As those of you that were “invited” to the AGM will remember (minutes should be available on request, if they’re not, why not?) and I was there so I DO remember, it was decided that ANY Fulbourn Sports player that owed £20 or more to the Football Club would not be allowed to play for OUR Club until they have cleared that debt to under that level. However (and here comes the kick to the little guy) both of the Teams that played on Sunday fielded players that owed £20 or more.

Whether or not the amount these players owe is under dispute or not, THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE PLAYED.

A decision was made by both the First Team Manager, Richard Chege and the Reserve Team Manager, Mike Oliver to extend the deadline for paying off that debt – it was always my belief that no executive decision should be made at OUR club without a Committee meeting taking place and also bearing in mind that there in fact 3 teams at this club, 1 of which didn’t have a game was a kick in the teeth of everybody in the A Team that doesn’t owe more than £20.

There’s a reason that our club only had 98 pence in the bank 4 weeks before the Player of the Year do. And what happened on Sunday just goes to show that both managers of our VB Trophies Sunday League teams would rather be successful and penniless than mid-table and financially stable.

And no, before anybody comes out with the suggestion that I’m only saying this because I don’t owe any money (even though I am completely debt free) and I wanted to play. I went to watch the Reserve team game on Sunday and there was no way I was going to keep up with any of the Fowlmere players. But when we have another squad of 15 or 16 players who are readily available and prepared to play for any of the teams, and don’t owe the football half as much money as the other teams, why shouldn’t they be included in the squad?

Personally I Think it means neither of our “Proper” Sunday League managers thinks the A Team squad is good enough.

Maybe for an inkling of a moment, at the AGM, Fulbourn Sports turned into 1 club. And yes the communication is much better between all 3 teams, but as soon as it becomes time to play “serious” football, it’s “them and us” all over again.

Share on Facebook

The game will be played at: Trinity Oldfield, Grange Road, Cambridge, CB3 9AA

6:30pm kick-off.

The Sports XI squad for the game is as follows:

Lee Lebbon
Chris Cooper
Gaz Roberts
Chris Wright (Capt)
Simon Burling
Darcy Jermakow
Michael Mason
Sean Killaspy
Matt Killasapy
Leon Patrick-Willis
Abdul Noor Khalique
George Lunn
Jordan Tranyier
Richard Chege
Reece Palmer
Bobby Saunders
Roger Phillips
Jack Burch
John Chege
Lee Tapp

Share on Facebook

The Sports XI side is made up of players from all 3 teams and managed by 1st team manager Richard Chege, this is the 3rd pre-season that the team has been running for and the games also prove to be very worthwhile played with a good friendly but competitive edge.

Details of the two games as follows:

Sports XI 1 – 2 Jagex Games Ltd – Wednesday 28th July

Sports Starting XI:

Cooper

S.Killaspy  Wrighty©  Holty  M.Killaspy

J.Chege  Craske  Tranyier  S.Whitehead

Tapp  Primo

Subs: R.Chege, J.Sheehan, R.Sheehan, Jones, Burling, T.McGannon, M.McGannon, Benson

Goals: Jordan Tranyier
MoM: Tom Craske

Sports XI 7 – 3 Jagex Games Ltd – Wednesday 4th August

Sports Starting XI:

Lebbon

S.Killaspy  Coops  Burling  J.Sheehan

M.Killaspy  Craske©  Smithy  R.Sheehan

Burch  Booker

Subs: Primo, King, Davies, Jones, T.McGannon, Batesy, Jermakow

Goals: Booker x2, Primo x2, King, Davies, Burch
MoM: Dan Booker

UP THE SPORTS!!! x

Share on Facebook

Barnwell were also struggling for players, their gaffer being let down on the morning of the match to be left with a bare 10 players, new Sports signing Matt Killaspy kindly agreed to take the red shirt of Barnwell for the 1st 45 minutes.
 
Sports were or at least should have been riding high following the impressive destruction of Southill the Wednesday night before, the formation to start was again a continental 3-5-2 formation that had worked so well in the 1st 3rd against Southill in the previous friendly.
 
