25 Years

[CFuller]

APRIL 2010

The big mid-season gamble had paid off. Four months after signing Sol Campbell on £15,000 per week, Kidderminster Harriers had gone from the edge of the Division 1 relegation zone to ensuring survival with ample time to spare.

 

I knew that paying so much money for one player (no matter how good he was) would put the club's financial stability and my job security at risk if it backfired. Campbell's salary had contributed to us being £250,000 in debt - but having won 12 and lost just three of our last 19 league matches since recruiting the ex-England defender, we were now guaranteed another healthy injection of TV revenue over the summer.

 

With relegation no longer a concern, it was time to see how far I could take this team. Sitting only five points behind 6th-placed West Ham with seven matches still to play, we still had an outside chance of making the play-offs. We also had plenty of momentum.

 

Mind you, only three of our remaining fixtures were at home - and the first of those was against a Derby side who were fighting tooth and nail to get out of the drop zone. The Rams would certainly not make this as easy as the pre-match odds suggested.

 

3 APRIL 2010: Kidderminster Harriers vs Derby County

The opening stages went to form, as we immediately took the game to our struggling opponents. Right-back Billy Berntsson thought he'd scored a rare goal when he fired in a lay-off from Carl Robinson in the fourth minute... but the offside flag had already gone up against Robert Garside.

 

Robinson was as frustrated with his Welsh compatriot as I was, but the veteran midfielder did eventually get an assist in the 28th minute. A skilful chip into the Derby area found our hotshot striker Cherno Samba, who outjumped Rams defender Paul Mayo to head home. The referee's assistant kept his flag down this time, and so we took a 1-0 lead into the second period!

 

We had chances to double our advantage early in the second half. Our youngest player Jamie Berry and oldest player Sol Campbell were each thwarted by Jon Ashwood - Derby's relatively middle-aged 25-year-old keeper.

 

The Rams then launched a counter-attack in the 58th minute, when Harriers centre-back Simon Bell's clearance was intercepted by substitute Craig Disley. Disley then laid it off to his fellow midfielder David Noble, who jinked past Shaun Derry and then hammered the ball into the top corner. Were we about to drop two crucial points at home to one of the league's worst teams?

 

Not on Cherno's watch! After 64 minutes, Samba beat Noble to a Derry corner and restored our advantage - with his 10th goal in as many matches! We then shut out the visitors for the next half-hour or so, with Bell recovering from his earlier mistake to produce a fantastic defensive display late on.

 

Kidderminster Harriers - 2 (Samba 28,64)

Derby County - 1 (Noble 58)

Division 1, Attendance 6,340 - POSITIONS: Kidderminster 9th, Derby 23rd

KIDDERMINSTER LINE-UP (3-5-2 Attacking): Forde; Heikkinen, Campbell, Bell; Berntsson (T Simpson), Gray; Robinson, Derry; Garside (Howe); Samba, Berry (Graham).

 

While we were celebrating our seventh win in nine league games, Derby made one last gamble to try and save them from relegation - sacking John Beck immediately after the match. Perhaps the days of Beck's long-ball tactics dominating the Football League had come to an end.

 

We suffered a significant blow prior to our next game at 12th-placed Charlton, with left-back Terry Simpson ruled out for three weeks after dislocating his shoulder in training. That meant Alan Gray's patience was rewarded with an extended run in the team, while Kevin Hyde was back on the bench, looking to make his first appearance since December.

 

10 APRIL 2010: Charlton Athletic vs Kidderminster Harriers

Alan Curbishley's Charlton weren't the most aggressive of our teams, but they certainly gave our players a rough ride in the first half. Cherno Samba was viciously brought down in the penalty area by Welsh centre-back Robert Edwards in the 15th minute, but the referee refused to reward a penalty!

 

Mark Pericles did at least take action when another Charlton defender - Colin Burns - went in hard on our attacking midfielder Robert Garside in the 26th. While I and the Harriers supporters called for a red card, Mr Pericles only issued Burns with a yellow. He also handed out bookings to the Addicks' 16-year-old midfielder John Ross and our left-back Alan Gray before the break.

 

Of course, the teams did try to play some football during all this. Our best chance to open the scoring came on 33 minutes, when Garside's low drive was stopped by Kostas Chalkias. That missed opportunity would be costly, as it was Charlton who broke the deadlock 11 minutes into the second half. Veteran left-back Ijah Anderson floated in a cross that was headed in by Athletic's leading scorer Glen Crowe.

 

Cherno came within inches of drawing us level in the 59th minute, just before John Forde made two crucial saves in our goal to stop Ross or Charlton captain Tranquillo Barnetta from doubling the hosts' lead. Forde then produced more heroics to win a one-on-one with Athletic forward Darren Huckerby in the 76th minute... but not before the 34-year-old fell theatrically in the penalty area! Incredibly, the referee fell for the Addick's antics hook, line and sinker - and pointed to the penalty spot!

 

Sol Campbell and several other Kidderminster players argued with Mr Pericles, insisting that Forde had never touched Huckerby. I certainly had not seen any contact from where I was standing. Even so, the ref waved away our protests, and our sense of injustice only grew when Crowe converted his spot-kick to give Charlton a 2-0 win - a win that they perhaps didn't completely deserve.

 

Charlton Athletic - 2 (Crowe 56,pen77)

Kidderminster Harriers - 0

Division 1, Attendance 8,889 - POSITIONS: Charlton 8th, Kidderminster 11th

KIDDERMINSTER LINE-UP (3-5-2 Attacking): Forde; Heikkinen, Campbell, Bell; Berntsson (Gallego), Gray (Hyde); Robinson, Derry; Garside; Samba, Berry (Scott).

 

I was furious at full-time... but not so much with my team. I had never seen a refereeing performance as inept - perhaps even as downright biased - as Mark Pericles had given. The man in black might as well have been the man in red, such was his favouritism towards Charlton.

 

The next day, I was on the phone to the FA's head of refereeing to file a complaint against Mr Pericles. The official came back to me the next week and said that he agreed with my assessment of the official's performance, and that he would review his future performances.

 

I hoped for some fairer officiating in our next match at Sheffield United, which really was 'must-win' if we were to stay in the play-off hunt. Good news: our top scorer David Collins was back from injury. Bad news: our second-top scorer Cherno Samba was now on the sidelines with a twisted knee.

 

17 APRIL 2010: Sheffield United vs Kidderminster Harriers

Sheffield United striker Billy Paynter was locked in a fierce battle with Birmingham's Andy Johnson to finish as the league's top scorer. Paynter went into this game on 22 goals and quicky got his first shot at number 23... but our returning Spanish stopper Unai pressured him into firing clean over the bar.

 

We had another scare right at the end of the first half, when Paynter's colleague Jimmy Moran - playing just off the lone striker in attacking midfield - headed Ben Muirhead's cross against the post. At the other end, we'd been restricted to just one David Collins volley midway through the half, which went nowhere near the target.

 

The second half was almost as dire as the first, with neither team ever looking capable of breaking the deadlock. Collins had the game's only shot on target after 69 minutes, but it was struck too softly to seriously worry Justin Bray in the Blades' goal. This was a match pretty much everyone at Bramall Lane wanted to forget about - especially Alan Gray, who replaced Kiddy left-back Kevin Hyde at half-time, only to need replacing himself when he hurt his ankle in the 75th minute.

 

Sheffield United - 0

Kidderminster Harriers - 0

Division 1, Attendance 16,029 - POSITIONS: Sheff Utd 12th, Kidderminster 11th

KIDDERMINSTER LINE-UP (4-1-3-2): Forde; Berntsson, Campbell, Unai, Hyde (Gray (Miller)); Heikkinen; Derry, S Simpson, Robinson; Scott (Graham), Collins.

 

That was almost certainly the end of our play-off hopes. With four games to go, we now sat 10 points adrift of 6th.

 

To make matters worse, Gray had strained his ankle ligaments and was out for the season. Despite subbing him off at half-time after such a woeful performance, I had no choice but to start Hyde again when we hosted Huddersfield just two days later.

 

19 APRIL 2010: Kidderminster Harriers vs Huddersfield Town

Jeff Whitley was back in the Kidderminster midfield for a rare appearance - but after just six minutes, I was already regretting it. The 31-year-old looked far too weak when he tried to stop a solo run from Huddersfield striker Peter Sjölund, who capped it off with an unstoppable strike into the top corner.

 

To be fair to Whitley, the Northern Irishman redeemed himself a little by playing a role in our equaliser eight minutes before half-time. Whitley crossed from the right wing to the left, where full-back Kevin Hyde sent it back in the other direction. As Huddersfield's defence struggled to react, Robert Garside took possession and laid it off for David Collins, whose 14th goal of the season made it 1-1!

 

Our relief didn't last long, as Huddersfield replicated their first-half display by (re)taking the lead six minutes into the second half. Don O'Riordan's side capped off an excellent passing move when captain Paul Anthony's square ball was tapped in by Irish midfield playmaker Éamonn Maher - a 20-year-old Rangers loanee who surely has a bright future.

 

I'm afraid that this was another poor performance for our goalkeeper John Forde, who had conceded twice from Huddersfield's first two shots on target. He did make it third time lucky in the 60th minute - but he really was lucky, needing a couple of attempts to keep his hands on Sjölund's free-kick. The final half-hour saw more misery for the home fans, as Jamie Berry headed wide an equalising opportunity in the 79th minute, thus bringing our play-off dream to an official end.

 

Kidderminster Harriers - 1 (Collins 37)

Huddersfield Town - 2 (Sjölund 6, Maher 51)

Division 1, Attendance 6,566 - POSITIONS: Kidderminster 13th, Huddersfield 17th

KIDDERMINSTER LINE-UP (3-5-2 Attacking): Forde; Heikkinen, Miller (Bell), Unai; Gallego, Hyde; Whitley (Howe), Derry; Collins; Garside (Scott), Berry. BOOKED: Miller.

 

The miracle was over - and I wasn't surprised. If you're being outplayed at home by a lower-half team like Huddersfield, you don't even deserve to be in the play-off position.

 

This result also confirmed in my mind that certain players were not good enough to stay with us for the next phase of our Division 1 adventure. Hyde especially was hopeless at this level, so when Division 3 Plymouth offered to sign him on a free transfer for next season, I was happy to let them have him.

