It’s got to a point where the phrase ‘the word legend is an overused one in football, but this guy really is a legend’ is now a cliche, but this guy really is a legend.
Dave Tarpey, scorer of ‘that’ viral goal for Maidenhead United has announced his retirement from football in an emotional Twitter post after rupturing his ACL playing for Marlow.
Tarpey – who scored 44 goals as Maidenhead earned what was an unlikely promotion to the Vanarama National League in 2017 – wrote: “I am gutted to be writing this but after scan results have shown I have ruptured my ACL with other ligament damage I have decided the time is right to hang up my boots.
From starting to play football at five years old to ending at 35 I have experienced everything in football, three promotions, two ACL injuries and one fantastic FA Cup run with with some goalscoring records broken in there as well. At the age of 27 my childhood dream became a reality when I became a professional football for Barnet and that memory will live with me forever.”
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As well as Barnet and Maidenhead, the striker turned out for Bracknell Town, Basingstoke Town and Woking as well as spells with Farnborough and Hampton & Richmond Borough among others.
The response on social media to Tarpey’s news has been overwhelming with supporters and former team mates rushing to thank ‘Tarps’. Summed up very nicely by Barnet fan Jim Kavanagh: “You read the replies here and it’s basically everyone thanking him for different greatest goals they’ve ever seen. Some players score great goals. Some players are great goal-scorers. Very very rarely it’s both at the same time.”
Former Maidenhead strike partner Sean Marks wrote: “My little man, an honour it was to share the pitch and the games together in my most favourite period of a strike partnership in my career!!! Happy retirement geez.”
Richard Cracknell: “Dave – Bloody well done mate! To this day I dream of you coming back to Farnborough FC to once again float-on-air and score fantastic goals. You have been a true entertainer and I hope your injuries all work out well for you. Legend.”
Mark Ashby: “Absolutely gutted for you, but what a career you have had. We Marlow are all grateful for your contribution to last season’s promotion. All the best on your next journey, and hope to see you back at the Alfred Davis Memorial Ground.”
For many supporters, particularly Maidenhead United fans, there is a simple answer to the question: ‘Best player your club ever had?’ – we here at Football in Berkshire would like to wish ‘Tarps’ a very happy retirement.
