MALCOLM Fretter says he has very fond memories after ending a 50-year stint as secretary of Vale of White Horse Primary Schools’ FA.

Having taken on the role in September 1966, Fretter has overseen an extraordinary expansion of the organisation.

It has grown from running just two annual competitions per year for local schools to approximately 15, for boys and girls, today.

In addition to his role as secretary, Fretter also served as treasurer for 44 years and provided all the administrative support for the running of the successful District representative team.

As a result, he has seen the development of many local players who have gone on to enjoy successful professional careers, including ex-Sunderland, Stoke City and Oxford United midfielder Dean Whitehead, Scunthorpe United’s Jack King and Matt Taylor, who played for West Ham and Portsmouth.

“I can bore people to death saying ‘I saw him play when he was young’,” Fretter said.

“I think I’ve been lucky to have seen so many great players through the years.

“We had some great players who went on to make it in the professional game, but we also played against some great future talents – Gary Speed was a wonderfully skilful player, Michael Owen and Ian Rush also.

“I think I must have seen Wayne Rooney at some point as well, but if I did he didn’t make much of an impression.”

But despite the years of dedication he has put into his role, Fretter feels ready to relinquish responsibility.

“After a while you get to the stage where you feel your work is done,” he said.

“It was a lot of hard work but I enjoyed it thoroughly.

“For me, the main benefit was the enjoyment that the children got out of playing the game.”