 

Former captain Barry Miller would also be leaving in the summer. His contract was up for renewal, but at the age of 34 and with his performances declining, there was no point in a renewal. Barry would be given a fitting Aggborough send-off in our final home game of the season against Notts County on 1 May.

 

With nothing at stake in our last three matches, I decided to use the opportunity to blood some of our younger players. Teenagers Bradley Howe, Jamie Berry and Paul Graham all started, as did 21-year-old right-back Paul Fowler, when we visited an Aston Villa side who had recently secured their survival.

 

23 APRIL 2010: Aston Villa vs Kidderminster Harriers

Aston Villa's experienced goalkeeper Sander Westerveld almost gifted us the opening goal after 18 minutes. The 35-year-old Dutchman's goal kick was cut out by Robert Garside, who sent Jamie Berry clean through to score. Sadly, the 18-year-old's dream of scoring at Villa Park was snatched from him, as the offside flag was raised against his strike partner Paul Graham.

 

Villa bounced back from their scare to break the deadlock in the 25th minute. Graeme McCulloch had been one of the stand-out players in Division 1 this season, and the explosive centre-forward got his 25th goal contribution of the campaign with a savage strike from Youssef Safri's through-ball. To further compound our misery, 17-year-old midfielder Bradley Howe was forced off just six minutes later after straining his ankle ligaments.

 

Things seemed to be taking a turn for the better in the 44th minute, as Berry capped off a fine passing move by executing a cool low finish that could not be taken away from him. Unfortunately, our lead lasted barely a minute before Shaun Derry mindlessly gave away possession, allowing Villa to launch a quick counter-attack that ended with McCulloch scoring again. 2-1 to the hosts at half-time.

 

If our youngsters looked overawed playing at the biggest stadium in the league, though, they did a fine job of hiding it. Six minutes after the restart, Lee Watson fed the ball out right to wing-back Paul Fowler, who was making his first league start of the season. Fowler marked the occasion with his first senior assist, delivering a sweet cross that namesake Graham headed in, silencing around 25,000 home fans!

 

The Villans sought a response through one of their emerging talents - Wales Under-21s midfielder Gareth Davies, whose 71st-minute volley hit the post. Davies also created an opportunity for the more experienced Irish international Stephen McPhail, but a strong save from John Forde kept our share of the spoils. Regardless of where the teams were in the table, a 2-2 draw at Villa Park was still a fine result as far as I was concerned!

 

Aston Villa - 2 (McCulloch 25,45)

Kidderminster Harriers - 2 (Berry 44, Graham 51)

Division 1, Attendance 28,506 - POSITIONS: Aston Villa 18th, Kidderminster 12th

KIDDERMINSTER LINE-UP (3-5-2 Attacking): Forde; Heikkinen, Campbell, Bell; Fowler, Unai (Fitzgerald); Howe (Watson), Derry; Garside (Collins); Graham, Berry.

 

Sadly, Howe's knee injury meant he would play no further part in our season. Worryingly, it was the second time Bradley had hurt that knee in barely a month. We've already got one fragile young midfielder in the squad, and I really don't want another!

Edited March 27 by CFuller

[CFuller]

DIVISION 1 TABLE (End of April 2010)

Pos     Team                            Pld  Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Pts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st  Pl Wolves                          44   17   2    3    53   24   9    4    9    34   36   84   
2nd  Pl Bradford                        44   15   4    3    37   22   10   5    7    42   32   84   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd  Pl Grimsby                         45   18   3    1    42   15   6    8    9    27   35   83   
4th  Pl Coventry                        44   11   6    5    37   20   11   7    4    36   25   79   
5th  Pl West Ham                        44   14   4    4    31   14   9    3    10   37   39   76   
6th  Pl Birmingham                      44   10   7    5    47   33   11   5    6    42   33   75   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7th     Notts Co                        44   13   6    3    33   17   5    8    9    35   36   68   
8th     Charlton                        44   12   5    5    33   17   6    9    7    25   26   68   
9th     Preston                         44   13   5    3    40   22   6    6    11   27   33   68   
10th    Chesterfield                    44   7    7    8    22   23   11   3    8    30   32   64   
11th    W.B.A.                          44   10   7    5    36   24   6    8    8    28   32   63   
12th    Sheff Utd                       44   9    9    5    36   24   7    6    8    21   25   63   
13th    Torquay                         44   12   7    3    41   22   4    8    10   16   27   63   
14th    Carlisle                        44   9    8    5    28   19   7    7    8    29   31   63   
15th    Dag & Red                       44   10   6    6    24   14   7    6    9    15   20   63   
16th    Kidderminster                   44   11   4    7    32   30   7    5    10   29   29   63   
17th    Huddersfield                    44   6    7    9    25   31   8    3    11   21   36   52   
18th    Aston Villa                     44   9    9    4    45   35   1    8    13   18   37   47   
19th    Norwich                         44   6    3    13   39   47   6    7    9    34   38   46   
20th    Nottm Forest                    44   6    4    12   34   45   6    4    12   35   47   44   
21st    Fulham                          44   9    7    6    26   22   1    6    15   12   34   43   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22nd R  Brentford                       44   7    5    10   30   36   2    4    16   13   46   36   
23rd R  Derby                           45   7    6    10   40   48   2    1    19   21   61   34   
24th R  Peterborough                    44   3    5    14   22   36   1    5    16   13   43   22   

 

ELSEWHERE IN FOOTBALL...

• Cristiano Ronaldo is named PFA Player of the Year after reaching 28 Premiership goals in his debut season at Chelsea. However, Ronaldo fails to deliver in the Champions League Quarter Finals, as the Blues are beaten 5-2 on aggregate by runaway Serie A champions Lazio. Also in the last four are Barcelona, Manchester United… and Real Madrid, who see off arch-rivals Atlético Madrid.
• Celtic close in on their first European trophy since 1967, as they bounce back from a first-leg defeat to knock out Liverpool 3-1 and reach the UEFA Cup Final. Rangers almost make it an Old Firm derby, but Ivan Franceschini's 73rd-minute strike at Ibrox sends Bologna through on away goals.
• Millwall's FA Cup fairytale ends at the Semi Finals. The Division 2 Lions defend brilliantly against Premiership leaders Arsenal at Craven Cottage but are beaten by a 30th-minute Christian Wilhelmsson penalty. Arsène Wenger's Gunners face their title rivals Liverpool in the Final, as the Reds see off Southampton on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Meanwhile, Bolton battle past Leicester to win the League Cup, much to Glenn Hoddle's disgust.
• Tottenham drop out of the top flight for the first time since the 1970s, as a 3-2 loss to Crystal Palace confirms their Premiership relegation. Everton survive, but still decide to sack Walter Smith after 12 years in charge. Smith is replaced at Kings Dock by ex-England captain Alan Shearer, whose only previous managerial experience was a two-month spell at Peterhead in Scottish Division 1.
• Lazio and Barcelona regain their Italian and Spanish championships with ease, and a second-half wobble from VfB Stuttgart allows Dortmund to snatch the Bundesliga title. At least there is a proper title race in Ligue 1, as Lille leapfrog Toulouse with four matches to go, while Monaco and holders Marseille remain in the hunt.

 

IN OTHER NEWS...

• The Deepwater Horizon drilling rig explodes off the coast of Louisiana, killing 11 workers and spilling over 130 million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. It is one of the most devastating environmental disasters in history.
• The Eyjafjallajökull volcano erupts, causing a massive ash cloud that disrupts flights across northern and western Europe. One Scottish traveller declares on live TV, "I hate Iceland", and says he will only shop at Asda from now on.
• Poland's President Lech Kaczyński and his wife Maria are among 96 people killed when their plane crashes in thick fog near the Russian city of Smolensk. The group had flown out from Warsaw to attend an event commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Katyn massacre, in which around 22,000 Poles were executed by the Soviet Union.
• Spanish sports administrator Juan Antonio Samaranch dies aged 89. In terms of International Olympic Committee Presidents, he was the "best ever"... if you ignore all the corruption, and his support for Franco.

[CFuller]

MAY 2010

Having harboured play-off hopes at the start of April, Kidderminster Harriers ended it with a four-game winless run that left those dreams in tatters. We had fallen from 9th place to 16th, which thankfully was the lowest we could now go.

 

With two matches remaining, we only had a couple of minor targets to aim for. The first of them was to improve on the Harriers’ best ever league finish - 13th place, which they managed when Jan Mølby first took them up to this level in 2005/2006.

 

The second was to better their 68-point tally from that campaign. We were on 63 points, so we would need to win both of our final two matches to move onto 69 points. That would be nice.

 

Our last home match of the season was against Notts County. The Magpies were 7th but were out of play-off contention after a disappointing campaign, which had cost manager Brian Little the job he'd held since 2001. We also still had a chance of finishing ahead of County in the final standings, though that would of course require us to win this match.

 

As well as giving some gametime to exciting young talents like Paul Graham and Jamie Berry, this match would serve as an Aggborough farewell to Barry Miller. The 34-year-old centre-back would captain us for one final time before his departure at the end of the season.

 

1 MAY 2010: Kidderminster Harriers vs Notts County

What should have been a celebration of an encouraging first season back in Division 1 quickly turned sour. After Notts County goalkeeper Christopher Kirkland saved a pot-shot from our midfielder Shaun Derry in the third minute, the Magpies quickly went up the other end and scored a minute later. Peter Watson's cross was headed in by his French strike partner Doudou, leaving our plans in... well, you know.

 

We now had to keep our discipline - but one of our youngest players couldn’t do that. After losing the ball to County defender David Partridge, 21-year-old Harriers right-back Paul Fowler lost his head and kicked out at the Welsh international. Worse, he did it right in front of the referee, who sent Fowler the fouler off to a very early shower!

 

Our 10 men were quickly overwhelmed, as Notts County doubled their lead on 18 minutes. Leon Britton's cross found Watson, who needed a couple of attempts to beat John Forde and score his 17th goal of the campaign.

 

After Fowler's red card, César Gallego had come on for David Collins to fill the right-back vacancy. The Spaniard hadn't seen much action this season, but he proved his worth in the 35th minute, exchanging passes with Paul Graham before the latter went through to pull one goal back. Would the 19-year-old's eighth goal of the season kick off another Harriers fightback?

