Don't Look Bac in Anger...

[displaced_seagull]

Goalkeepers

1 - Radoslaw Gardosik - Slovakia - 28

13 - Stefan Paraska - Slovakia - 19

22 - Vojin Prole - Serbia & Montengro - 31 (2 Caps)

First choice between the sticks is certainly Gardosik , and to many minds, his injury late last season cost us any chance we had of making a late challenge for the title. That though, should take nothing away from young Paraska - who took the Slovakian Young Player of the Year award after seven superb first senior performances. Prole is now third-choice as a result, and may move on during the season.

Defenders

2 - Robert Lovegrove - England - 24 - DR

3 - Andrej Ernak - Slovakia - 28 - DL

5 - Jozef Adamik - Slovakia - 22 - DC (U21 Caps)

6 - Pavol Majernik - Slovakia - 28 DC (2 Caps)

12 - Pavol Petras - Slovakia - 18 - SW/DLC (5 U21 Caps)

15 - Ladislav Szijjarto - Slovakia - 27 - D/MRC

17 - Tomas Albert - Slovakia - 29 - DC

20 - Vladimir Suchy - Slovakia - 18 - SW/DC

24 - Marek Spillar - Slovakia - 32 - SW/DC (45 Caps)

Spillar will definatley want to impress this season, and Majernik alongside him will hope that the pairing is a success. Young Adamik is probably a little miffed at losing his regular spot, but has time on his side - similarly Petras and Suchy shouldn't worry on that score. Ernak continued to improve at left back last season, while Lovegrove is almost part of the furniture. Long-term backups Albert and Szijjarto are still likely to be involved, though the former's match time undoubtedly affected by the arrival of Spillar.

Midfielders

4 - Marcel Horky - Slovakia - 33 - DMC

7 - Andrej Cisar - Slovakia - 29 - D/DMR

8 - Peter Svoboda - Slovakia - 27 - AMC

11 - Glen Kaveney - England - 23 - MLC

14 - Jozef Hrivnak - Slovakia - 18 - DMC (8 U21 Caps)

16 - David Mukeba - Dem. Republic of Congo - 23 - MC (9 Caps/1 Goal)

19 - Pavol Mikulec - Slovakia - 27 - D/DMLC

21 - Andrej Masarovic - Slovakia - 28 - A/MRL

28 - Ladislav Duris - Slovakia - 15 - AM/RLC

Horky is crucial as ever, though is now getting on a little - the captain turning 34 in October. Hrivnak was brought in as his long-term replacement, and had a solid debut year. Similar for Mukeba - solid, if a little disapointing perhaps at times. Svoboda also had a good season, but will perhaps be disapointed also after his immense Championship season. On the right Cisar is always reliable, with Kaveney also impressing again - he forced out Mikulec , who was limited to a bit-part role. Masarovic didn't even manage that, and is backup material, while young Duris has skill, but a lot to learn.

Attackers

9 - Marian Marek - Slovakia - 25 - SC

10 - Mihal Balaz - Slovakia - 22 - SC

18 - Seto Nurdinatoro - Indonesia - 33 - SC (21 Caps/7 Goals)

23 - Ernest Lopu - Slovakia - 26 - FC

Lopu , out of contract at Christmas and with only a brace of sub appearances behind him last season, seems to be on his way out - a great shame for a player who did so well in Division Two, but has failed to adapt to the top flight. His loss is Balaz' gain - a player who came on leaps and bounds last season, edging out Marek as star striker - though the latter continued to score regularly. Veteran Nurdinatoro may well begin to slow down this season - and another striker could perhaps be a prudent signing .

Slovan Dulso Sala v Bac - Preseason Friendly

Hardly a month after it ended, the Season begins again - with a Friendly for Bac against a club featuring Michal Filo, an ex-Bac striker, on their staff. Filo never settled at Bac, and left in the summer. New boy Spillar gets a runout, and teenager Duris is amongst the subs - but it was Dulso Sala who started the better, coming close on 26 when Filo had a header parried by the returning Gardiosik. Before too long though Bac turned the corner - and on 40, Mihal Balaz wasted a golden opportunity to score, hitting a penalty straight at 'keeper Magnusson. With multiple changes at the break, Bac began to boss the game, and on 62, took the lead - David Mukeba volleying home a Masarovic cross to make it 1-0. The lead wouldn't last long - despite some nice touches from Bac, sub Albert tripped Molnar on 79, and Jan Cirik made no mistake from the spot. Both sides could have won it - but with the game played at half-pace on a hot and humid evening, a draw is pleasing for both sides.

