made 15 appearances and scoring two goals in what remained of the 1976–77 season He flourished under Bill Dodgin's management and became a stalwart in the Brentford defence for the next four seasons, assuming the captaincy and forming partnerships with other centre backs Paul Shrubb, Nigel Smith and Danis Salman. Kruse averaged 42 appearances a season and helped the club to promotion to the Third Division in the 1977–78 season. His performances during the 1979–80 season won him the club's Player of the Year award. Kruse was out of favour under new manager Fred Callaghan during the 1981–82 season and made just one appearance before joining Fourth Division strugglers on loan Northampton Town in February 1982. Kruse rejected a potential permanent transfer to the County Ground due to wage concerns. He left Brentford at the end of the season, after making 201 appearances and scored 12 goals in just over five years at Griffin Park. Barnet Kruse dropped into non-League football to sign for Alliance Premier League club Barnet in 1982. He made 31 appearances and scored one goal before retiring at the end of the 1982–83 season. Differences with manager Barry Fry saw Kruse turn his back on the game at age 29. Personal life During his time at Brentford, Kruse commuted to the town from his Midlands home with David McKellar and picked up Jim McNichol and Bob Booker on the way. After retiring from football, Kruse settled in Hitchin and became a builder. He retired in 2022. Career statistics Honours Brentford Football League Fourth Division fourth-place promotion: 1977–78 Individual Torquay United Player of the Year: 1975–76 Brentford Supporters' Player of the Year: 1979–80 Brentford Players' Player of the Year: 1979–80 References 1953 births Living people English footballers Leicester City F.C. players Mansfield Town F.C. players Torquay United F.C. players Brentford F.C. players Northampton Town F.C. players English Football League players People from Arlesey Arlesey Town F.C. players Barnet F.C. players National League (English football) players Association football central defenders Footballers from Bedfordshire