 

No, it wouldn't. By the 60th minute, Notts County had restored their two-goal cushion. Paul Hill - a 24-year-old midfielder who was closing in on 250 games for his hometown club - got ahead of Forde to finish another devastating cross from Britton. Unsurprisingly, Britton would be named 'man of the match' after a tremendous playmaking performance from the right wing.

 

Hill's performance wasn't perfect, though. A clumsy tackle on Jamie Berry in the 80th minute gave us a penalty, and potentially our last chance to get back in the game. Graham stepped forward to try and pull the deficit back to 3-2, but Kirkland easily saved his spot-kick, ending our home season on a sour note.

 

Kidderminster Harriers - 1 (Graham 35)

Notts County - 3 (Doudou 4, Watson 18, Hill 60)

Division 1, Attendance 6,569 - POSITIONS: Kidderminster 16th, Notts County 7th

KIDDERMINSTER LINE-UP (3-5-2 Attacking): Forde; Bell, Miller (Heikkinen), Unai; Fowler, T Simpson; Watson, Derry; Collins (Gallego); Graham, Berry (Scott). BOOKED: T Simpson. SENT OFF: Fowler.

 

Well, that was not how I wanted to send off the Aggborough crowd for the season. Another defensive disaster added to a growing list, and right-back Paul Fowler might just have thrown away any chance he had of becoming a first-team regular.

 

The record points tally had slipped away, but there was still a chance that we could finish in the top half and make this Kidderminster's best season on that front. To do that, we would need to win at The Hawthorns against West Brom, who sat three places ahead of us in 13th, but only on goal difference.

 

After his recent dip in form, I did the unthinkable - and dropped our loanee goalkeeper John Forde from the starting XI. While finding a new long-term goalkeeper would be top of the list when it came to summer signings, I decided to give one more opportunity to Espen Baardsen. The Norwegian had started the season poorly, but could this former Baggie at least finish it in style?

 

9 MAY 2010: West Bromwich Albion vs Kidderminster Harriers

Espen Baardsen faced his first test after 23 minutes. West Brom right-back Sam Stockley picked out left-winger Chris Baker with an incisive cross, but the 23-year-old's shot was tipped behind by an alert Baardsen. The veteran goalie also managed to keep out Baggies captain Neil Clement's header from Darren Lippiett's corner.

 

We had a few scoring chances ourselves, the best of which came eight minutes before half-time. Jamie Berry's free-kick was half-volleyed goalwards by David Collins, who drew an awkward parry out of Albion keeper Panagiotis Dilberis. The first man onto the loose ball was midfielder Lee Watson, who fired the rebound home and - more importantly - didn't hurt himself in the process!

 

The second half was a surprisingly comfortable affair, as the Baggies' attacks fizzled out almost as quickly as their season had. For the second time this season, I managed to get the better of my old nemesis Frank Yallop, who watched his Finnish midfield substitute Henri Myntti limp off injured in the closing stages.

 

Two minutes before the final whistle, one of Kidderminster's star men delivered the perfect ending to our campaign. After Clement had fouled Robert Garside about 30 yards from the West Brom goal, Shaun Derry lined up a free-kick - and hammered it past Dilberis for 2-0! After five winless games in a row, we had finished the season on a victorious note!

 

West Bromwich Albion - 0

Kidderminster Harriers - 2 (Watson 37, Derry 88)

Division 1, Attendance 14,652 - POSITIONS: West Brom 15th, Kidderminster 12th

KIDDERMINSTER LINE-UP (3-5-2 Attacking): Baardsen; Heikkinen, Campbell, Unai; Berntsson, T Simpson; Watson (Robinson), Derry; Collins (S Simpson); Graham (Garside), Berry. BOOKED: Berntsson.

 

And that's all she wrote! Kidderminster finish 12th in Division 1, making this officially the greatest season in the club's history!

 

Back in November, that would have seemed imaginable. A rocky first half to the season left us scrapping for our Division 1 lives - but since calling on the expertise of Sol Campbell, we had taken an incredible 46 points from 26 matches. A full season like that would have put this little Worcestershire club in the play-off places - and potentially even knocking on the door of automatic promotion!

 

In a way, this campaign was similar to my first season at this level - with Dagenham & Redbridge back in 2006/2007. They also took a long time to settle into Division 1 before hitting form in the second half of the season. But while that Daggers team couldn't sustain their form and ultimately stayed up by just one point, my Harriers grew stronger month by month, and had already secured survival in the middle of March!

 

This team was made of sterner stuff, with plenty of quality across nearly all the team. Unai's addition to the defence was almost as vital as Campbell's, as they formed a solid (and very experienced) back three alongside Markus Heikkinen. We also had plenty of relatively youthful energy out wide, with both Terry Simpson and Billy Berntsson delivering impressive performances from wing-back.

 

This season saw the emergence of Lee Watson as an exciting playmaking talent. The 23-year-old had provided 10 goal contributions in 30 games - a tally that would have been even more impressive had it not been for those pesky injuries. Holding midfielder Shaun Derry also impressed in his third spell at Aggborough, protecting the defence superbly while also delivering a team-high nine assists - mainly from his deadly set-pieces.

 

Teenage strikers Graham and Berry got a combined 17 goals in their first season as regular senior players. The apprentices have certainly learnt a lot from their master - David Collins, who didn't quite match his free-scoring heroics of last season but still led the way with 14 goals.

 

Collins' performances would see him named as the Kidderminster Fans' Player of the Year for a second season in a row. Personally, I would have given that honour to left-back Terry Simpson, whose performances will surely attract fresh interest from Premiership clubs over the summer.

 

There really is a lot to like about this team, and I'm really excited about our prospects as we head into that tricky second season. Sadly, we will have to head into the next campaign without another of our most experienced players.

 

Carl Robinson's time at Aggborough had not been a rip-roaring success - his average rating across 33 matches was a lowly 6.73 - but the former Wales midfielder always exuded calmness and professionalism. I was not surprised, then, when Carl was offered a job by Welsh Premier League side Newtown to be their new player-manager.

 

After mulling things over for almost a week, Robinson told me that he was going to take up Newtown's offer and leave the Harriers. Carl was now 33 years old, and his best days as a footballer were behind him, which his exclusion from Wales' 2010 World Cup squad had made perfectly clear. He was now looking forward to a fresh challenge in management, for which I wished him the very best of luck.

[CFuller]

DIVISION 1 TABLE (End of 2009/2010 season)

Pos     Team                            Pld  Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Pts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st  C  Wolves                          46   18   2    3    54   24   9    5    9    36   38   88   
2nd  P  Bradford                        46   16   4    3    39   23   10   6    7    43   33   88   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd  P  Coventry                        46   12   6    5    40   21   12   7    4    37   25   85   
4th     Grimsby                         46   18   4    1    43   16   6    8    9    27   35   84   
5th     Birmingham                      46   11   7    5    53   34   12   5    6    43   33   81   
6th     West Ham                        46   15   4    4    33   15   9    4    10   38   40   80   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7th     Notts Co                        46   13   7    3    33   17   6    8    9    38   37   72   
8th     Preston                         46   14   5    4    42   23   6    6    11   27   33   71   
9th     Charlton                        46   12   5    6    33   18   6    10   7    26   27   69   
10th    Torquay                         46   13   7    3    43   22   4    9    10   16   27   67   
11th    Chesterfield                    46   8    7    8    25   23   11   3    9    30   34   67   
12th    Kidderminster                   46   11   4    8    33   33   8    5    10   31   29   66   
13th    Carlisle                        46   9    9    5    29   20   7    8    8    29   31   65   
14th    Dag & Red                       46   10   7    6    24   14   7    6    10   15   21   64   
15th    W.B.A.                          46   10   7    6    36   26   6    8    9    29   34   63   
16th    Sheff Utd                       46   9    9    5    36   24   7    6    10   21   28   63   
17th    Huddersfield                    46   7    7    9    26   31   8    4    11   21   36   56   
18th    Aston Villa                     46   10   9    4    46   35   1    8    14   18   38   50   
19th    Nottm Forest                    46   6    5    12   36   47   7    4    12   37   48   48   
20th    Norwich                         46   6    4    13   39   47   6    7    10   35   40   47   
21st    Fulham                          46   9    8    6    28   24   1    7    15   14   36   45   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22nd R  Brentford                       46   7    6    10   31   37   2    4    17   13   49   37   
23rd R  Derby                           46   7    6    10   40   48   2    1    20   22   64   34   
24th R  Peterborough                    46   3    5    15   23   38   1    5    17   14   49   22   

 

ELSEWHERE IN FOOTBALL...

• Arsenal see off a strong challenge from Liverpool to win their first Premiership title since 2002, with captain Patrice Evra and new England midfielder Craig Ward both in inspirational form. The Gunners also claim a third domestic Double, as Michael Jack's 70th-minute strike overcomes Liverpool again in the FA Cup Final. Sunderland and Crewe both join Tottenham in being relegated to Division 1.
• Manchester United have to settle for 4th place behind Chelsea, but an extra-time win over Real Madrid sends the Red Devils through to a Champions League Final against holders Barcelona. Things look good for United when Rodrigo Taddei opens the scoring after just six minutes in Saint-Denis. However, Barca eventually find their feet, with goals from Luis García, Patrick Kluivert and Lionel Messi giving them a 3-1 win that retains their crown.
• Thousands of Scots descend upon Wembley for the UEFA Cup Final as Celtic face Bologna. Despite conceding to Federico Magallanes in the 2nd minute and having Jordan Stewart sent off in the 26th, the Bhoys equalise through midfielder Andrew Nixon and take the game to penalties. After Welsh keeper Karl Lloyd saves Magallanes' spot-kick, Marvin Andrews scores his, securing the Scottish Premier League champions a famous 4-3 win!
• After former Serie A champions Inter fall to 6th place, Héctor Raúl Cúper is ousted as head coach and replaced with Bayern München's Ottmar Hitzfeld. Norwegian Vegard Skogheim ends a year-long stay in Argentina to become Bayern's new manager, and he is replaced at River Plate by... Héctor Raúl Cúper! It's the good ol' job swap triangle!
• The Ligue 1 season reaches a thrilling climax. Lille beat Paris-SG 1-0 on the final day... but it's not enough, as Marseille thrash fellow contenders Toulouse 4-0 and secure a fourth successive title by two points! Toulouse don't go away empty-handed, as starlet Frédéric David scores the winner against Nancy in the Coupe de France Final.