Dulso Sala 1 - Bac 1 (Mukeba)

Thursday - and bad news for Bac. Robert Lovegrove's season will get off to the worst possible start - a doubt for the opener after damaging a shoulder in training, to rule him out for around a fortnight.

Bac v Barnet - Preseason Friendly

The London club, relegated back into the COnference last season, came over as part of a sponsored visit - and found themselves playing a side in the UEFA Cup! - but it would be Barnet who impressed initially, taking the lead on 11 through Micheal Dobson's volley from a deflected cross. On what turned out to be a poor day for Bac, Fairway rang the changes at half time - but even these weren't enough to stop a rampant Barnet, and when on 51 Ernest Lopu recieved his marching orders for dissent after all of three minutes on the pitch, the game was over. Barnet added a second on 63 - Liam Craig heading home a Newbold cross - but Bac did pull one back late on to make the score a little more respectable. After Spillar's glorious through ball evaded everyone to come back off the post, Ladislav Duris reacted quickest to become - at 15 - Bac's youngest ever goalscorer. A promising end to a distinctly miserable day.

Bac 1 - Barnet 2 (Duris)

[displaced_seagull]

A draw and a defeat - hardly the best of pre-seasons - but it would get worse. As expected, Ernest Lopu's stupidity would recieve punishment in the shape of a one-match ban, but any benefit of an additional Sunday training session for Fairway's men would be cancelled out - young Pavol Petras suffering a groin strain in training to rule him out for around 4 weeks.

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www.bac-online.sk - Football - Tuesday 17/7/07

'Puchov favourites to retain title'

FK Matador Puchov have been made favourites to retain the First Division Title this season by the bookmakers - despite signing nobody, and indeed reducing the squad by four over the summer. While the defending Champions are rated as Evens, MSK Zilina , under new manager Ivan Hasek, will hope to be back amongst the big time this season after a couple of barren years - and this optimism is picked up by the bookies, offering short 4/5 odds.

Bac are slightly further out at 6/4 - Marek Spillar's summer arrival obviously not doing enough to convince that they will be able to repeat their 2005 triumph, while Inter Bratislava (7/4), Trnava (3/1) and Petrzalka (12/1) are all attracting interest in the betting shops.

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Fairway had little time for the bookies - and with the odds of a Second title similar to those last year, he wouldn't be too worried with the odds. In fact, they might move swiftly if a certain transfer deal would come off...

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Slovakia-Today - Football - Friday 20/7/07

'Gyor accept Priskin offer'

" FC Drustevnik Bac are set to add an additional striker to their squad, with reports from Hungary suggesting Gyor have accepted an offer - believed to be in the region of £75,000 - for Slovakian Under 21 striker Tamas Priskin .

Priskin, 20, has scored goals consistently in Hungary, and is thought to be a player Bac manager Stuart Fairway has admired for some time. He is however, currently undergoing treatment for strained knee ligaments, and is set to be out until early August - which could put the blocks on any deal until the striker has regained fitness.

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With no news on Priskin - £75,000 plus 10% of any future sell on the deal confirmed late on Friday night - by Saturday, Fairway would have only one additional first team player for his first team selection of the season - but it's certainly good to be back after a summer fraught with difficulties.

Bac v Spartak Trnava - League

Unavailable

Pavol Petras - Injured (Groin, 3 Weeks)

Robert Lovegrove - Injured (Shoulder, 1 Week)

Andrej Ernak - Suspended (1 of 1)

Jozef Adamik - Suspended (1 of 1)

Ernest Lopu - Suspended (1 of 1)

Peter Svoboda - Suspended (1 of 1)

The unavailable list already worryingly long - but with three of those suspensions hung-over from last season, Fairway knew that before too long - and pending further problems - his squad would be back to full strength. There would be no major suprises in the lineup - Gardosik returning from injury in goal, and Spillar handed his debut in the centre of defence. Szijjarto and Mikulec made up an unlikely fullback pairing - with Mukeba starting in midfield due to the suspension of Svoboda. On the bench though it would be 'bring yer boots' - teeanager Duris forced into an early callup alongside due to those suspension problems, alongside last seasons' youth product, Vlaidimir Suchy. Bac certainly started the better, and after being put away by Szijjarto, Mihal Balaz should have put them ahead in the fourth minute - hitting the side netting after a powerful run. The home side dominated the first half - Glen Kaveney busy in particular on the left - and after the break it was Bac who opened the scoring. The goal took longer than expected to arrive - but on the hour Marcel Horky's threaded through-ball found Seto Nurdinatoro inside the box, and the veteran Indonesian made no mistake, prodding the ball past Cerny to claim his 50th League Goal in a Bac shirt. The goal forced Trnava into coming forward - Gardosik making a fine stop from Ujlaky on 61 before Vladimir Kozuch fired over on 64. 15 minutes later they would draw level - Peter Hodur, on as a sub for Kozuch, applied the finishing touch when Ujlaky raced onto a Jezik pass, but unselfishly squared to leave the sub with an empty net ahead of him. Either side could have snatched it at the death - Bac's best chance falling to David Mukeba, who fired a Horky pass over in injury time with his last kick before replacement. A solid, if unspectacular start to the season.

