YOU would do well to find a player more synonymous with a football club than Jamie Brewerton is to Rhyl.

The no-nonsense defender has been a hugely influential figure at the Corbett Sports Stadium for nearly 15 years, and he said an emotional farewell to the home Lilies’ faithful during their 2-1 Huws Gray Alliance victory over Caersws.

Since making his debut as a 19-year-old in 1999, Brewerton has achieved an enormous amount and can walk away from the game knowing he has contributed greatly to the history of Rhyl FC in an extremely positive way.

His leadership skills on the pitch have been a fantastic asset down the years, while any centre forward that has played against him will tell you what a commanding presence he is physically throughout the entire 90 minutes of a contest.

He was part of the Lilies’ squad that famously lifted the Welsh Premier League title back in 2004 before departing for Bangor City, where he claimed another championship in addition to three Welsh Cups during a prolific spell for the club.

While playing for your fiercest rivals may tarnish the legacy of some players, the same cannot be said of Brewerton, with his commitment to the cause making him an instant hero for their fanbase during a relationship which has stood the test of time.

Injuries have been a frustrating element to his game in recent seasons and perhaps the time to call it a day is the right one, but his influence has also been felt in the dugout as part of Matthew Jones’ backroom staff which will stand Brewerton in good stead as he pursues a possible managerial career in the future.

Having such an experienced presence around a relatively young squad has been invaluable and a massive part of the turnaround in fortunes at the club, and it would be wise of Jones and the Rhyl board to keep the cult figure around for as long as possible to maximise their chance of success.

One thing is for sure, Brewerton owes the club absolutely nothing and can say that he has given every last ounce of energy on the pitch every time he has put on the white shirt, and you can see the respect he has earned from his colleagues when you see the comments made by director of football Mark Connolly last week in relation to his retirement.

The centre-half leaves big shoes that need to be filled, but the second half of the season shows there is plenty to be excited about with the current squad ahead of what promises to be a big summer.