and really that"s one of the reasons we won it that year.'

Renfrew will return to action next against this year"s Scottish Cup finalists Clydebank at Western Park this Saturday.

This article appeared in The Gazette 13 May 09

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