By CHRIS BALFOUR
ANOTHER season has rolled by at Langwarrin Soccer Club and with it possibly the end of a long and distinguished career for one of Langy’s favourite sons, Ben Caffrey.
Saturday (5 September) saw Ben play his 317th game for the blue boys and in front of his family and many friends the team didn’t let him down with a 2-1 win over Doncaster Rovers at Lawton Park.
A fitting finale to a career that has spanned over 25 years, most of them as a Langy boy.
Ben had stints at Moorabbin, Richmond and Bentleigh Greens earlier in his career but always stayed part of the Langwarrin Soccer Club faithful. I guess it would be hard not to with his mum, dad, brother and sister all playing or being involved with Langy for a large part of their lives.
Ben was there at the club during the early 2000s when it enjoyed some of its greatest success culminating in promotion into the First Division. During his time at LSC Ben has scored many goals as a striker and made plenty of friends both on and off the field.
In the latter part of his career the senior coach Gus McLeod found a new position for Caff at the centre of defence. Ben was always cool under pressure and never panicked on the ball, perfect traits for a sweeper.
In his 36th year the sun is setting on the first team career Ben Caffrey, highs and lows, there have been plenty of them but everyone should remember the highs because I reckon there was more of them.
Ben has said that it’s not an official retirement and he will make himself available for selection to Gus and the boys if or when he’s needed. But that’s typical of Ben, never wanting to lose the ball.