 

IN OTHER NEWS...

• Gordon Brown is ousted as UK Prime Minister when the general election ends with Labour losing their majority after 13 years in power. Conservative leader and new PM David Cameron promises to build a 'Big Society' after forming a coalition with Nick Clegg's Liberal Democrats. Good luck with that, seeing as there's no money left!
• The 55th Eurovision Song Contest takes place in Oslo, where an enthusiastically epic Moldovan saxophonist steals the show. However, the contest is won by Lena - a kooky 18-year-old who sings in a bizarre Cockney accent about painting her toenails and buying blue underwear. She is basically Germany's answer to Kate Nash.
• R&B singer Kelis screams at rapper Nas, “I HATE YOU SO MUCH RIGHT NOW,” and their 5-year marriage ends in divorce. Meanwhile, Canadian country star Shania Twain says that producer husband Mutt Lange don’t impress her much, and they too split up after 14 years.

Edited March 27 by CFuller

[CFuller]

KIDDERMINSTER PLAYER STATISTICS (2009/2010)

Goalkeepers                    Apps     Con    Asts   Yel    Red    MoM    Av R
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1   Baardsen, Espen            4        5      0      0      0      0      6.00   
26  Forde, John                22       29     0      0      0      2      6.95   
*   Jowsey, James              19       25     0      0      0      1      7.32   
*   Mooney, Noel               4        9      0      0      0      0      6.50   

Outfield Players               Apps     Gls    Asts   Yel    Red    MoM    Av R
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11  Aðalsteinsson, Baldur      3 (1)    0      0      0      0      0      5.75   
4   Bell, Simon                20 (7)   0      0      4      0      2      6.78   
17  Berntsson, Billy           29 (3)   1      2      1      0      2      7.41   
9   Berry, Jamie               33 (7)   9      5      2      0      0      6.95   
32  Campbell, Sol              22       1      0      4      0      0      7.23   
*   Carter, Ryan               2        0      0      0      0      0      6.00   
31  Collins, David             32 (5)   14     2      3      0      3      7.08   
*   Cross, Gavin               2 (3)    0      1      0      0      0      6.80   
12  Derry, Shaun               35 (3)   3      9      5      0      0      7.05   
34  Fitzgerald, Kevin          0 (2)    0      0      0      0      0      7.00   
27  Fowler, Paul               4 (3)    0      1      0      1      0      6.43   
7   Gallego, César             4 (15)   0      2      0      0      0      6.74   
10  Garside, Robert            20 (8)   4      7      0      0      1      6.82   
22  Graham, Paul               13 (17)  8      0      2      0      1      6.60   
19  Gray, Alan                 11 (13)  0      3      1      0      0      6.92   
6   Heikkinen, Markus          37 (4)   3      2      6      1      2      7.00   
37  Howe, Bradley              3 (5)    0      0      0      0      0      6.38   
18  Hyde, Kevin                5 (3)    0      0      1      0      0      6.50   
21  Miller, Barry              26 (2)   0      1      1      0      0      6.79   
*   Modigh, Daniel             0 (1)    0      0      0      0      0      6.00   
20  Morfitt, Adrian            15       1      3      1      0      2      7.27   
5   Redhe, Tobias              9 (3)    0      0      2      0      2      7.08   
15  Robinson, Carl             27 (6)   1      5      2      0      0      6.73   
24  Samba, Cherno              11       10     1      0      0      2      8.00   
23  Scott, Alan                20 (4)   2      1      0      0      0      6.50   
16  Simpson, Scott             12 (11)  4      3      0      0      0      6.70   
3   Simpson, Terry             33 (3)   0      5      9      0      4      7.36   
2   Unai                       29 (1)   1      0      5      1      1      7.00   
14  Watson, Lee                26 (4)   5      5      1      0      2      6.90   
33  Whitley, Jeff              7 (3)    1      0      2      0      0      6.60   

* [Player not currently at club]

[CFuller]

JUNE 2010

As football fans across the globe looked ahead to the 2010 World Cup in Argentina, we at Kidderminster Harriers were planning for another season in Division 1. Having finished 12th in our first campaign back at this level, our target now was to consolidate our status in the second tier - and avoid another outbreak of 'second season syndrome'.

 

When I sat down with chairman Darren Gibson for our end-of-season meeting, the first thing on the agenda was a new contract for yours truly. My two-year deal with the Harriers was almost up, and Darren didn’t hesitate to offer me a new one - with a big pay rise. This would run for another two seasons, taking me to the end of 2011/2012, but I also negotiated a release clause, in case a ‘bigger’ club should call for my services.

 

Another reason to stay was that the chairman had been true to his word by upgrading our training facilities. These upgrades didn't come cheap - costing us well over £1million - but at least the players would be working with facilities worthy of full-time professionals.

 

A further expansion to Aggborough was briefly mooted as well. We had recorded an average home attendance of 6,456 - peaking at 6,598 against Nottingham Forest in February - but this was still some way short of the 7,237 capacity. The chairman was also reluctant to convert the 5,000 standing capacity and make Aggborough an all-seater stadium, having sought feedback from supporters.

 

Nonetheless, I was satisfied with the progress the club was making. Pen went to paper, and my new contract was signed.

 

Having committed my future to the Harriers, I sought to improve my backroom. The retirement of long-time physiotherapist Jimmy Conway at age 63 left some big boots to fill, so I replaced him with two physios. 42-year-old Alex Anderson arrived from Scottish amateur side Lossiemouth United, and he was accompanied by 53-year-old Englishman Ian Bailey.

 

Scout Paul Blades had also left the club and was picked up by Northwich Victoria, who'd just secured a return to Division 3. In his place, we hired Thanapant Singhapant - a 35-year-old Thai-born Briton who had spent the last seven years working for Anatoliko in Greece.

 

Meanwhile, Lee Matthews announced that - at the age of 37 - he was hanging up his boots to join our coaching team full-time. Matthews had not played for the first-team since joining us from Dagenham & Redbridge last season, though he did feature sporadically for the reserves.

 

A number of players left the club altogether. John Forde's latest loan spell had expired, and the 21-year-old Irish goalkeeper decided to sign a new contract with Newcastle instead of potentially joining us permanently. Cherno Samba also went back to the north-east after scoring 10 goals in 11 games, though his long-term future at Middlesbrough remained in doubt.

 

Former captain Barry Miller bade farewell to Aggborough after three years of fantastic central defensive service. Miller had provided some much-needed stability after their relegation back to Division 2 under Lennie Lawrence, and he was integral to our promotion in my first season as manager. Sadly, Barry wasn't quite up to Division 1 standard, and the 34-year-old was now looking to see out his career at a lower level.

 

Jeff Whitley - another player who had previously skippered the Harriers - agreed to cancel the last two years of his contract and look for a new club. The defensive midfielder had grown disillusioned with life in the Midlands and wanted to spend more time with his family up north. Icelandic winger Baldur Aðalsteinsson also accepted an early termination of his deal, having featured just four times for us this season.

 

Lastly, I allowed Kevin Hyde to join Plymouth on a free transfer. You had to be a bloody good left-back to try and keep Terry Simpson out of this Kiddy team, but Kevin just couldn’t reach that level. After making only seven league appearances in a season spent predominantly in the reserves, the 24-year-old dropped back to Division 3, where he had played so well for his previous club Leyton Orient.

 

Though we hadn't brought in any additional transfer funds, the latest influx of TV money meant I still had a healthy budget to play with - around £2.6million. Naturally, I stuck to my frugal ways.

 

My number 1 priority was to sign a new goalkeeper, ideally for the long haul (in other words, more than two seasons). I wanted to bring back James Jowsey after his excellent performances on loan earlier in the season, but Manchester City were demanding a ridiculous fee to sell the 26-year-old. Pretty much every other good young - or young-ish - goalkeeper was overpriced, so I had little choice but to look for experience.

 

Eventually, I agreed a £50,000 fee to sign David Preece from Tranmere, who had the best defensive record in Division 2 this season. Preece might be celebrating his 34th birthday in August, but he's a brave and agile shotstopper with a very professional attitude. If anything, he should at least be an upgrade on Espen Baardsen.

 

Carl Robinson's departure last month left a vacancy in midfield, so I decided to fill it with another veteran. 33-year-old box-to-box midfielder (and occasional centre-half) Jim Brennan arrived on a free transfer from Coventry, having played a bit-role part in their Division 1 play-off success. Brennan has also played 67 times for Canada since making his international debut in 1999.

 

I've also continued to build for the future, signing a couple of 17-year-olds for our reserve team. Ryan McCann is a determined centre-back from Northern Ireland, while John McQuade could be the next young Scottish striker to break through at Aggborough.

 

I'm sure there'll be one or two more new faces at Kidderminster by the time we kick off the new Division 1 season against Aston Villa on 14 August. Right now, though, I'm confident that the squad we have is strong enough to sustain ourselves at this level.

[CFuller]

ELSEWHERE IN FOOTBALL...

• The World Cup kicks off in Argentina... but the hosts and holders don't last long. After drawing their first two games and needing to beat Costa Rica to qualify for the knockout rounds, the Albiceleste are knocked out on penalties by a rejuvenated Spain. The AFA fire head coach Marcelo Bielsa and order him to sit on a bucket for the rest of his career.
• The FIFA World Rankings prove to be as reliable as ever. Copa América runners-up Colombia start the tournament as the number 1 team in the world, but despite the impressive form of Juventus forward John Jairo Yepes, they are knocked out at the Group Stage. Africa Cup of Nations runners-up Nigeria are ranked number 2 - and they finish bottom of a group that also includes France, Greece and Poland!
• The two Home Nations have mixed fortunes after being drawn against each other in Group D. After Craig Bellamy gives Wales a 1-0 win over England, Mark Hughes' Dragons go on to top their group unbeaten before seeing off Greece 3-2 to reach the Quarter Finals. Meanwhile, England limp through after a late equaliser against Mexico, and then whimper out 3-0 to France.
• Italy's hopes of winning a record fifth World Cup go up in flames after an ill-tempered Round 2 defeat to Russia. Azzurri captain Francesco Totti is sent off for a reckless tackle on Andrey Arshavin... and responds by PUNCHING the referee, copping the Roma legend a six-month ban! Barcelona defender Fernando Zaniratto also sees red for the Italians, who eventually lose 4-1.
• Following Wycombe's relegation to Division 3, manager Ryan Giggs calls a press conference and announces he will resign... from playing. The 36-year-old 'Welsh Wizard' hangs up his boots to focus on taking the Chairboys back up to Division 2, with the assistance of his coaches Chris Woods, Neil Lennon and Dean Smith.

