CANADA-BASED ex-Pinewood player Michael ‘Moose’ Mercieca read a moving letter to Don Werner at his bedside shortly before his death.....here is an extract.

"AS MY time in England comes to an end, I need to write to you. You have always been so consummately cool about all matters, judo and non-judo. Your words of ‘cool heads prevail’ rings in my ears, Whilst Michael Mercieca was born August 1961, ‘Moose’ was born September 1972, the day I walked into Bracknell Sports Centre. That’s when my life truly began.

Your impact on my life and others’ will continue long after we have left this mortal world. Your dynasty and legacy is the stuff of legend and will be talked about long after the crowds stop shouting our names.

I was nobody until I met you. I was a scared little kid heading nowhere. I was crying inside. I was never good enough, always bullied at school, always picked on but never picked for any team.

Then you came along. I wasn’t the most popular kid at Bracknell Judo Club (largely because I did everything you told me to do). But you showed belief in me, gave me the confidence I needed. You always said ‘work harder than your opponent. Do your steady work – running three times per week.’ Remember those Saturdays when we would run the track then do sprints against each other followed by weights? I still do those sets. Incidentally, I ran my old teenage training route in Priestwood the other day, and did it in the same time 35 years later.

I remember clawing my way through the ranks, passing Gerard Taylor, Peter Fricker, Tristan Greatrex and finally the top guy, Derek Patterson. I ranked so far down the pecking order but I did my roadwork, I did my push-ups, sit-ups, squats and crabs twice a day as you instructed.

I always went running on Christmas Day and did my exercises because you said ‘your opponent will be sitting down eating Christmas pudding.’ I remember driving to championships in your MG Midget convertible. I was so scared, I didn’t know what to say, but I was so proud to be there, fighting for Bracknell, fighting for you. I felt so safe and cared for and so empowered.

I was always scared of losing and failing, but most of all scared of letting you down. I wanted to be the best judoka ever at Bracknell and Pinewood. I wanted to be your MVP – Most Valuable Player." Read the full letter in this week's Bracknell News.