Good post, Derek.
As I've said, Denis was one of my heroes, one of my first. I was only a kid but I knew he was a bit special. I don't think I exagerate by saying he's one of the greatest full backs the game has seen, and that's reflected in his success.
My favourite Denis-memory is of me, just a nipper, hanging from the fence at the front of the Chaddy end and watch him fly down the right wing, towards me. He knocked a great cross into the box, on the run, and then ran full pelt straight into the fence, almost knocking me off. Before running off, he gave me a slight wave. I was stupidly chuffed.
He was the sort of player more players should be, a true pro. I know from my dad, who often saw the players out drinking during that era, that Denis very seldom drunk and was usually sat quietly with an orange juice and that he was as amiable a fella as Derek describes. I'm not saying players should never touch a drop, but Denis deserved every bit of his success.