Harleston Town's former Diss Town defender Mark Shadrack selects his All-Time XI

liam.apicella@iliffepublishing.co.uk

Published: 09:00, 23 April 2020

After starting out with Dereham Town, Mark Shadrack has gone on to play for Diss Town, Wroxham and Mildenhall Town.

More recently the centre-back has been turning out for Hadley & Ottaway Anglian Premier Division side Harleston Town, whom he helped to win the Thurlow Nunn League First Division Knockout Cup in 2018/19.

But who makes Shadrack's All-Time XI of his team-mates from down the years? Read on to find out.

Football action from Harleston Town FC vs Downham - Mark Shadrack..Picture: Mark Bullimore. (33753986)

GK: Matty Webster

Matty was a typical goalkeeper – crazy! I have played with some decent 'keepers but he was always going to be my pick.

He may have been small and someone the opposition thought they could get at, but he kept us in so many games at Diss.

I remember one in particular at Wisbech when we were near the bottom and they were at the top. They pummelled us, but Matty kept them out and we managed to win 1-0.

Diss, Norfolk. Football action from Diss Town FC vs Gorleston - Matty Webster punches the ball away as Luke Catchpole Tom Deller and Stefan Gilding look on. (33756039)

LCB: Brendan Foley

I spent a few seasons with Brendan at Diss and he is probably the hardest footballer I ever played with.

He had a great left foot and doesn't get the credit he deserves for the ability he had.

Brendan had a lot of experience and was one of the players we all looked up to at Diss.

Diss, Norfolk. Football action from Diss Town FC vs Felixstowe and Walton United - Brendan Foley. (33756128)

CB: Graham Challen

I was 17 when I broke into the team at Dereham and Graham was one of the more senior players – I learned a lot from him.

He was a proper leader and did everything properly on and off the pitch.

He got the best out of himself and it was no surprise he went on to be part of a very good Wroxham team.

RCB: Matt Howard

Mr Reliable. I spent a season playing alongside Matt at Harleston and I cannot remember him making a mistake.

Football action from Harleston v Lakenheath - Matt Howard (H) and Kelvin Enaro (L)..Picture by Mark Bullimore Photography. (33756153)

He maybe goes under the radar a little bit, but he was good at everything. He was strong, good in the air and on the ball. A fantastic mentality and it was a shame to see him move out of the area.

He is one of those players that you realise how good he is when you play alongside him.

LW: Robbie Sweeney

Robbie was unbelievable at Wroxham. He was so technical and had this ability to run matches from out on the left wing.

To look at he is quite small and slight, but opposition teams could not lay a hand on him.

FOOTBALL - Wrexham v Stowmarket in the FA Vase..Pictured: Robbie Sweeney....PICTURE: Mecha Morton .... (33756179)

He is doing well at Stowmarket now but could probably play higher.

CM: Sam Borrer

The most athletic and physicality fit player I have ever played with. He covers every blade of grass and has a real engine on him.

Sam could play higher but the team means a lot to him. He doesn't mind where he is playing as long as the group he is part of is good.

He has a fantastic attitude and there is no arrogance about him.

25/01/2020. Harleston, UK. ..Football action from Harleston v Wroxham - Norfolk Senior Cup quarter-final - Borrer..Photo by Mark Bullimore. (33756262)

CM: Adam Smith

I've known Adam pretty much all my life. We are the same age and he went to Norwich at a similar time I was at Ipswich.

We have probably played against each other more times than we have played together, but when we were at Wroxham you could see how much quality he had.

He was the best central midfield player in the area for a while – he could do everything with that left foot.

RW: Sam Bryant

During the season we got promoted with Diss, Sam was one of our best players.

Hadleigh (B&W) v Diss Town. Diss number11 Sam Bryant in action.. (33757736)

Technically he was very with the ball and was probably as quick with it as he was running without it.

He could have easily played at a higher level but he suffered with injuries. Every time he got on a good run of form it felt like he was struck down by an injury.

AM: Graham Barrett

A proper Dereham legend that had this knack of popping up with goals.

Whoever you speak to at Dereham will tell you how much of a top bloke he is – a proper club-man. But he is not in the team just because of that – he was a great player with a great attitude.

CF: Nathan Stone

I have played against Gangles a lot down the years and I still have a few of the scars!

Football action from Harleston Town v Fakenham Town - Nathan Stone scores the first goal. ..Picture: Mark Bullimore Photography. (33757766)

He has a superb work ethic and is someone you want in your team. For a defender like me, he will turn a bad ball forward into a good one.

He is quick, strong and can hold the ball up. His game intelligence is spot on and I hated playing against him. Thankfully we are on the same team now!

CF: Danny Wright

We went to school together at Attleborough – Danny is a couple of years older than me.

I remember when he came to Dereham from Attleborough, a few people wondered why we had got him in.

Histon, Cambridgeshire, Football action from the FA Cup first round proper of Histon FC vs Swindon Town FC Histon celebrate their second goal pictured is Danny Wright 23 and Jamie Barker 11. 8th Nov 2008. (33757823)

But he believed in his own ability and everyone at our level should tip their hat to him. What he has done by climbing up the leagues is superb.

Danny was a real handful – big, strong and quick – and he used his attributes well.

All-Time XI Series (click on the individual to view their team)

Sam Holmes, Gordon Reed, Steve Holder, Brady Stone, Bill Flynn, Martin Westcott, Josh Pope, Shaun Avis, Michael Shinn, Craig Nurse, Alex Archer, Luke Butcher, Paul Musgrove, Danny White, Jarid Robson, Gareth Simpson, Sam Reed, Olly Hughes

Football Liam Apicella