Coops was in sticks for Sports, with Gaz Roberts, skipper Wrighty and Lieutenant Revell the 3 centre-halves in front of him, wing-backs were Bobby Saunders and Sean Killaspy another new arrival at Sports this summer. The midfield trio were Kizza, Damo and the impressive George Lunn, up top the battling pacey duo of Arthur and Burch. Our only sub for this match was 16 year old wonder boy Jordan Tranyier, yet another new signing for Sports!
 
The game started very badly for Sports…. 2-0 down within the 1st 10 minutes, , two sloppy free-kicks were conceded on the Sports right side, the defending was shocking with Robbie Dance able to squeeze both free-kicks in at the Sports near post.
 
A poor start and the preferred 3-5-2 formation that worked so well the previous Wednesday had failed miserably, back to basics and a 4-4-2 formation seemed to work wonders.
 
The 2 goal deficit seemed to be exactly what Sports needed to get themselves sorted and started to put on a show, quick-fire goals from Damo and Jack levelled the scores, Sports were back in it with a bang and put together some fantastic forward flowing passing moves, Charlie inches wide with a superb header following a lung-busting run down the right by the ever willing Burch. The next free flowing move resulted in a neat inter-change in the middle of the park followed by an almighty ping from Lunn right to left which landed on the feet of Arthur, he breezed past his man with ease and put a great ball into the box which Sports could not convert, it was pleasing to see such good football played on such a poor pitch.
 
Sports had to make one change during the 1st half with the bollock-stricken Bobby Saunders being replaced by latest Sports protégée Ryan Tranyier; a quick reshuffle resembled more of a “Chege favourite” 4-5-1 with Tranyier playing in a free role just off lone front man Damo.
 
Referee Mark Wilson brought an entertaining 1st half to a close with the scores level a 2-2, Sports retreated to the changing rooms to get some water as the stupid managing had forgotten to bring the water bottles along for the game! Where was John Mason when you need him…..!!
 
2 changes in personnel were made by Sports with Sean Killaspy (swapped with his brother to play for Barnwell) and Kizza Whitehead being replaced by Matt Killaspy and Bobby Saunders respectively.

What followed in the 2nd half was a Fulbourn Sports onslaught with almost sheer domination of the 2nd half, I can’t remember Coops having to make any meaningful saves in the 2nd half. Goals in the 2nd half from Barker, Burch, Saunders, Arthur and Tranyier put the game well beyond doubt, the highlight of the 2nd half was the influential performance of young Tranyier with a couple of defence splitting passes that set the sheer pace of Arthur free, this all-rounded off with a peach of a strike as Tranyier curled the ball into the net from 25-yards. 
A very pleasing team performance today especially when you consider the players missing that will prove to be key for us next season, definitely plenty to build on for the new season ahead.

Big thanks to the few supporters that came along to the game and the ones that ran the line etc… Cheers to Coops for stepping up and helping us out in sticks.

Man of the Match: George Lunn gave another superb performance and was my man of the match today, notable performances also from Gaz Roberts and Ryan Tranyier.

Sports 7 -2 Barnwell Rangers

UP THE SPORTS………!!!! x

Match Photos

Share on Facebook

The 2010-2011 season is fast approaching, and with this sees the Mighty Sports first team play senior football for the first time, Richard Cheges team start with an eagerly awaited tough away fixture on the 29th of August against Exning United at Lacey’s Lane, Chege is likely to be looking at getting off to a good start, and he maybe considering bringing flesh blood to the club in the preseason to add to his cluster of already mega stars.

Sports reserves also plying there trade in a division that’s brand new to them after promotion see them start at home (Cambridge Road) with Fowlmere Metals, New manager Mike Oliver is said to be looking upto the challenge of managing in division 1 for the second time and he is quoted as saying, “These are exciting times for Sports; two teams in the top two flights of the league mean history has already been made – but we should look to continue on making it”.

No fixtures as yet for the Sports A-side as they start the season in the Tucker Gardner Alliance league, a standard that surely will test Richard Hendersons men

There are some tasty looking ties, with the first team playing old foes Gamlingay on the 10th of October payback perhaps?, they then play hosts to the multi talented and current senior division champions Falcons in which looks on paper as to be the fixture of the season, Barnwell Rangers away on the last day of the season could potentially be a very very important game at ether end of the table, only time will tell!

