HANWORTH Villa have paid tribute to keeper Terry Buss, who last week left the club after almost 500 games spanning two decades.
Buss, the nephew of legendary former Hanworth Villa manager Tony Buss, who passed away last year, moved up a level by joining Ryman Division One side Chipstead.
According to Bobby Dawson, who succeeded Tony Buss in the Rectory Meadow hot-seat, his former keeper will be more than comfortable at that level – and beyond.
He said: “Terry has been the best keeper in the Combined Counties League by a country mile for years but has stayed with us through loyalty.
“Anybody who has played at this level could tell you of his quality, and he could be one of the best keepers in the Ryman League too.
“What he has done for this club is phenomenal. We always said if he ever moved on to bigger and better things he would owe this club nothing, and he doesn't.”
Former Brentford keeper Barry Marchena turned out for the Villains last week, but reserve stopper Louis Dixon was handed the number one jersey for Saturday's FA Vase win over Wembley and kept a clean sheet.
Dawson added: “Louis came in at a very difficult stage and it could have been a tricky situation, but he did very well and it ended up being a good thing for him.”
For all that, Villa are looking to bring in another senior keeper as they look to keep pace with the Combined Counties high-fliers.
Chairman Gary Brunning said: “We'll have keepers queueing around the corner now, there's been a lot of interest. They never bothered before as they knew they wouldn't get a game ahead of Terry.”
It is the second time in as many months Villa have lost a star of last season's record-breaking FA Cup run to a higher level club after striker Lawrie Shennan joined AFC Hayes.
But secretary Dave Brown added: “It's a tribute to how far this club has come and the players we are producing that teams from leagues above are wanting to sign them.”
Anthony Oaks gave Villa the lead approaching half-time on Saturday after Levi King dummied Joe Johnson's cross, and provider turned scorer just before the hour mark when Johnson finished from a Lee Morley centre at the far post.
The Villains, who visit Epsom & Ewell in the league tomorrow, have been drawn to play at south coast side Littlehampton in the second round on Saturday, November 17.
The Sussex League Division Two side, who play one level below Villa, have some pedigree in the competition, having reached the semi-finals 20 years ago.
