Former West End Rovers defender Dennis (Bull) Bean sr died at the weekend at the age of 86.

During his heyday, from the late 1930s to the late 1940s, Bean was regarded as one of the toughest full-backs in local football.

Bean played his entire career with the West Enders, aside from the occasion when he played in the Governor's Cup back in 1943 for the combined Bermuda Militia Artillery (BMA) and Bermuda Militia Infantry (BMI) against the HM Malabar from Dockyard who were the premier team on the Island at the time.

Leroy (Tubby) Richardson was a member of the select and clearly remembers that occasion.

"It was April 23rd, 1943, and we played against Malabar at Prospect in the finals.

"The game ended 1-1 in regulation time and then we scored a goal in each period of extra-time before winning the contest by a 3-1 margin. St Clair (Andy) Smith netted all three goals, " said Richardson.

"Dennis played his usual solid game in defence and we all had to play well to beat the fellows from England who all came here with great reputations.

"The week prior to that clash we drew 1-1 against another team from Dockyard, but we came back to win the most important one."

According to Richardson, Bean was a dedicated player who Rovers could always count on.

When it came around to picking players for the Governor's Cup, Bean was among those guaranteed a position in defence, said Richardson.

"He was as tough as they came, that's for sure," added Richardson.

While performing for the Rovers, Bean played alongside such formidable players as Gladston Burcher, Tudor and Bully Lambert, Vivien Goodchild, Egbert Bascome, Ray Horton, Rudolph Philpott and former Bermuda finance minister Eugene Cox who was the team's striker for many years.

"He was indeed a great football player and a fine person," said Richardson.