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Redfern made his debut for Burton
Albion in the halcyon days of the 1986-87 season, the year Albion
reached the FA Trophy final at Wembley, in which his brother Dave
Redfern played. Apart from a brief spell away from Eton Park, Simon
dedicated his career to Burton Albion, making 456 appearances, and
scoring 86 goals. His favoured position was in the thick of the
midfield action, although he had also in the past performed as a
forward, and in recent seasons had been asked to play as a central
defender, a role which he fulfilled to his usual high standards.
Redfern's dedication and commitment on the pitch, as well as his
good nature and approachability off it made him a favourite with
supporters- many of whom saw him as a friend as well as a
footballing hero.
A widely respected figure in Midlands non-league
circles, Redfern was the most consistent performer for the Brewers
season after season- why he never made it into league football is a
mystery.
At the start of the 1997/98 season Redfern missed
two matches to go on holiday with his wife, and subsequently lost
the captain's armband which he had made his own during a long career
at Eton Park. However, he continued to play a pivotal role in a team
which, after a disappointing start to the season, had begun to show
signs of the promise which made them pre-season favourites for the
Dr Marten's League Championship. It was a beautiful sunny October
day when Redfern put in a typically gutsy display which ( while the
physical side of his game didn't exactly endear him to the home fans
that day!!) helped Albion to a 2-1 victory at Bromsgrove, which
lifted the Brewers to seventh position in the league, and, at the
end of the match received the acclaim of 300 travelling Albion fans.
None of us at the Victoria Ground on that Saturday could have ever
imagined we would be watching Simon's last game of football.
The body of Simon Redfern was
discovered at his home in Duffield, Derby, in the early hours of
Monday 20th October 1997, after apparently committing suicide late
the previous night.
Fans laid flowers on the Eton Park
pitch in memory of one of the clubs greatest ever players, and the
first league match at Eton Park after Redfern's death, against
Cambridge City was an emotional occasion. "Redders" as he was
affectionately known, will be sorely missed by all Albion fans who,
having seen so many "prima-donnas" and journeymen pass through Eton
Park down the years, appreciated Redfern not just for his
unquestionable ability as a footballer, but for the courage and
commitment he displayed every time he pulled on an Albion shirt.
Simon seemed to care as much as the
supporters themselves- he wore the Black and Amber with pride. The
shirt Redders always wore remained unworn for most of the 1997-98
season as a mark of respect, but whoever wears it in future, in the
hearts of Burton Albion fans, no player will ever be able to take
Simon Redfern's place in the number eight shirt.
Original article courtesy of Brewersnet.com |
Simon
Redfern