The reserves away trip to Rovers on the 19th of September will be one to watch, along with Edward Jolly boys visit to Cambridge road a place they lost 5-0 last season, Sports reserves will hope to finish on a high extinguishing Cambridge’s fire

Fulbourn Sports Sunday Complete fixture list:-

August

29th        Exning United v Fulbourn Sports

September

5th        Fulbourn Sports v Magpies 2001

12th         Girton Eagles v Fulbourn Sports

19th         Fulbourn Sports v Coton

26th         Bar Hill v Fulbourn Sports

October

10th         Gamlingay United v Fulbourn Sports

17th         Fulbourn Sports v Falcons

31st        Magpies 2001 v Fulbourn Sports

November

14th         Fulbourn Sports v Barnwell Rangers

21st         Sawston Keys v Fulbourn Sports

December

5th        Fulbourn Sports v Ashwell

12th        Fulbourn Sports v Exning United

19th        Coton v Fulbourn Sports

January

2nd        Fulbourn Sports v Girton Eagles

16th        Fulbourn Sports v Barnwell Rangers

23rd        Falcons v Fulbourn Sports

February

6th        Fulbourn Sports v Sawston Keys

13th        Ashwell v  Fulbourn Sports

20th        Fulbourn Sports v Gamlingay United

27th        Barnwell Rangers v Fulbourn Sports

Fulbourn Sports Sunday Reserves Complete fixture list:-

August

29th           Fulbourn Sports Reserves v Fowlmere Metals

September

5th             Ickleton v  Fulbourn Sports Reserves

12th           Fulbourn Sports Reserves v Sawston Wanderers

19th           Fulbourn Rovers v Fulbourn Sports Reserves

26th           Fulbourn Sports Reserves v Drayton Lions

October

3rd            Fulbourn Sports Reserves v Ickleton

10th           Fulbourn Sports Reserves v Edward Jolly Boys

17th          Linton Aztecs v Fulbourn Sports Reserves

31st          Cambridge Cosmos v Fulbourn Sports Reserves

November

21st          Fulbourn Sports Reserves v Cambridge Fire & Rescue

December

5th           Drayton Lions v Fulbourn Sports Reserves

12th         Fowlmere Metals v Fulbourn Sports Reserves

January
2nd         Sawston Wanderers v Fulbourn Sports Reserves

9th        Fulbourn Sports Reserves v Fulbourn Rovers

16th      Edward Jolly Boys v Fulbourn Sports Reserves

23rd      Fulbourn Sports Reserves v Linton Aztecs

30th    Fulbourn Sports Reserves v Cambridge Cosmos

February

6th      Cambridge Fire & Rescue v Fulbourn Sports Reserves

All fixtures are subject to change

Up the Sports
Nunight

Share on Facebook

Seeing as Sports were missing 5 of their most influential players, others stepped in to fill the breach, as well as a few new faces. Chege’s starting line up went thus:

Elliott
Wrighty                Rich Nightingale                     Gaz
Jack                                             Abdul                                         Shaun
Smudger                              George
Damo               Fear

Subs of: Jordan Traynier, David Bates, Matt Killaspy

Chege going 3-5-2 instead of his preferred “Big Game” formation of 4-5-1 signalled his intent to take the game to them through the middle and to work as hard as possible to keep the Southill side at bay. Southill lined up their 5 Sports players in these positions:

Lawrie – Centre Half, Kizza – Right Back, Charlie – Right Midfield, Bob Saunders – Left Midfield, Jason – Up Front.

A reasonably sized crowd turned out for a 7 o’clock kick off. Sports unusually in Blue/Black with Southill in Harchester Purple. With Mo on the camera and yours truly on reporting duties and with that the game kicked off.

The first ten minutes were even and the game looked good, Sports were playing the ball to feet, Abdul was always able to find George or Smudger with a pass. Whenever the Southill players got on the ball, they clearly had more confidence in their centre midfielders than in the Sports lads on the wings, understandably, considering it was only the second Southill game for some of them.

Sports got the breakthrough after a great ball into Damo’s feet, he skinned Kizza (so he says) but was caught on the way, a great advantage by the ref was played and as the ball fell to Damo’s feet he chipped it in the air and the Southill left back handled the ball in the box. No hesitation from the ref, penalty to Sports. Damo calmly stepped up the plate and slotted the ball in the bottom right corner to Sports into the lead. 1-0.

