Dean Bertenshaw cracks 400 games with Hawkesbury City

At 35 years of age Dean has appeared in twenty one seasons for the club along with his 200 goals. As a junior Dean played for local club London Berries and then went on to represent Blacktown and Penrith in the Super Youth League.
 Dean has set an example for his young peers within the Hawkesbury community setting this  amazing achievement, his current coach Gary Lewis says he is a major role model to this club.
?He has inspired the younger players to play well, he is a great individual one that I hope can continue his involvement with this club?.
Dean is delighted with the direction the club is moving in stating that with the professional staff along with the sensational local youth recruitment Hawkesbury has a bright future.
?We have everything at this club that a player needs, Gary Lewis our current coach has been brilliant holding 30 youngsters in what is a 35 man squad, and we have professional fitness trainers and a very good home ground in Benson Lane Field?.
Dean has played for many years and has achieved many highs with the club; in 1997 Dean scored 27 goals for the season including a five goal stand against Hajduk.
However despite this enormous achievement Dean said that his most memorable and proud moment was Captaining his side in the 2005 Grand Final defeat to Gladesville.
?Making the Grand Final as Captain was a special day for me and the Club I love this club we have good characters here we have a well based community who love football, this club has a future and I am so delighted to be celebrating this milestone with the Hawkesbury club?.
Hawkesbury are sitting in finals contention for the 2009 season and Dean believes his side have the capabilities to pose a threat with the youthful squad stepping up and playing some good quality football.
?We have the opportunity to do well this year I am confident with our style of football and our coach Gary Lewis is always in complete control and is a great leader for this Club?. Hawkesbury will be hoping they can make a finals appearance as Dean stated that at the end of the 2009 season he will be hanging up his boots.
When asked about his future involvement within the club he said that he will always be a part of the Hawkesbury set up. ?I don?t know about coaching maybe in the future but I want to stay in the background and ensure that the Club is always stable.
?I am delighted with the local clubs the recruitment system we have here is bringing some outstanding talent through to our State League side, its a good feeling when players come back to play for this club, everyone enjoys playing for the Club because of the great community and club we uphold?. Dean Bertenshaw has achieved a sensational milestone and will be considered one of Hawkesbury?s best ever players.
-By Johnny Casni