ONE of non-leagues most respected figures is bringing down the curtain on a long and successful career, 15 years after making his debut.

Dan Trenkel played his 669th game when he appeared for Bowers & Pitsea against Hullbridge Sports on the final day of the Essex Senior League season, and it was quite an occasion.

The former Great Wakering Rovers manager lifted the cup at the end of last month having won the division for a third time, a feat only matched by current Braintree Town management team Danny and Nicky Cowley.

And the 32-year-old has now decided to end his senior career, which also saw him turn out for Concord Rangers, Burnham Ramblers, Chelmsford City and Redbridge, netting 166 goals in the process.

But he ends his career at Bowers, having helped them to league glory and an FA Vase semi-final, and said there was no better way to end his playing days.

“I enjoyed every moment I was at Bowers,” he said. “I have so much time for everyone there. The bond in the changing room was incredible and honestly I felt like I was one of the boys on my debut away at Burnham.

“You would struggle meeting a nicer bunch of blokes and I know everyone says that but they and Smallsy (Rob Small) made me love playing football again. Just turning up to training was brilliant which I don't think I've said since my Concord days.

“To be at Bowers in this phase of their development was so exciting as well. The place has so much potential and the people on the committee realise what they need to not only survive but actually challenge at the top end of Ryman One North, and the players should be excited about what lies ahead.”

Trenkel will not play senior football again, although he will be playing for the recently promoted Catholic United in the Olympian first division as looks towards veterans’ football.

He still believes he could play at Ryman level, as Bowers gear up for their first ever year in the Ryman One North, but says he is looking forward to spending more time with his family.

“I could make a case for wanting another crack at Ryman football,” he said. “I know I'm still good enough and I've lost two stone recently so I'm fitter than I have been for years.

“But while the other lads will look at the fixture list with excitement my first thought is looking at the likes of Dereham, Wroxham and Norwich United and dreading the away trips and the Tuesday night slogs to get to games.

“I got a bad hand injury earlier this year and it made me think of life after football and I've become more and more comfortable with the idea of staying at home and helping out my wife more with the kids.

“Playing non-league football with a family is quite selfish and now I want to focus more on my family as they are all growing up fast.”

Trenkel says one avenue he will not go down is a return to management, after ending a four-year spell in charge at Great Wakering between 2011 and 2015.

“No way,” he said. “I see what Rob and Gary (Ansell) go through and I've been there. A manager’s life is 90 per cent organising and stress and 10 per cent enjoyment, and that's even less when you are not winning.

“Honestly I couldn't think of anything worse right now.”

Trenkel spoke highly of Bowers manager Rob Small, who brought him to the club at the end of 2015. And while Small has often turned to Trenkel for advice, the former Great Wakering manager believes the fledgling manager has the talent to go a long way in the game.

“Rob will go on and be a fantastic manager,” he said. “He has so much potential and it's been nice that he has leaned on me at times for chats about certain aspects of management.

“We had a squad of 24 players at the end of the season, all wanting to play and he has managed it really well. To take a perennial no-hoper and take them to league champions and FA Vase semi-finalists in two years is nothing short of a miracle.

“It is no shock to see him linked with jobs like Grays but wherever he ends up someone will have a great manager on their hands. I know he looks at Danny and Nicky Cowley for inspiration and who knows he could go as far as them as he has the right desire for it.”