TITLE-winner, assistant manager, player-coach, goalkeeper, even plumber – Paul Gazzard has got through more hats in his Bashley career than Tommy Cooper used in his famous sketches.

But the dependable defender, captain of Bashley’s championship-winning side of 2006-07, revealed a bout of shyness nearly prevented a glorious decade in the yellow and black.

Gazzard’s memories of cruising to the league crown by 28 points, setting a Southern League points record, may never have come to fruition as the fans’ favourite left the Bashley car park for the very first time.

Gazzard, who had a testimonial against a Lymington & New Milton XI earlier this month, revealed: “The first time I went along to Bashley, I had been invited by a mate of mine, Mark Jones.

“I turned up and sat in my car but Mark didn’t show and I just sat and watched the lads training for a bit.

“I was too shy and nervous to go and join in so, in the end, I just drove home.

“The manager at the time, Barry Blankley, rang me and said he wanted to see what I could do. I suppose it is a good job he made that call.”

Bash supporters will no doubt agree as Gazzard became part of the club’s folklore in a career that has seen him play every position including goalkeeper last season, keeping a clean sheet in a 1-0 win over Stourbridge.

But the Bashley legend, often found at the ground with toolbag in hand when the showers stop working, insists nothing can replicate the memory of lifting the Southern League Division One trophy six years ago.

Gazzard added: “There have been so many highs and lows but, for me, it has to be the title-winning season.

“I don’t think many people get to experience that feeling in their careers.

“We absolutely smashed it and that makes it stand out. It was a massive achievement that will stay with me forever.”

Bashley’s title heroes, only missing Chris Knowles who now lives in Australia, oozed class with a 7-3 win in the testimonial.

And the moment of the night came when Gazzard stepped up to take a penalty against Bashley goalkeeping coach Stewart Kearn, only to see his fierce effort tipped over the crossbar.

After some gentle persuasion from both sets of players, the referee allowed Gazzard to retake the spot-kick which he tucked into his usual spot to the right of the veteran keeper.

On the penalty, Gazzard said: “At Lymington & New Milton, Leigh Phillips always took the penalties and he told me to just put the laces through it and go down the middle.

“I thought that would work as keepers usually dive one way or the other but Kearnsy, being the old fella he is, just stood down the middle!”