Dave King reflects on career milestone (From Surrey Comet)

Dave King reflects on career milestone

11:55am Tuesday 26th January 2010 in

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In this time of football mercenaries and players changing clubs at the drop of a hat, loyalty seems to have become something of a dirty word in the football world.

But step forward Dave King, who at the weekend racked up his 200th appearance between the sticks for Tooting & Mitcham.

The Terrors stopper, who reached his milestone in the 2-1 win at Aveley (Tom Graves and an own goal for Tooting), first arrived at Imperial Fields back in the summer of 2006.

And the 33-year-old reveals the decision to stay has been an easy one.

King says: “I was bought to the club when Billy and George took over and because they drafted in so many new players a real bond developed between us.

“I have never been one to move from club to club and it has always been my view that if you like the management and the way the club is set up why leave?

“We have a great coaching team, we have a good bunch of players and everybody gets on really well.

“Of course it also helps that the club has done so well over recent years - if you are in a successful side you want to stay and there have been some real highlights.”

That would be promotion to the Ryman Premier, various local cup triumphs and even reaching the FA Cup First Round this season when they faced Stockport County.

And King, who racked up 128 consecutive appearances before missing his first game, can even claim a goal of his own.

The giant keeper was on target against Kingstonian back in December 2007, a moment he remembers well.

King adds: “It was a strange goal that is for sure!

“It was a free-kick in our half and I just smashed it up field as far as I could.

“It bounced, caught the keeper out and went straight in.

“I remember being mobbed by the players - the weird thing was the stadium announcer said it was Dean Hamlin who had scored and neither of us had any idea why he said that.”

The former Thamesmead Town, Hastings and Hendon keeper has no intention of quitting just yet.

And with the Terrors currently sat in the play-off places, who can blame him?

King reveals: “I have always been the type of player that if I can get out on the pitch I will be there.

“As long as I’m still enjoying it then I will keep doing it and this season is a great opportunity.

“The league is so tight and we have a great chance.

“Our away form is a lot better than our home form - I do not know why that is but if we can get that sorted then there is no reason why we can’t make a run at it.”

D.O.B: 9/3/76 Place of Birth: Lewisham Occupation: Accounts manager for law firm in City of London Tooting & Mitcham debut: 19/8/06 v Metropolitan Police Notable: Awarded Tooting & Mitcham’s Player of the Year for the 2007/8 season