 

IN OTHER NEWS...

• Woody, Buzz Lightyear and all their friends return in "Toy Story 3", which becomes an overwhelming success both critically and commercially. A word of warning before you watch it: you will cry.
• Julia Gillard is sworn in as Australia's new Prime Minister after being elected leader of the ruling Labor Party, succeeding Kevin Rudd. 48-year-old Gillard makes history... as the first person born in old South Wales to lead the Aussie government.
• Chris Sievey - the Mancunian comedian best-known for wearing a large papier-mâché head - dies from cancer at the age of just 54. There will never be another character quite like Frank Sidebottom.
• American John Isner plays against Frenchman Nicolas Mahut in the first round of the Wimbledon tennis tournament. After an epic contest that lasts 11 hours and is played over three days, Isner prevails 70-68 in the fifth set. By the time the match finishes, the ball boys and girls are all in their 50s and suffering from crippling arthritis.

Edited September 22, 2023 by CFuller

[CFuller]

SEASON REVIEW 2009/2010

ENGLAND

NOTE: All goals and assist records relate to league matches only.

 

PREMIERSHIP

Pos     Team                            Pld  Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Pts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st  C  Arsenal                         38   14   3    2    34   13   13   4    2    29   12   88   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd     Liverpool                       38   14   4    1    30   4    11   6    2    30   11   85   
3rd     Chelsea                         38   16   2    1    40   9    9    3    7    34   21   80   
4th     Man Utd                         38   16   3    0    47   7    8    4    7    19   17   79   
5th     Blackburn                       38   12   4    3    40   23   8    3    8    22   21   67   
6th     Leeds                           38   12   3    4    32   6    7    6    6    16   14   66   
7th     Man City                        38   11   5    3    27   13   3    8    8    17   26   55   
8th     Newcastle                       38   10   2    7    37   26   6    4    9    24   35   54   
9th     Middlesbrough                   38   11   5    3    31   15   4    4    11   21   40   54   
10th    Southampton                     38   8    6    5    22   19   7    0    12   17   27   51   
11th    Sheff Wed                       38   8    7    4    23   16   5    3    11   22   33   49   
12th    Crystal Palace                  38   10   1    8    25   21   4    5    10   14   21   48   
13th    Stoke                           38   7    6    6    11   12   3    7    9    11   21   43   
14th    Everton                         38   9    6    4    18   11   1    6    12   13   31   42   
15th    Burnley                         38   6    7    6    29   27   4    4    11   20   35   41   
16th    Ipswich                         38   6    6    7    14   15   2    9    8    15   29   39   
17th    Bolton                          38   6    4    9    15   20   4    5    10   11   26   39   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18th R  Sunderland                      38   4    6    9    25   33   3    1    15   9    32   28   
19th R  Tottenham                       38   5    2    12   24   39   1    3    15   10   43   23   
20th R  Crewe                           38   4    4    11   15   31   2    1    16   6    44   23   

 

Top Goalscorer - Cristiano Ronaldo (Chelsea): 30.

Most Assists - Matthew Hamshaw (Sheff Wed), Seth Johnson (Middlesbrough): 10.

Highest Average Rating - Cristiano Ronaldo (Chelsea): 8.44.

 

PFA Player of the Year - Cristiano Ronaldo (Chelsea).

PFA Young Player of the Year - Ken Josefsson (Crystal Palace).

 

DIVISION 1

Pos     Team                            Pld  Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Pts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st  C  Wolves                          46   18   2    3    54   24   9    5    9    36   38   88   
2nd  P  Bradford                        46   16   4    3    39   23   10   6    7    43   33   88   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd  P  Coventry                        46   12   6    5    40   21   12   7    4    37   25   85   
4th     Grimsby                         46   18   4    1    43   16   6    8    9    27   35   84   
5th     Birmingham                      46   11   7    5    53   34   12   5    6    43   33   81   
6th     West Ham                        46   15   4    4    33   15   9    4    10   38   40   80   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7th     Notts Co                        46   13   7    3    33   17   6    8    9    38   37   72   
8th     Preston                         46   14   5    4    42   23   6    6    11   27   33   71   
9th     Charlton                        46   12   5    6    33   18   6    10   7    26   27   69   
10th    Torquay                         46   13   7    3    43   22   4    9    10   16   27   67   
11th    Chesterfield                    46   8    7    8    25   23   11   3    9    30   34   67   
12th    Kidderminster                   46   11   4    8    33   33   8    5    10   31   29   66   
13th    Carlisle                        46   9    9    5    29   20   7    8    8    29   31   65   
14th    Dag & Red                       46   10   7    6    24   14   7    6    10   15   21   64   
15th    W.B.A.                          46   10   7    6    36   26   6    8    9    29   34   63   
16th    Sheff Utd                       46   9    9    5    36   24   7    6    10   21   28   63   
17th    Huddersfield                    46   7    7    9    26   31   8    4    11   21   36   56   
18th    Aston Villa                     46   10   9    4    46   35   1    8    14   18   38   50   
19th    Nottm Forest                    46   6    5    12   36   47   7    4    12   37   48   48   
20th    Norwich                         46   6    4    13   39   47   6    7    10   35   40   47   
21st    Fulham                          46   9    8    6    28   24   1    7    15   14   36   45   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22nd R  Brentford                       46   7    6    10   31   37   2    4    17   13   49   37   
23rd R  Derby                           46   7    6    10   40   48   2    1    20   22   64   34   
24th R  Peterborough                    46   3    5    15   23   38   1    5    17   14   49   22   

 

DIVISION 2

Pos     Team                            Pld  Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Pts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st  C  Bristol City                    46   14   5    4    39   25   14   4    5    35   28   93   
2nd  P  Swindon                         46   17   3    3    42   16   10   3    10   38   39   87   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd  P  Millwall                        46   15   5    3    43   18   10   5    8    40   33   85   
4th     Reading                         46   15   5    3    47   25   8    9    6    37   34   83   
5th     Doncaster                       46   14   5    4    42   28   10   6    7    33   29   83   
6th     Leicester                       46   13   8    2    50   27   9    6    8    23   26   80   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7th     Luton                           46   13   5    5    36   15   7    7    9    19   24   72   
8th     Northampton                     46   14   3    6    53   34   6    6    11   35   48   69   
9th     Tranmere                        46   12   6    5    25   16   5    10   8    17   21   67   
10th    Darlington                      46   12   7    4    38   24   4    10   9    25   35   65   
11th    Wrexham                         46   7    10   6    27   24   9    7    7    28   30   65   
12th    Gillingham                      46   11   8    4    38   23   6    5    12   23   33   64   
13th    Hull                            46   12   7    4    44   26   5    6    12   27   41   64   
14th    Shrewsbury                      46   12   5    6    31   23   4    9    10   27   38   62   
15th    Leyton Orient                   46   11   6    6    26   16   5    7    11   25   38   61   
16th    Cambridge Utd                   46   14   4    5    45   30   4    3    16   30   49   61   
17th    Mansfield                       46   9    10   4    29   20   3    9    11   20   30   55   
18th    Oxford                          46   9    5    9    43   40   5    7    11   27   42   54   
19th    Rochdale                        46   11   3    9    40   34   2    5    16   23   59   47   
20th    Q.P.R.                          46   7    5    11   34   43   4    7    12   30   43   45   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
21st R  Wycombe                         46   7    9    7    23   28   2    7    14   16   35   43   
22nd R  Portsmouth                      46   8    9    6    33   27   2    3    18   12   39   42   
23rd R  Watford                         46   7    8    8    39   36   2    4    17   21   51   39   
24th R  Port Vale                       46   4    6    13   23   26   1    2    20   13   45   23   

 

DIVISION 3

Pos     Team                            Pld  Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Pts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st  C  Barnsley                        46   16   5    2    49   23   10   5    8    40   29   88   
2nd  P  Rotherham                       46   12   8    3    37   26   13   3    7    40   32   86   
3rd  P  Macclesfield                    46   15   4    4    45   29   9    9    5    31   25   85   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4th     Scarborough                     46   12   9    2    32   16   11   6    6    27   21   84   
5th     Oldham                          46   15   4    4    36   20   7    7    9    28   31   77   
6th     Colchester                      46   10   8    5    19   11   10   6    7    27   24   74   
7th  P  Cardiff                         46   15   6    2    46   18   4    9    10   30   42   72   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8th     Bury                            46   12   6    5    34   25   8    4    11   36   37   70   
9th     Lincoln                         46   13   6    4    38   21   5    9    9    27   34   69   
10th    Stockport                       46   13   3    7    42   36   7    4    12   35   43   67   
11th    Bristol Rovers                  46   14   6    3    34   13   2    8    13   13   26   62   
12th    Hartlepool                      46   11   6    6    30   22   5    8    10   31   42   62   
13th    Exeter                          46   11   9    3    25   13   2    10   11   7    22   58   
14th    Wigan                           46   10   5    8    45   40   6    4    13   33   41   57   
15th    Plymouth                        46   9    8    6    23   20   3    9    11   18   29   53   
16th    Telford                         46   9    9    5    24   19   2    10   11   11   24   52   
17th    Blackpool                       46   7    8    8    26   27   5    8    10   24   32   52   
18th    Bournemouth                     46   9    10   4    20   12   0    12   11   10   26   49   
19th    Walsall                         46   8    6    9    25   25   4    6    13   19   36   48   
20th    Swansea                         46   8    11   4    31   27   4    1    18   22   47   48   
21st    Scunthorpe                      46   8    8    7    37   42   2    9    12   17   32   47   
22nd    Rushden                         46   7    9    7    28   33   2    11   10   15   31   47   
23rd    Stalybridge                     46   7    5    11   24   34   3    5    15   16   27   40   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
24th R  Brighton                        46   4    11   8    20   25   3    7    13   20   37   39   

 