Bac 1 - Trnava 1 (Nurdinatoro)

Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Szijjarto, Mikulec, Spillar, Majernik, Horky*, Cisar, Mukeba (Replaced 90 Masarovic), Kaveney, Marek, Balaz (Replaced 45 Nurdinatoro)

Bac Position After Game; 4th

[displaced_seagull]

300 and counting - Thanks for everyone's support throughout

Monday morning - and bad news. Jozef Hrivnak has picked up a back strain in training, ruling him out for around a week - and leaving Fairway with that worryingly familiar feeling of an injury-hit season on the horizon...

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The Sun - Football - Tuesday 24/7/07

'Hiele appointed United Boss'

"Everton assistant manager Joop Hiele has been appointed manager of Manchester United after being reccomended by former boss Sir Alex Ferguson. Hiele, 48, was persuaded by Ferguson personally to take the reigns at Old Trafford, and will join fellow Dutchman Wil Coort at the club. Coort, 54, took over as Ferguson's assistant in May after Glenn Hoddle departed to manage Middlesborough, and was brought in to smooth the way for Hiele's arrival.

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By Friday though Fairway was back in the news again - with Tamas Priskin signing from Gyor for a fee of £75,000. The deal had been hammered out over many long evenings - with Fairway having to break his previously tight wage budget - although he still had well over £50,000 a week allocated but not spent. The striker, 20, will be unavailable for a couple of weeks due to a knee injury sustained while at Gyor.

Bac v Inter Bratislava - League

Unavailable

Pavol Petras - Injured (Groin, 2 Weeks)

Robert Lovegrove - Injured (Shoulder, 1 Day)

Jozef Hrivnak - Injured (Back, 5 Days)

Tamas Priskin - Injured (Knee, 2 Weeks)

Although Priskin wouldn't be fit enough to play, he would be fit enough to be introduced to the Bac faithful on the pitch ahead of the game - the young man recieving a rousing reception. With that out the way, the serious business could begin - and Fairway made changes for it, bringing in Ernak, Svoboda and Nurdinatoro, with Mikulec, Mukeba and Balaz all dropping to the bench. A quiet first half - Bac's only chance coming from Svoboda's deft lob, with Lelkes completely wasting a chance for Inter just before the break. The second half began in far brighter style - a total contrast to the dire first half - and on 51, Bac took the lead. A Svoboda corner drifted dangerously to the near post - but any hope Andrej Cisar had of getting to it was ended by a push from Peter Petras - Marian Marek stepping up to blast the penalty past 'keeper Hyll. It would be the first of an incredible afternoon - on 55 Ladislav Szijjarto found the unmarked Peter Svoboda , who was able to run on and plant the ball in the far corner. 3 minutes later, Peter Svoboda again hit the target - his run to the near post perfectly timed from Kaveney's hooked ball forward. Inter - clearly shellshocked - fell apart, and Svoboda almost had a hatrick on 61. It would get worse - Jozef Gaspar's dismissal for a lazy - but professional - foul earnt Bac another penalty - despatched coolly by Marian Marek to make it four. On 82 Marian Marek claimed his hatrick - a fifth goal always on the cards - Majernik's pass converted with a powerful drive past the hapless Hyll. What a way to get your first win.

Bac 5 - Inter 0 (Svoboda 2, Marek 3)

Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Szijjarto, Ernak, Spillar, Majernik, Horky*, Cisar, Svoboda, Kaveney, Marek, Balaz

Bac Position After Game; 3rd

[Terk]

excellent win against bratislava hope to see priskin in the team sooner rather than later

[displaced_seagull]

Cheers Terk - So do I. He looks a really good player (Was going to upload a screenshot, but the CMS MSN thing seems to have died )

Fairway's delight at the result would be matched by that of Chairman Julias Albert - appearing on Slovakian TV to praise his manager as 'the best currently working in Europe'. While that's perhaps more than a little over the top, Bac did completely dominate the game, and could have had even more.