Southill kicked off and were determined not to let going behind to “a Sunday League team” get to them, they worked the ball out to Charlie on the right wing, he ducked inside and got a pass away to the Southill midfield, who subsequently gave the ball away.

As the first third continued, Southill were denied a penalty, and in all fairness to the Southill striker, we’ve seen them given on the TV. If he had pulled the trigger, he would have scored.

The second goal of the game fell to Fearo after a Damo shot was unusually skewed wide; Fearo stuck his left leg out and directed the ball in off the left hand post. 2-0 to Sports and besides the odd header from Southill and that possible penalty decision, they had never really threatened. Rob Saunders was quiet on the left wing and Charlie Arthur was quiet on the right. Southill didn’t utilise the ability that we see every Sunday when they play for Sports.

The whistle blew for the end of the first third and it was time for Chege to make his subs. Blackie went off to the club to buy the beers and Chege started talking. Subs made were Batesy, Matt and Jordan for Smudger, Shaun and Jack.

Second third then, everything about Southill changed, their style of play, their mentality. They went from playing some good football to a punt and run team. Rich Nightingale was loving it at the back as were Gaz and Wrighty, anything Southill played through they put onto Lynchy’s head, instead of into his feet – we all know he’s phenomenal with his feet and brilliant with his head, but he can’t do it all on his own. Southill had resorted to route one football, a big hoof up field was all they had.

A flash of skill from Damo on the edge on the Southill area which resulted in a shot wide of the mark. The third continued much along those lines and a dribble and quick feet of Jordan Traynier led to a break down the left for Sports. Fear was unable to capitalise.

Another dubious penalty decision was turned down by the ref which drew a barrage of abuse from the Southill manager – remember though, this is the guy that said in his team talk before the game “These are a Sunday League team”!!! Former referee Mark Richardson on the sideline was sympathetic with Southill though, calling a penalty.

Following the whistle for the end of the second third, Chege made some more subs. And Mo went to get the beer this time.

The third third started as the evening began to draw near. Mo arrived with the beers and the game went much the same way as the second third, Southill continued to hoof the ball up front at every opportunity, and Sports continued to play it back and then lose it in the final third of the pitch.

Chege had moved George and Smudger back into centre midfield, which brought some of the concise passing from the first third. Kizza had switched allegiances

Jordan Traynier was running his nuts off, chasing every ball and he managed to get a shot away in the third third that went wide of the mark.

The ref blew the final whistle and both sets of players trudged off in the cool evening air, Sports, obviously feeling better than a somewhat embarrassed Southill side.

Mom – Without a doubt Gaz, kept the Southill strikers quiet all the game.

Match Photos

Share on Facebook

The game will take place at Capital Park, Fulbourn – 7pm kick-off on Wednesday 21st July.

The game is seen as an ideal opportunity for both sides to try out new players and formations before the season begins…. There should be some interesting battles on the pitch… Wrighty vs Lynch and Lorro vs  Damo!

The Sports 1st team squad is expected to be as follows:

Eliot Anderson
Chris Wright (capt)
Gareth Roberts
Rich Nightingale
Matt Bashford
David Bates
George Lunn
Sean Killaspy
Darcy Jermakow
Abdul Khalique
Tom Smith
Jon Fear
Damien Barker
Charlie Arthur
Jack Burch
John Chege

Manager and Captain are still working on one new potential midfield player that will hopefully appear for Sports…. Could be a major coup ala Joe Cole to Liverpool….. So watch this space!!!

Apart from the Southill players…. Michael Mason, Jamie Saunders, Danny Page and new keeper Ben Cox are all unnavailable for Sports.

Should be a cracking pre-season fixture with some extra spice!!

UP THE SPORTS!!!

Chege x

Share on Facebook

Please bring your £10 sign-on fees with you if possible, I will have a receipt book with me!

ALL PLAYERS are welcome to attend as we look to bring in new players for all 3 squads to boost the chances of success for next season, so if you’ve got anyone that might be interested please bring them along…

Quite a few pre-season fixtures have been confirmed already, the 1st one being the Sports XI side taking on Jagex Games Ltd on 21st July @ Capital Park, Fulbourn.