CONFERENCE

Pos     Team                            Pld  Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Pts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st  C  Northwich Vics                  42   18   1    2    52   19   10   5    6    37   25   90   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd     Bath City                       42   13   4    4    39   25   15   2    4    40   21   90   
3rd     Morecambe                       42   10   6    5    28   17   14   4    3    43   21   82   
4th     Harrow Borough                  42   11   3    7    35   21   11   3    7    27   22   72   
5th     Boston Utd                      42   12   5    4    36   20   8    6    7    20   20   71   
6th     Wimbledon                       42   9    9    3    33   23   10   3    8    35   32   69   
7th     Slough                          42   13   2    6    35   27   7    7    7    28   30   69   
8th     Nuneaton Borough                42   9    7    5    42   32   10   3    8    32   32   67   
9th     Cheltenham                      42   10   3    8    31   24   10   4    7    31   28   67   
10th    Yeovil                          42   7    7    7    43   39   11   1    9    49   45   62   
11th    Hereford                        42   9    7    5    30   22   8    4    9    31   33   62   
12th    Margate                         42   10   5    6    28   24   4    7    10   19   32   54   
13th    Farnborough                     42   10   5    6    32   27   3    7    11   15   29   51   
14th    Barnet                          42   9    3    9    40   34   5    4    12   23   34   49   
15th    York                            42   7    4    10   21   23   5    9    7    26   34   49   
16th    Worksop                         42   5    6    10   26   30   7    6    8    40   41   48   
17th    Salisbury                       42   6    10   5    32   32   5    5    11   24   35   48   
18th    Clevedon                        42   5    4    12   19   34   5    6    10   16   26   40   
19th    Merthyr Tydfil                  42   5    6    10   22   37   4    5    12   24   46   38   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20th R  Southend                        42   4    3    14   29   46   5    7    9    35   38   37   
21st R  Stevenage                       42   7    4    10   29   31   2    5    14   14   35   36   
22nd R  Aldershot                       42   4    2    15   19   40   4    3    14   18   42   29   

 

Promoted to Conference: Canvey Island, Colwyn Bay, Ilkeston Town.

 

FA Cup: Arsenal 1-0 Liverpool.

League Cup: Bolton 1-0 Leicester.

Community Shield: Liverpool 3-2 Man Utd.

Football League Trophy: Swindon 2-0 Hull.

[CFuller]

OTHER LEAGUES

 

FRANCE

Ligue 1

Top Three: Marseille (1st), Lille (2nd), Toulouse (3rd).

Relegated: Le Have (18th), Grenoble (19th), Châteauroux (20th).

Promoted from Ligue 2: Caen (1st), Montpellier (2nd), Nîmes (3rd).

 

Top Goalscorer - Emmanuel Adebayor (St-Etienne): 20.

Most Assists - Camel Meriem (Auxerre): 12.

Highest Average Rating - Francisco Salazar (Toulouse): 8.05.

 

Coupe de France: Toulouse 2-1 Nancy.

Coupe de la Ligue: Marseille 3-0 St-Etienne.

 

GERMANY

1. Bundesliga

Top Three: Dortmund (1st), VfB Stuttgart (2nd), Werder Bremen (3rd).

Relegated: Bielefeld (16th), Bochum (17th), Saarbrücken (18th).

Promoted from 2. Bundesliga: Wolfsburg (1st), St Pauli (2nd), Frankfurt (3rd).

 

Top Goalscorer - Samuel Eto'o (Dortmund), Alexandr Kerzhakov (1.FC Köln), Claudio Pizarro (FC Bayern): 17.

Most Assists - Andrey Arshavin (Dortmund): 15.

Highest Average Rating - Augusto Rodrigues da Silva (Nürnberg): 7.84.

 

DFB-Pokal: Werder Bremen 1-0 1.FC Köln.

DFB-Liga Pokal: 1.FC Köln 0-0 FC Bayern (5-3 penalties).

 

HOLLAND

Eredivisie

Top Three: Ajax (1st), Feyenoord (2nd), PSV (3rd).

Relegated: Telstar (16th), AZ (17th), Eindhoven (18th).

Promoted from Eerste Divisie: ADO (1st), Roda (3rd), Helmond (13th).

 

Top Goalscorer - Zico Tumba (Feyenoord): 18.

Most Assists - Brett Emerton (Feyenoord): 14.

Highest Average Rating - Mateja Kezman (PSV): 7.94.

 

KNVB Beker: Sparta 2-1 PSV.

 

ITALY

Serie A

Top Three: Lazio (1st), Juventus (2nd), Parma (3rd).

Relegated: Lecce (15th), Salernitana (16th), Napoli (17th), Perugia (18th).

Promoted from Serie B: Fiorenzuola (1st), Bari (2nd), Palermo (3rd), Fiorentina (4th).

 

Top Goalscorer - Jon Dahl Tomasson (Lazio): 15.

Most Assists - Daniele De Rossi (Atalanta), Augusto Monti (Vicenza): 10.

Highest Average Rating - Alberto Teixeira (Lazio): 8.00.

 

Coppa Italia: Atalanta 5-4 Lazio (aggregate).

 

PORTUGAL

Primeira Liga

Top Three: Sporting (1st), Porto (2nd), Beira-Mar (3rd).

Relegated: Santa Clara (16th), Salgueiros (17th), Bragança (18th).

Promoted from Segunda Liga: Camacha (1st), Varzim (2nd), Campomaiorense (3rd).

 

Top Goalscorer - Mikhail Drozdov (Leiria/Belenenses): 24.

Most Assists - Michel (Sporting): 21.

Highest Average Rating - Miroslav Klose (Porto): 8.40.

 

Taça de Portugal: Sporting 5-1 Vitória Guimarães.

 

SCOTLAND

Premier League

Top Three: Celtic (1st), Rangers (2nd), Hibs (3rd).

Relegated: Dundee (12th).

Promoted from Division 1: St Mirren (1st).

 

Top Goalscorer - Alan Smith (Rangers), Gordon Weir (Celtic): 25.

Most Assists - Torsten Schultz (Celtic): 15.

Highest Average Rating - Gordon Weir (Celtic): 8.14.

 

Scottish Cup: Rangers 5-0 Aberdeen.

League Cup: Celtic 3-2 Dunfermline.

 

SPAIN

La Liga

Top Three: Barcelona (1st), Atlético Madrid (2nd), Valencia (3rd).

Relegated: Toledo (18th), Extremadura (19th), Éibar (20th).

Promoted from Segunda División: Córdoba (1st), Levante (2nd), Villarreal (3rd).

 

Top Goalscorer - Fernando Torres (Atlético Madrid): 27.

Most Assists - Ariel Ibagaza (Atlético Madrid): 16.

Highest Average Rating - Patrick Kluivert (Barcelona): 8.10.

 

Copa del Rey: Atlético Madrid 4-0 Deportivo.

 

CONTINENTAL & INTERNATIONAL

 

CLUB

Champions League: Barcelona 3-1 Man Utd - in Saint-Denis.

UEFA Cup: Celtic 1-1 Bologna (4-3 penalties) - in London.

Super Cup: Barcelona 2-2 Marseille (8-7 penalties).

 

Intercontinental Cup: Barcelona 4-3 Vasco.

Club World Championship: Metrostars 1-0 HSV.

 

FIFA World Player of the Year - Hernán Jorge Crespo (Lazio & Argentina).

World Footballer of the Year - Cristiano Ronaldo (Chelsea & Portugal).

African Player of the Year - Peter Ofori-Quaye (Hertha BSC & Ghana).

European Player of the Year - Patrick Kluivert (Barcelona & Holland).

South American Player of the Year - Falcao (River & Colombia).

Oceania Player of the Year - Harry Kewell (FC Bayern & Australia).

 

LEADING TRANSFERS (Premiership)

DATE       NAME                        POSITIONS     FROM                TO                  FEE
31/10/09   Gastón Casas                F LC          Betis               Liverpool           £13.5M
26/07/09   Cristiano Ronaldo           F RLC         Sporting            Chelsea             £12.75M
01/02/10   Mikael Forssell             S C           Wolves              Tottenham           £10.25M
20/07/09   Rodrigo Taddei              AM RLC        Porto               Man Utd             £8.25M
21/07/09   Niko Kranjcar               AM LC         Olympiakos          Southampton         £7.5M
03/11/09   Jonathan Woodgate           SW/D C        Leeds               Arsenal             £6.25M
23/11/09   David Jack                  M C           Bradford            Stoke               £6.25M
22/06/10   Felipe Baloy                SW/D C        Birmingham          Sheff Wed           £6M
07/01/10   Joe O'Shea                  S C           Tottenham           Man Utd             £4.8M
17/06/10   Adam Tann                   D RLC         Grimsby             Tottenham           £4.6M

 

LEADING TRANSFERS (not including Premiership)

DATE       NAME                        POSITIONS     FROM                TO                  FEE
02/10/09   Gennaro Ivan Gattuso        DM RC         Milan               Juventus            £16.5M
06/01/10   Wellington da Rosa          F C           Vasco               Nürnberg            £16.5M
11/08/09   Wilfred Bouma               D/DM/F L      Roma                Barcelona           £16M
15/12/09   Miroslav Klose              S C           Kaiserslautern      Porto               £14.5M
01/07/09   Harry Kewell                AM/F LC       Leeds               FC Bayern           £13M
24/08/09   Maxi Rodriguez              AM/F R        Real Madrid         Juventus            £12.5M
01/07/09   Peter Ofori-Quaye           S C           Schalke 04          Hertha BSC          £12M
24/06/09   Simão                       AM RL         Benfica             Marseille           £12M
15/12/09   Ricardo Carvalho            D C           FC Bayern           Real Madrid         £11.25M
30/08/09   Lúcio                       D C           Schalke 04          Roma                £11M

[CFuller]

WORLD CUP REVIEW: ARGENTINA 2010

GROUP A

9 June (Buenos Aires)

Argentina - 1 (Javier Saviola 63)

Portugal - 1 (Carlos Martins 51)

 

9 June (Buenos Aires)

Costa Rica - 0

Paraguay - 3 (Roque Santa Cruz 20,47, Nelson Cuevas 34, Carlos Humberto Paredes s/off50)

 

15 June (Santa Fé)

Portugal - 2 (Nuno Gomes 53, Ramos 63)

Costa Rica - 1 (Paulo Wanchope 62)