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www.bac-online.sk - Football - Thursday 2/8/02

'San Marino trip for Bac'

"Bac will begin their UEFA Cup campaign with a Qualifying Round Game against Virtus of San Marino. Bac - who will be favourites for the game - will host the First Leg, before travelling to San Marino for the second.

Manager Stuart Fairway said; "We're not counting our chickens, but you have to be pleased with that as a first game - We've avoided CKSA Moscow, who are there despite losing in the final last season, as well as teams like Ferencvaros and Gent - all tricky opponents. Hopefully though, this gives us the chance to build and progress into the later stages of the tournement."

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In fact, it was nothing more than a dream draw - for Bac's third European camapign in a row, this would definatley be the easiest of their ties to date - on paper, at least. There would though be one blow in an otherwise successful week - Andrej Masarovic out for a week after straining knee ligaments on Friday.

FC Rimavska Sobota v Bac - League

Unavailable

Pavol Petras - Injured (Groin, 5 Days)

Tamas Priskin - Injured (Knee, 1 Week)

Andrej Masarovic - Injured (Knee, 1 Week)

With Lovegrove fit again Fairway made one change to the side that demolished Inter a week ago - with Szijjarto the unlucky man, dropping down onto the bench in the only change. Rim.Sobota started well, and on 9 could have taken the lead, if only Marian Stas had have ran with the ball, rather than going for a wild shot from outside the area. Bac slowly wrestled control of the midfield however, and they certainly finished the half the stronger - Marek shooting over from Ernak's deep cross on 34. A slow start to the second half didn't help - the first save from either 'keeper in the 76th minute, Bartalksy holding a Peter Svoboda header. With just a handful of chances, neither side really looked like scoring - and though dull for the 7000-plus in attendance, a draw is the deserved result.

Rim. Sobota 0 - Bac 0

Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove, Ernak, Spillar (Replaced 45 Adamik), Majernik, Horky*, Cisar, Svoboda, Kaveney, Marek, Balaz

Bac Position After Game; 3rd

[This message was edited by displaced_seagull on 28 March 2004 at 15:51.]

[This message was edited by displaced_seagull on 28 March 2004 at 15:51.]

[displaced_seagull]

Monday morning - and with a week to go before the Transfer Window closes again, Fairway decided to transfer-list goalkeeper Vojin Prole . It went generally unnoticed by the media - perhaps understandably, with no deal on the horizon yet for a move.

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Bac-Online.sk - Football - Friday 10/8/07

'Petras & Priskin fit as Fairway looks to future'

"Reports from Bac suggest manager Stuart Fairway will have defender Pavol Petras available again for Saturday's game against Slovan - and new striker Tamas Priskin is also back in training, and could make his debut in Bac's midweek UEFA Cup match against Virtus.

Meanwhile, news has also reached BO.sk that Fairway has also put in a bid for Stefan Kral , a 16-year old Right Back, and Slovakian Under-21 International, currently with Inter Bratislava. Kral came through ranks at Inter, but is yet to make a senior start, though he did come off the bench twice last season.

Fairway has not yet confirmed any move for the defender, though we understand that it could be tied up ahead of Thursday's UEFA Cup action."

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Slovan Bratislava v Bac - League

Unavailable

Andrej Masarovic - Injured (Knee, 1 Week)

With only bit-part man Masarovic unavailable, Fairway unsuprisingly decided against changing his team - still unbeaten this season - for a game against Slovan, struggling this so far this season. On a very hot - and very dry - afternoon, the game shot out of the blocks. Just 2 minutes in Mihal Balaz siezed on a backpass - Marian Marek shooting home with relative ease to five Bac the early lead. On 16 it would be two - Glen Kaveney's inswinging freekick deflected home by Vomacka - an own goal to put the visitors further ahead. The home support - already clearly annoyed - would see a third just 10 minutes later. After Slovak shoved him, Marian Marek stepped up to net his second of the match from the penalty spot. On 28 though Slovan finally got forward, for the first time threatening, and then scoring. A fine pass from Samuel Slovak allowed Peter Babnic to run on and beat Gardiosik with a low, curling effort. Though Bac had looked to have wrapped things up, by half time - thanks to Martin Suchy's 36th minute header from a corner - the scores were a lot closer. Fairway made one change - and Bac again shot out of the blocks at the start of the half. On 55 Glen Kaveney's bombing run and cross caused real problems. However - the unthinkable would happen, and it would be a furious Fairway on the bench. On 61 the impressive Slovak crossed well, Jan Slahor spinning on his heels to fire home from inside the area. As Bac's players blamed each other, Slovan stepped up a gear, and looked to lead. On 68, they would - Peter Babnic grabbing his second of the game. While Fairway made a second change, and urged his Bac players forward, it would be a fifth for Slovan - and a third for Peter Babnic on 82 to wrap up the scoring. Bac's followers will be left shaking their heads - and the manager his fists.