Cheers

Chege x

UP THE SPORTS!!!!!

Share on Facebook

In truth, the AGM should have perhaps started a few hours, and several pints, earlier but I, for one, think that the beer helps numb the pain… Although it does mean the AGM lasts a lot longer than necessary as everyone just arses around!

Anyway, Club officials were elected. Mick, the lovely Ange and the not-so-lovely Pete Marsh were voted in to continue their roles of Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer respectively. Rumours of the sundry items on the balance sheet being a deposit for Pete’s new tooth were unfounded.

Balance sheet was presented which showed the club in a particularly healthy and virile position. Credit should be given to Mick and Dan for their tenacious pursuit of outstanding player subs, fines and signing-on fees. A vital yet, ultimately, thankless task. Debts are still being chased and collected as I type.

There was a brief discussion regarding a new manager for the forthcoming season. The guy was unable to attend the meeting due to work commitments but the Board are hopeful of making an announcement in the near future.

New kit was discussed and both Dan and Mick presented the proposal to the players, everyone seemed happy enough. Dan informed everyone that the club would buy kit for numbers 1 through to 16 and that if anyone else wanted a different number that they were to pay for it themselves. Training tops were also discussed, these are likely to be available at players own cost unless….

Sponsors are currently being sought. Rog suggested he might know of someone that would be interested as did Kleeny. Since the meeting we have an additional name to add to the list but no decision has yet been made. All sponsors are welcome, all money will help. Any interested parties should contact Dan or Mick in the first instance.

Mick briefly spoke about the new ‘deal’ he had done with the Social Club involving membership fees being included in signing-on fees. This was passed. Discussions also took place regarding whether the Social Club should put food on for the lads as an incentive to call in for a drink after the game. This was trialled successfully towards the end of the season but a discussion with the Social Club has yet to take place.

The meeting was called to a close soon after and we promptly moved on to the awards for the season. These were presented as follows:

Clubman of the year – Shane Spaxman – Always being there to help out when we are short of players

Leading goal scorer – Charlie Arthur – 24 in all competitions

Manager’s player of the year – Richard Nightingale

Player’s player of the year – Charlie Arthur

My own personal awards as follows:

Goal of the season – Rob Saunders – 50-yard free-kick, deliberate

Miss of the season – Kevin Kleen – open goal, one yard out, not deliberate

Best save – Tony Beadle – vital penalty save in the closing stages

Worst save – Dan Holt – waved at the ball as it pea-rolled past him

Worst haircut – Ben Ferguson – times like these I’m grateful I don’t have hair

Hero of the year – Jas Hien – busting his head open but wanting to play on

Best half of the season – Poopworth – 3-0 down at HT, won 4-3

Worst half of the season – Bassingbourn/Newmarket/Poopworth/CUP A – All 1^st half, all at home

Worst spinner – Tom Rust – no lungs!

Mick then pulled out the signing-on form for next season which everyone present signed with the exception of Rog and Macca. Boo. Mick tried to ‘convinvce’ Kev Brasher to sign there and then but Brasher was having none of it.

The players then thanked Mick and the lovely Ange for their efforts over the season. Mick was presented with a meal voucher for the Red Lion in Granchester and the lovely Ange was presented with a bouquet of flowers.

Taxis were then booked and the players slowly headed into town wondering what the 2010,11 season might bring…

Up the Sports!

Share on Facebook

Also at the AGM last night Sports very own Jason Lynch was presented with the Golden Boot!

The make up up the top two divisions next season will be as follows:

Senior Division
Ashwell
Bar Hill
Barnwell Rangers
Coton
Exning United
Falcons
Fulbourn Sports
Gamlingay United
Girton Eagles
Magpies 2001
Sawston Keys

Division 1B
Cambridge Cosmos
Camb Fire & Rescue
Drayton Lions
Edward Jolly Boys
Fowlmere Metals
Fulbourn Rovers
Fulbourn Sports Reserves
Ickleton
Linton Aztecs
Sawston Wanderers

The new season is scheduled to kick-off on Sunday 29th August and I cannot wait!!

UP THE SPORTS!!!! x

Share on Facebook