 

15 June (Rosario)

Paraguay - 0

Argentina - 0

 

22 June (Avellaneda)

Argentina - 3 (Esteban Cambiasso 8, Maximiliano Estéves 13, Gastón Casas 24)

Costa Rica - 0

 

22 June (Rosario)

Portugal - 1 (Ricardo Quaresma 71)

Paraguay - 0

 

Pos     Team                            Pld  Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Pts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st  Q  Portugal                        3    2    1    0    4    2    7
2nd  Q  Argentina                       3    1    2    0    4    1    5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd     Paraguay                        3    1    1    1    3    1    4
4th     Costa Rica                      3    0    0    3    1    8    0

 

GROUP B

10 June (Santa Fé)

Uruguay - 2 (Andrés Nicolás Oliveira 34, Diego Forlán 66)

Senegal - 0

 

10 June (Rosario)

Belgium - 0 (Pieter Collen s/off89)

Spain - 1 (Fernando Torres 52)

 

16 June (Rosario)

Spain - 3 (Diego Tristán 11,pen79, Andrés Iniesta 70)

Uruguay - 0

 

16 June (Buenos Aires)

Senegal - 0

Belgium - 3 (Thomas Buffel 9, Rory Hygelmeers 28, Emile Mpenza 45)

 

22 June (Buenos Aires)

Senegal - 0

Spain - 3 (Andrés Iniesta 9, Raúl 31, José Antonio Reyes 74)

 

22 June (Rosario)

Uruguay - 0

Belgium - 4 (Tim Reigel 11,63, Emile Mpenza 24,33)

 

Pos     Team                            Pld  Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Pts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st  Q  Spain                           3    3    0    0    7    0    9
2nd  Q  Belgium                         3    2    0    1    7    1    6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd     Uruguay                         3    1    0    2    2    7    3
4th     Senegal                         3    0    0    3    0    8    0

 

GROUP C

11 June (Avellaneda)

Nigeria - 0 (Joseph Yobo s/off19)

Poland - 3 (Pawel Brozek 4, Marek Kowalski 24, Michal Zewlakow 54)

 

11 June (Avellaneda)

France - 0

Greece - 0

 

17 June (Buenos Aires)

Poland - 0

France - 0

 

17 June (Rosario)

Greece - 1 (Pantelis Kafes 58)

Nigeria - 2 (Nwankwo Kanu 5,88)

 

23 June (Buenos Aires)

France - 4 (Jérémy Toulalan 2, David Trezeguet 36, Franck Ribéry 45, Thierry Henry 66, Sebastien Frey s/off72)

Nigeria - 2 (Nwankwo Kanu 22, Peter Odemwingie pen73)

 

23 June (Santa Fé)

Greece - 3 (Dimitris Papadopoulos 38, Giorgos Karagounis 45, Christos Patsatzoglou 72)

Poland - 1 (Mariusz Lewandowski s/off1, Pawel Brozek 47)

 

Pos     Team                            Pld  Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Pts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st  Q  France                          3    1    2    0    4    2    5
2nd  Q  Greece                          3    1    1    1    4    3    4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd     Poland                          3    1    1    1    4    3    4
4th     Nigeria                         3    1    0    2    4    8    3

 

GROUP D

11 June (Buenos Aires)

Saudi Arabia - 0

Mexico - 0

 

12 June (Rosario)

Wales - 1 (Craig Bellamy 17)

England - 0

 

19 June (Rosario)

Mexico - 0

Wales - 0

 

19 June (Buenos Aires)

England - 2 (Wayne Rooney 10, Wes Brown 63)

Saudi Arabia - 1 (Talal Al-Meshal 6)

 

23 June (Avellaneda)

Mexico - 1 (Oscar Mascorro 80)

England - 1 (Joe Cole 81)

 

23 June (Rosario)

Saudi Arabia - 0

Wales - 3 (Robert Evans 15,56,67)

 

Pos     Team                            Pld  Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Pts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st  Q  Wales                           3    2    1    0    4    0    7
2nd  Q  England                         3    1    1    1    3    3    4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd     Mexico                          3    0    3    0    1    1    3
4th     Saudi Arabia                    3    0    1    2    1    5    1

 

GROUP E

12 June (Buenos Aires)

Algeria - 0

South Korea - 3 (Du-Ri Cha 75, Young-Sam Kim 79, Eun-Joong Kim 83)

 

12 June (Buenos Aires)

Brazil - 1 (João Carlos Dias 84)

Croatia - 0

 

19 June (Santa Fé)

Croatia - 2 (Igor Tudor 52, Ivica Olic m/pen72, Eduardo 79)

Algeria - 0

 

19 June (Avellaneda)

South Korea - 1 (Ji-Sung Park 86)

Brazil - 2 (Ronaldinho 13, Robinho 33)

 

24 June (Buenos Aires)

Brazil - 1 (Elano 37)

Algeria - 0

 

24 June (Rosario)

Croatia - 1 (Bosko Balaban 18)

South Korea - 2 (Ki-Hyun Seol 44, Hwa-Pyung Yoon 87)

 

Pos     Team                            Pld  Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Pts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st  Q  Brazil                          3    3    0    0    4    1    9
2nd  Q  South Korea                     3    2    0    1    6    3    6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd     Croatia                         3    1    0    2    3    3    3
4th     Algeria                         3    0    0    3    0    6    0

 

GROUP F

13 June (Rosario)

Japan - 0

Burkina Faso - 1 (Beli Momouni Dagano 21)

 

14 June (Buenos Aires)

Finland - 1 (Teemu Tainio 10)

Holland - 2 (Mark van Bommel 70, Patrick Kluivert 74)

 

20 June (Avellaneda)

Burkina Faso - 0

Finland - 2 (Keijo Huusko 17,20)

 

20 June (Buenos Aires)

Holland - 3 (Mark van Bommel 7,67, Arjen Robben 64)

Japan - 1 (Daisuke Matsui 55)

 

24 June (Rosario)

Burkina Faso - 0

Holland - 3 (Rafael van der Vaart 43,61, Wilfred Bouma 83)

 

24 June (Buenos Aires)

Japan - 1 (Yuji Nakazawa 42)

Finland - 0

 

Pos     Team                            Pld  Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Pts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st  Q  Holland                         3    3    0    0    8    2    9
2nd  Q  Finland                         3    1    0    2    3    3    3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd     Japan                           3    1    0    2    2    4    3
4th     Burkina Faso                    3    1    0    2    1    5    3

 

GROUP G

14 June (Avellaneda)

Germany - 1 (Tim Borowski 82)

Russia - 0

 

14 June (Buenos Aires)

Jamaica - 1 (Jermaine Johnson 63)

Iran - 3 (Vahid Hashemian 20,61, Mohammad Gholami 90)

 

21 June (Buenos Aires)

Russia - 4 (Kirill Kukushkin 10, Alexandr Kerzhakov 36, Alexandr Shirko 49, Sergey Semak 51)

Jamaica - 2 (Jason Euell 33, David Johnson 59)

 

21 June (Rosario)

Iran - 0

Germany - 3 (Stephan Winter 8,23, Tim Borowski 39)

 

25 June (Buenos Aires)

Germany - 0

Jamaica - 1 (Leon Gordon 86)

 

25 June (Avellaneda)

Russia - 4 (Kirill Kukushkin 36, Anzor Agapov 45, Dmitry Sychev 55, Igor Morev 90)

Iran - 1 (Mohsen Bayatinia 68)

 

Pos     Team                            Pld  Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Pts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st  Q  Germany                         3    2    0    1    4    1    6
2nd  Q  Russia                          3    2    0    1    8    4    6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd     Iran                            3    1    0    2    4    8    3
4th     Jamaica                         3    1    0    2    4    7    3

 

GROUP H

13 June (Rosario)

Colombia - 2 (John Jairo Yepes 29, Falcao 69)

Morocco - 0 (Khalid Boulahrouz s/off38)

 

13 June (Avellaneda)

Denmark - 0

Italy - 2 (Marco Borriello 14, Filippo Sarti 90)

 

19 June (Rosario)

Morocco - 0

Denmark - 3 (Anders Andersen 20, Thomas Gravesen 33,52)

 

20 June (Buenos Aires)

Italy - 3 (Fausto Rossini 39, Andrea Pirlo 71, Mancini 90)

Colombia - 1 (John Jairo Yepes 75)

 

25 June (Santa Fé)

Colombia - 0 (Leyder Preciado s/off8)

Denmark - 2 (Rune Rasmussen Lind 36, Thomas Kahlenberg m/pen42, Thomas Gravesen 45)

 

25 June (Buenos Aires)

Morocco - 0

Italy - 2 (Francesco Totti 13, Fausto Rossini 57, Gabriele Perico s/off87)

 

Pos     Team                            Pld  Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Pts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st  Q  Italy                           3    3    0    0    7    1    9
2nd  Q  Denmark                         3    2    0    1    5    2    6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd     Colombia                        3    1    0    2    3    5    3
4th     Morocco                         3    0    0    3    0    7    0

 

ROUND 2

26 June (Avellaneda)

Portugal - 0

Belgium - 1 (Emile Mpenza 70)

 

26 June (Buenos Aires)

Wales - 3 (Simon Davies 13, Andy Brown 14, Robert Earnshaw 82)

Greece - 2 (Dimitris Papadopoulos 45, Angelos Charlsteas 56)

 

27 June (Buenos Aires)

Italy - 1 (Francesco Totti s/off18, Filippo Sarti 25, Fernando Zaniratto s/off35)

Russia - 4 (Yevgeni Aldonin 22, Sergey Semak 52, Alexandr Shirko 70,82)

 

27 June (Avellaneda)

Brazil - 2 (Adriano 9, Ronaldinho 52)

Finland - 2 (Pekka Kainu 27, Keijo Huusko 36)

[after extra-time, Brazil win 4-2 on penalties]

 

28 June (Lanús)

France - 3 (Peter Luccin 15,73, David Trezeguet 48)

England - 0

 

28 June (Rosario)

Spain - 1 (Raúl 44)

Argentina - 1 (Esteban Cambiasso 59)

[after extra-time, Spain win 5-3 on penalties]

 

29 June (Santa Fé)

Germany - 0

Denmark - 2 (Martin Albrechtsen 5, Thomas Kahlenberg pen87)

 

