8:16am Monday 26th July 2010
By Steve Sowden
A CROWD of 6,664 saluted Yeovil Town legend Darren Way on Saturday as the Huish Park hero made his final bow from playing.
Way came on for the last couple of minutes of his benefit game in a highly-entertaining match against a Manchester United XI.
Yeovil ended up winning 3-2, but the scoreline was irrelevant when the main focus of the day was Way.
The former midfielder was forced to retire from playing professionally earlier this year as a result of the injuries he sustained in a horrific road accident in December 2008.
He came close to death in the immediate aftermath of the accident and the fact that he pulled through and fought back is testimony to his never-say-die attitude – a characteristic which made such an immense presence on the pitch for Yeovil during their glory years of FA Trophy, Nationwide Conference and League Two success.
The Huish Park crowd rose as one when Way came on for the final few minutes of his benefit match on Saturday. An emotional moment for all concerned.
Only moments before Yeovil manager Terry Skiverton, Way’s best mate, also entered the fray for what will probably be his last appearance in a Glovers’ shirt.
It was a great way to end what had been a good match and a more than useful workout for Skiverton’s side as they prepare for the start of the 2010-11 campaign.
The young United side, made up of talented 17 and 18-year-olds, took a first-half lead through Brazilian Rodrigo Possebon.
But Yeovil struck back brilliantly at the start of the second period with three goals inside the opening five minutes.
Jean-Paul Kalala levelled the score with an absolute beauty, Sam Williams then nodded home a second and trialist Adam Virgo added a third.
United got a goal back later on, but the day certainly belonged to Way, who is now a coach at Huish Park.
The former midfielder thanked everyone for their support along what has been a difficult road for him during the past 18 months, but he pledged his undiluted support to Skiverton in the aim of bringing more success to Huish Park.
Every club needs a Darren Way – and Yeovil have the real thing!
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