BOVEY Tracey AFC were led to the SW Peninsula League Premier East title this season by club stalwart Cliff Walters.

The Moorlanders have enjoyed a fantastic campaign and the silverware had been there for the taking for months now.

Walters made his final bow in the Bovey red on Saturday, April 25, receiving a fitting send off and a guard of honour from his teammates in the win over Ilminster Town.

After the referee blew the full-time whistle and amidst the title celebrations, the fullback reminisced on his time at the club.

“I remember meeting Lew (Lewis Perring) here when I was four or five years old and we’re still best mates now,” he told the Mid-Devon Advertiser.

Walters continued, “I’ve been here ever since and I’d never want to play for any other club. This is my club, it always has been and it always will be.

“I won’t be a stranger. I’ll still be around to cheer the lads on going forward.”

He has dedicated more than 25 years of his life to the team and so its no wonder that 1st XI manager Ben Gerring labelled him as “Mr. Bovey himself.”

Gerring was “delighted to be able to give him this unbelievable farewell” and what a way it is for Walters to go out, captaining his beloved Bovey to a title win and onto step-five football for 2026/27.

In the club’s matchday programme, Cliff wrote that “My body is telling me its time,” also noting that he’ll now have “a bit more golf and family time” to enjoy.

The aforementioned Perring was one of a few to pen heartfelt messages to the departing one-club man. He said: “It’s hard to imagine Bovey without Cliff.

“Cliff, you’ve been an incredible teammate, friend and club legend. Thank you for everything. Enjoy retirement!”

As Walters and everyone else in attendance at the Western Counties Roofing Ground rejoiced in the club’s success on Saturday, it was clear to see the adoration that everyone has for him.

“Cliff carries so much weight around this place, everybody loves him and I’m just to pleased that he’s been a part of the journey this year,” doted Gerring.

When Walters was substituted during the Ilminster clash, it was Lewis Perring who took on the armband and with him there next year, Bovey Tracey AFC will still have at least one of their own on the field.

It is goodbye to “Mr. Bovey” but not before him and the team look to complete a historic treble in the coming weeks.