Tears for hero Andy booth

Apr 27 2009 By Andrew Hirst

Tears for hero Andy

“I’ve never scored a penalty in my career and I’m not going to start now,” he said.

So, if he’s picked by manager Lee Clark to play on Saturday – Andy and the rest of the team won’t be told until Friday – he’ll have to notch that magical 150th up in open play.

Andy takes it all in his stride – and says his family had a wonderful day on Saturday made all the more special by the fans who stayed in their thousands well after the final whistle to pay tribute to the man they hail as a legend.

Andy’s six-year-old son, Harrison, and two-year-old daughter, Hermione, were Saturday’s mascots.

Andy said: “Although Hermione is too young to understand what Saturday was all about, she was looking forward to being a mascot all week and asked me every day if that was the day.

“It was a magical way to end my playing days.’’

He paid tribute to wife, Cheryl who has been by his side throughout his playing career and mum and dad Ian and Barbara who work behind the scenes on matchdays and have staunchly supported Andy right from his school playing days.

“They have all been there for me during the bad times as well as the good,” said Andy. “Nothing is more important than your family.”

Andy was back at the Galpharm Stadium yesterday for a special game featuring Town legends such as Darren Bullock, Tom Cowan, Rob Edwards, Simon Trevitt and Iain Dunn playing alongside Town supporters.

“I had to manage because they wouldn’t give me a shirt to play,” joked Andy.

Grab a copy of this Friday's Examiner which will include a special FREE 12-page Andy Booth tribute supplement.