Simon was a true legend who will never be forgotten at Brewers

REX Page, in his book ‘Burton Albion, The Complete History,’ says: “Simon Redfern was universally regarded as the best outfield player to pull on an Albion shirt.”

There have been a few very good players come and go since Rex wrote that in 2010, when the Brewers were only one season into life in the Football League, but many older supporters still may not disagree.

Redfern, who played for the club from 1986 to 1997 and completed 457 appearances, tragically took his own life in October 1997, aged 30. He may well have gone on to become the club’s all-time record appearance holder.

“Even now, more than a decade after his tragic and untimely death, he is still revered by supporters,” wrote Rex.

“Redfern was the complete package, a manager’s dream, who was variously a defender of the highest quality, a midfield player who could be as deftly creative as he was ruggedly combative and a forward with a lethal eye for goal. His passing cast a huge shadow over the club.” I realised, last week, that in writing many thousands of words of Burton Albion nostalgia to cover the period of lockdown, that I had not mentioned Redfern. I knew why.

The nature of his death remains something of a taboo subject and there will be people who do not wish to be reminded of it, although we are better at talking about mental health issues now than then.

I was also conscious that much of Redfern’s time as a player came when circumstances had stopped me watching the Brewers. I wish I had seen Redfern play more of those 457 matches.

Anyway, this is a tribute to him and I have leaned on people who did see more of his games, for stories they have told me over the years. Several have showed me, with both sadness and pride, the “number eight” badges that were made to honour Redfern’s memory, badges they always wear on the anniversary of his death.

Ian Hawkins, the Brewers’ ground announcer, wrote an article in the programme to mark the 20th anniversary of Redfern’s death.

That anniversary came when Burton were at home to Ipswich Town in the Championship in 2017. Here’s what Ian wrote: “Results-wise, the 1997-98 season was relatively unremarkable but it was a hugely emotional and difficult season for Albion as the club lost one of its most legendary players in tragic circumstances.

“The word legend is all too easily bandied about these days but Simon Redfern, to all who ever played with him, or watched him play in a Burton Albion shirt, would agree that Simon WAS a legend.