2008/09 Player of the season countdown

#11. Dean Yeoman

Apps: 13; Assists: 1; Clean sheets: 1

The addition of Dean as a regular member of the squad has been most welcome, and long may it continue into 09/10. A dedication to pre-season training highlighted that Dean was really interested this year, he'd overcome his torrid knee injury and he remained solid, dependable and 100% committed no matter where he played on the pitch.

That Jewish has made more than 3 times as many appearances as last season proves that it’s been a better campaign for him personally, having been reduced to just 2 starts in 2007/08.

Dean is probably our one and only player who can play in all the positions on a football pitch. Well, perhaps not up front. But whilst he seems most comfortable across the midfield, it is in goal where Dean has really excelled this season despite only making a handful of appearances between the sticks. An amazing shot stopper, fearless and athletic, he has provided some stiff opposition to Banter’s number 1. Generally though, Dean will find himself out on the wing where he works the line well, arguably better defensively than offensively. His fitness has always been a plus point, and he is not afraid to put his foot in when the going gets tough.

His hard work and short, incisive passing was particularly good at right wing-back in the Sanderstead and Santos (5-1) wins, he made a couple of saving tackles in the home loss to Croydon Postal too which prevented things from being more than a 3-2 deficit and even performed well in an unfavoured central midfield role away to Purley Phoenix in the pouring rain. But his performances as goalkeeper in the new year were sensational. With Wuker having been sent off, a potential suspension on the horizon and his own unavailability too, it allowed Dean to play 4 games in between the sticks. In his first 3 appearances there, he kept a clean sheet and conceding just 4 times. By Banter standards, that's fuck all, in case you’re in any doubt. He made a couple of unbelievable stops in the win over Sovereign, was dependable and solid during his clean sheet with Santos and despite conceding 3 to Sanderstead in late February, made two excellent stops from the Spitfires skipper from close range at 0-0 that kept Banter – albeit briefly – in the game.

Dean’s permanent position next season will depend on various things, but given his versatility, it’s great that he’s been fit and hopefully he’ll play even more next season. As an excellent passer and communicator between the sticks, his goalkeeping skills don’t require a great deal of improvement, though outfield he could develop his attacking play by simply getting forward more and probably opening his mouth, having the same confidence he does in goal. His crossing can be excellent and though his finishing was erratic in that last game of the season, he has the fitness and ability to get into these positions which we'd like to see more of.

Arguably the biggest wind-up merchant in the squad, Jewish's humour is drier than sandpaper and in all likelihood, any conversation you've ever had with him, he was merking you without you even knowing about it.