As the Supremo was optimistically putting the finishing touches to the organisation of the recent Annual Awards Dinner, a chance to celebrate The Great Escape as well as looking forward excitedly to next season, the postman delivered some bad news. On the eve of the new season, one of Logica FC's most popular and most talented players had decided to call it a day.

Paul Mainwaring made his debut back in August 1998, and six seasons of commited and skillful displays, mainly at left-back, have seen him rack up 68 domestic appearances for the club along with a great deal of respect and admiration. The Captain can also boast an impressive haul of 23 World Cup games, and his experience, ability and perceptive reading of the game will be sorely missed both on and off the field.

In a rueful letter to the gaffer that was not quite in the Buck league, Mainers explained the reasons behind this difficult decision.

"A combination of weekend domestic responsibilities, athletics commitments and an impending move to the States has led to this decision which I have ummed and aarghed about all summer. It has not been an easy one to make." But it was characteristic of the wholehearted Oswestrian that he was not prepared to compromise. "Last year I just made myself available for the odd game and was in and out of the squad and don't want to be in that situation again. I either need to be fully committed or not at all, and I can't offer my full commitment."

Equally typically, Mainers had timed his announcement unselfishly with a view to causing minimal upset to the club. "In order as to not disrupt pre-season planning untowardly and as I cannot now attend the Annual Awards Dinner on Wednesday where I was originally planning to announce this news, I am sadly emailing you to announce my retirement from Logica FC."

And Mainwaring seemed genuinely upset at no longer having to traipse down to Riverside Lands on a Sunday morning. "Needless to say, I will very much miss playing with you lot, and have really enjoyed my Logica FC career." And with a Buckian finale, he added his opinion that "the current squad has the potential to get promotion this year, and I will be watching with interest. No doubt I will be down at the old Stade to take in a couple of games at some point."

We hope so, and would also prompt the 'Gentle Giant' to bring his boots with him if he does. That might not be completely out of the question, as we sense there might be an itch somewhere near the opponents goal that still needs scratching. "The fact that I haven't troubled the Logica scorers was yet another factor I had to take into consideration before my retirement! Its a strange statistic, as I have always scored the odd goal every season for my previous clubs. Perhaps I will bring my boots down to the Stade and come on as a ringer up front when a certain hamstrung striker is forced to make way..."

And unlike the recent decision of one of his heroes', there was another chink of light sneaking through an early door that Mainers had left just ajar. "I am taking the exact opposite approach to Paul Scholes, however, and am leaving the door open for international football. If selected...!!"

I'm sure all English players and supporters would hope to see Mainwaring in Germany next summer, especially after his significant contribution as Captain in Utrecht. But we also hope to see him on a Sunday morning or two before that.

In any event, we will take this opportunity to thank Paul for his unstinting efforts and commitment to the club, and not least his support to the Supremo. His footballing abilities will be very hard to replace, but we wish him and his family all the very best for the future.