Slovan 5 - Bac 3 (Marek 2, OG)

Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove, Ernak, Spillar (Replaced 82 Adamik), Majernik, Horky* (Replaced Hrivnak 45), Cisar, Svoboda, Kaveney, Marek, Balaz

Bac Position After Game; 5th

[displaced_seagull]

Sunday morning, and while the Bac squad would be in for an extra training session - Fairway absolutley fuming at Saturday's result, and second half performance, one player would be staying in Bratislava. Goalkeeper Vojin Prole , who never really took his chances at Bac, would leave the club on Sunday - a £10,000 fee over the two years of the 'keeper's contract.

With the Transfer Deadline on Monday, one young man would have to make a quick decision. It would be a positive one for Bac - Stefan Kral joining Bac for £7000 from Inter Bratislava.

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Slovakia-Today - Football - Wednesday 15/8/07

'Disaster for Bac as Priskin Hurt again'

"It just gets worse for Bac striker Tamas Priskin - injured just days after returning from the knee injury he sustained before joining the club.

Priskin, 20, signed last month from Hungarian side Gyor , but has been unable to make his Bac debut. Manager Stuart Fairway told Slovakia-Today; "It's a big, big blow - and the lad is gutted. It's so unfortunate - sods law really, with the UEFA Cup game tomorrow a game that Tamas would have loved to have been involved in.

The striker will be out for around two months with a torn Hamstring. Meanwhile, new signing Stefan Kral has been given Squad Number 32, sparking rumours that he could be involved against Virtus tomorrow evening."

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Bac v Virtus - UEFA Cup Qualifying Round First Leg

Unavailable

Tamas Priskin - Injured (Hamstring, 2 Months)

Marcel Horky - Suspended (1 of 1)

With Marcel Horky serving a one-game ban - a hangover from last season's European adventures - Fairway made one change, bringing young Jozef Hrivnak into the side for his first start of the season, and first European start of his career. Bac went into the game as odds-on favourites, with 1-33 offering no value whatsoever for the punters. Hardly a suprise - but on 19, the bookies would be proved right. An idiotic charge out of goal to claim a loose ball from Virtus 'keeper Sammaritani saw Marian Marek fire home from fully 30 yards - though the 'keeper's face said it all. After handing the home side the lead, Virtus suprisingly began to mount a comeback - Gardosik tested on 37 with a shot from Zavoli. On 42 Bac made it two - an opportunist effort from Peter Svoboda inside the area after great work by fullback Andrej Ernak. After the break the minnows from San Marino again threatened - and to a certain extent looked the better side throughout the early part of the Second period - with Zavoli in particular busy in attack. A goal did look likley, and the 15 who had travelled from Virtus would be rewarded. On 73 an inswinging corner found the head of Andrea Rossi, nodding home from point-blank range to give Gardosik no chance. Though not entirely convicing, Bac held on for the win - and though they will be disapointed not to have scored more, the Second Leg should still be a formality.

Bac 2 - Virtus 1 (Marek, Svoboda)

Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove, Ernak, Spillar, Majernik, Hrivnak, Cisar, Svoboda, Kaveney, Marek*, Balaz

[displaced_seagull]

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www.Bac-Online.sk - Football - Saturday 18/8/07

'Mukeba - I need regular football'

"Bac midfielder David Mukeba has told BO.sk that he is unhappy at the club, after failing to win regular First Team football this season.

Mukeba, 24, joined Bac last season from his native Democratic Republic of Congo, and had a solid debut year.

In an exclusive interview he said; "I'm unhappy. I hoped to be in the team on a regular basis, and I am certainly looking to move on if this is not forthcoming. I need to protect my international career".

Bac manager Stuart Fairway is said to be fuming at the midfielder, and is a known critic of players going to the media with their problems"

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Mukeba could wait - by Sunday morning, Fairway would have something far, far bigger to consider. It took him just a few short minutes to do so - and in the process, call time on his Slovakian adventures...

To follow the continuing adventures of Stuart Fairway, see the new thread - here