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SEASON 2004-05
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2004-05 SEASON REPORT When I was driving to the Coldlands game I was amazed to think it was the last match of another season. It doesn’t seem long ago that Grahams 4 goals won us the 1st game of the season at Knowle Dragons. I think there are several aspects of this season that make me think it was a success. Yet there are also 1 or 2 “what ifs”? A couple of “maybes” and even a few “if only’s”. I take you back to our 11-1 defeat by Highgate on the last day of last season and I asked myself if the team should continue. Well, certainly whether I should continue with it. We were a “nice” team who rotated the squad to give everybody a game but we were never going to beat any of the good sides. We had 18 players and only a handful that could really cope with the level we were playing in. I left that 11-1 defeat thinking “NO MORE”. From that moment on the best 11 would play. Substitutes may get on but were never guaranteed it and I promised that I would walk away from every game thinking we had given it our best shot. This of course meant great changes. The 1st job was to cut the squad to a manageable 14 or 15. 8 went in total in the shake up. 5 through choice. The unfortunate departures of Sonny, Carl and particularly Rob meant we had a lot of work to do to compete in the Division. The additions of Mark, Matt , Alex and Doyle bought the squad up to 15 and after a decent pre-season we were ready (just about) to go. Can I just say that I think the Division, as a whole this year was a lot stronger than what it was last year. Although last year had 1 or 2 very good teams the strength in depth this year meant that 7 or 8 teams would be going for promotion. Even after a bright start to the season I didn’t ever realistically believe we could be one of them. It was too soon with so many new lads. Early in the season we had some encouraging wins. Grahams goal blitz had fired us to a new level and we were out gunning teams we would have been well beaten by in the past. The wins at home against Hanbury and Headless were outstanding results so soon into the season. Grahams goals couldn’t possibly last forever and when they dried up so did the team and we had a 2-month spell where we couldn’t find the net. Defensively we were fairly sound with James particularly impressive at left back. One thing that became evident during our baron spell was that I had nothing much on the subs bench to turn to when times were tough. I stuck to my promise of playing the best team and I soon asked Phil and Doyle to leave as I knew they would not feature much and it would be unfair to just leave them out in the cold. Mike Halloran arrived, a player who I have admired for 2 years and I was delighted to have him on board. All of a sudden I could see a squad taking shape. After a few weeks of teething the new 14 began to take to the system and their positions and we began to put in some very good performances. Only our lack of goals stopped us from winning 3 or 4 more games than we actually did. The performances against Robins and Eagles offered great potential. The back four had settled into a routine with the addition of a little extra pace from Henner’s to supplement what Scott, Mike and Jim were already achieving. One lesson I have learnt this season is that it takes new lads a little time to settle in completely. Unlike a lot of kid’s teams we don’t just throw the lads on with a pat on the back and a good luck. We do have roles to play. A defensive system and jobs on set pieces etc. There is a lot to take in and learn. I think Mark, Matt and Al all did tremendously well but I don’t think we saw them completely feeling a part of the team until the last few months. Mike Halloran looked lost when he arrived but he has now settled and is showing what he is about. The final two wins of the season took our tally up to 27 points. Not bad for a new look team in strong division. We had wins against 2nd placed Hanbury, 3rd placed Headless and 4th placed Halesowen. At the same time
we lost to relegated As for next season well it looks to be another tough Division 1. The teams coming up are strong and we will need to improve to compete. I don’t want to aim to stay up each year. I want to be aiming to go up. As much as I enjoyed the last game of the season I always watch it with a little sadness, as you never know how many players are wearing the shirt for the last time. Every season we have lost players at the end. I guess it’s kids football and it happens. I just know that we are only 4 players away from having a Strong, top team. I am already on the lookout and have 1 or 2 in mind. Obviously whenever one comes in another moves down the pecking order so I accept that 2, 3 or 4 will leave in search for regular football. There is nobody in our squad right now who doesn’t have a lot to offer the right team. Finally can I just thank all the lads for there efforts in training. We have trained non-stop for 42 weeks. A great effort by all. At some point this year each and every one of you has made yourselves, your families and me very proud. I truly believe that we now have the nucleus of a top team. If we can hold on to the right players and add in 1 or 2 areas we can be very optimistic for next season. I have seen this squad make great strides in recent months and I for one can’t wait to get going again. Steve |
SQUAD Ryan, Scott, Henners, Deano , Mikey, Matty, Mark, Alex, James, Graham, Paul, CJ , Dylan, Mike
Presentation Night Trophies Managers Player - Mark Williams Players Player - Ryan Stokes Supporters Player - Matty Barber Man of the Match - Scott Stanley Most Improved - James Barnes Special Achievement - Dylan Mcloughlin Squadman - CJ Powell |
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2004-2005 LEAGUE TABLE
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