29 June (Rosario)

Holland - 1 (Rafael van der Vaart 22)

South Korea - 0

 

QUARTER FINALS

2 July (Rosario)

Brazil - 0

Russia - 1 (Anzor Agapov 57)

 

2 July (Buenos Aires)

Belgium - 0

Wales - 0

[after extra-time, Wales win 4-3 on penalties]

 

3 July (Buenos Aires)

Holland - 2 (Niels Oude Kamphuis 22, Mark van Bommel 44)

Denmark - 1 (Rune Rasmussen Lind 26)

 

3 July (Avellaneda)

Spain - 2 (Diego Tristán 49, Raúl 76)

France - 0

 

SEMI FINALS

6 July (Avellaneda)

Wales - 1 (Jason Barton 79)

Russia - 0

 

7 July (Buenos Aires)

Spain - 1 (Raúl 11)

Holland - 1 (Patrick Kluivert 7, John Heitinga s/off19)

[after extra-time, Spain win 4-3 on penalties]

 

3RD-PLACE PLAY-OFF

10 July (Buenos Aires)

Holland - 3 (Ruud van Nistelrooy 33,85, Frans van Adelberg 90)

Russia - 0

 

FINAL

11 July (Buenos Aires)

Spain - 3 (Diego Tristán 11,25, Roberto Peragón 71)

Wales - 1 (Robert Earnshaw 45)

SPAIN (4-2-3-1): Iker Casillas; Gabri, Juanito, Pablo Ibáñez, Ángel; Xavi, Mikel Arteta (Roberto Peragón); Joaquín, Raúl [C] (José Jorge Saavedra (Alberto Lopo)), José Antonio Reyes; Diego Tristán. BOOKED: Gabri.

WALES (4-1-3-2): Robert Fitzgerald; Lee Beevers, Scott Young, James Collins [C], Neil James (Jason Barton); Lee Fowler; Simon Davies, Andy Brown (Carl Fletcher), David Vaughan; Robert Evans (Chris Llewellyn), Robert Earnshaw. BOOKED: Fowler.

 

Top Goalscorer - Diego Tristán (Spain): 5.

Most Assists - Andrey Arshavin (Russia), Craig Bellamy (Wales), Ricardo Gardner (Jamaica), Thomas Kahlenberg (Denmark), Minas Pitsos (Greece): 3.

Highest Average Rating (at least 4 matches) - Julio Arca (Argentina), Antti Mäkelä (Finland): 8.50.

[oche balboa]

Great story as ever. 

[Vossenoren]

On 24/09/2023 at 17:04, CFuller said:

7 July (Buenos Aires)

Spain - 1 (Raúl 11)

Holland - 1 (Patrick Kluivert 7, John Heitinga s/off19)

[after extra-time, Spain win 4-3 on penalties]

Always ****ing penalties :'(((

[CFuller]

On 27/09/2023 at 17:58, Vossenoren said:

Always ****ing penalties :'(((

I forgot there was another nation who hated penalties even more than us. 

2nd at Euro 2008, 3rd at World Cup 2010... maybe Euro 2012 will be Holland's time?

[CFuller]

JULY 2010

On 5 July, the Kidderminster Harriers squad reconvened after their summer break - and began working towards their second consecutive season in Division 1. The club's only previous spell at this level had ended with relegation after the second season, but this squad was determined that history would not be repeated.

 

There were two new signings in the first-team, with goalkeeper David Preece and midfielder Jim Brennan both providing plenty of experience in a squad that had an average age of just 24.5. One of our younger senior players - 23-year-old playmaker Lee Watson - would also feel like a new signing, having undergone three weeks of physiotherapy that had hopefully cured his chronic knee injuries.

 

Only two players were absent from training on our first day back. Target man Alan Scott also had a long injury record and had undergone knee surgery in June, which meant he wouldn't be back in training until September at the earliest.

 

More surprising, however, was that our captain Sol Campbell had gone absent. When I phoned him up later that afternoon, it all became clear.

 

Sol was back home in London, having suddenly decided at the age of 35 that it was time to retire. While the 85-cap England defender had enjoyed his time at Kidderminster, he felt that he could not "adjust to the long-term nature of the project" and wanted to pursue some exciting business opportunities instead.

 

Suffice to say, I felt betrayed - almost as much as Tottenham fans had felt in 2001. When Campbell signed for Kidderminster back in December, it was on the understanding that he would see out his full contract, until the end of the 2011/2012 season. If he had no desire to stay here for the long haul, why did he agree to sign for us in the first place?

 

If there was any consolation, it was that we were no longer obliged to pay Campbell's £15,000-per-week contract. However, we now had to bring in someone to take his place at centre-back - and we had to identify a new captain, with both Barry Miller and Jeff Whitley also leaving us over the summer.

 

To address the former, I signed the young Dutchman Frank Kooistra on a season-long loan from divisional rivals Grimsby. Kooistra was a strong and aggressive ball-playing centre-back, just a couple of weeks shy of his 21st birthday. Having started his career at Derby before moving to Lincolnshire, he headed all the way across the Midlands to add some fresh legs to our backline.

 

As for who would be our new captain moving forward, that was rather less clear-cut. Wing-backs Alan Gray and Adrian Morfitt were our most natural leaders, but neither were regular starters. Our new keeper Preece was a more realistic choice, as was Welsh forward Robert Garside, who had just signed a long-term contract.

 

However, for the first match of our pre-season training camp in the Republic of Ireland, I decided to give the armband to somebody else. Despite his tender years and injury doubts, I thought that Watson was mature enough to lead us out against Moyle Park College - a semi-professional team based in south Dublin.

 

17 JULY 2010: Moyle Park College vs Kidderminster Harriers

Things got off to a good start after just nine minutes, when wing-back César Gallego won us a penalty which was expertly converted by Robert Garside. Gallego then set up a second goal on the stroke of half-time, as his low cross from the right flank was met by a strong finish from our new captain Lee Watson. Though we didn't increase our lead further in the second half, we were defensively solid and didn't allow Moyle Park a single shot on target. This was as comfortable as games went.

 

Moyle Park College - 0

Kidderminster Harriers - 2 (Garside pen9, Watson 44)

Friendly, Attendance 1,460

KIDDERMINSTER LINE-UP (3-5-2 Attacking): Preece (Baardsen); Bell, Kooistra (Redhe), Unai (Heikkinen); Gallego (Morfitt), Gray (T Simpson); Watson (Howe), Brennan (Derry); Collins; Garside (Graham), Berry (McQuade).

 

Well... that was a good pre-season opener for once! Our attackers still looked rusty, but other than that, all the signs were positive.

 

Right wing-back César Gallego got both assists in that game, which actually served as a triumphant send-off for the Spaniard's Harriers career. A day later, he was the subject of a £650,000 offer from Division 2 Wrexham - and with both Morfitt and Billy Berntsson ahead of Gallego in the pecking order, it made sense to cash in. Adios, César.

 

Meanwhile, our pre-season continued against another semi-professional team in Dublin City, who finished 6th in Ireland's second division last season. Their manager was former Liverpool, Real Sociedad and Tranmere striker John Aldridge, who'd been at the helm for an impressive eight years.

 

21 JULY 2010: Dublin City vs Kidderminster Harriers

Though Dublin City proved slightly trickier opponents than Moyle Park, we still managed to take a 2-0 lead before the break. Youth and experience came to the fore, as 19-year-old Paul Graham and then 31-year-old Markus Heikkinen got their names on the scoreboard. Unfortunately, a clumsy foul from Simon Bell allowed City's John Walsh to pull a goal back from the penalty spot in the 73rd minute. We did restore our two-goal advantage late on, though, thanks to a cool finish from 17-year-old newcomer John McQuade!

 

Dublin City - 1 (Walsh pen73)

Kidderminster Harriers - 3 (Graham 26, Heikkinen 45, McQuade 90)

Friendly, Attendance 2,027

KIDDERMINSTER LINE-UP (3-5-2 Attacking): Baardsen (Preece); Redhe, Heikkinen, Unai; Berntsson (Fowler), Gray (Fitzgerald); Watson (Howe), Derry (Brennan); S Simpson; Graham (Garside), Berry (McQuade). BOOKED: Gray, Bell.

 

Reserve left-back Kevin Fitzgerald made a brief cameo in this match. The 20-year-old Irishman would remain in his homeland after our pre-season training camp, having agreed a season-long loan deal with the Cork-based club Mayfield Park. Fitzgerald's contract expires next summer, so this loan really is 'make or break' for him.

 

Our final match in Ireland was a significant step up in class, as former League of Ireland champions Shelbourne hosted us at Tolka Park. Another familiar face was in the home dugout - none other than Arsenal legend Tony Adams!

 

25 JULY 2010: Shelbourne vs Kidderminster Harriers

When Robert Garside scored a screamer after just two minutes, it looked like we would run away with this match. However, we wasted several opportunities to go further ahead in the first half - and Shelbourne took full advantage after the break.

 

Tony Adams' side equalised in the 47th minute, when German midfielder Stefan Schwartz (not to be confused with Tony's ex-Arsenal team-mate Stefan Schwarz) sent a devastating ball into our area for Stephen Dobbie to volley home. We struggled to regain our composure, and the hosts struck again in stoppage time. Schwartz' shot was spilled by Kiddy keeper Kent Ivarsson, who watched on in horror as Tommy Turner's rebound shot completed a shock comeback from the Reds.

 

Shelbourne - 2 (Dobbie 47, T Turner 90)

Kidderminster Harriers - 1 (Garside 2)

Friendly, Attendance 2,019

KIDDERMINSTER LINE-UP (3-5-2 Attacking): Baardsen (Ivarsson); Redhe (Unai), Kooistra, Bell (Heikkinen); Morfitt (Berntsson), T Simpson (Gray); Howe (Watson), Brennan (Derry); Collins; Garside (S Simpson), Graham (McQuade). BOOKED: T Simpson.

 

Urgh, what a sour note to end our training camp. We weren't clinical enough when we had Shelbourne by the throat and rightly got punished.

 

As we returned home, we learnt that we'd been drawn away to Oldham in Round 1 of the League Cup. The Latics had reached the Division 3 Playoff Final last season, so a visit to Boundary Park would not be easy at all.

 

Six days later, Aggborough opened its doors for the first time this season, as top-flight Newcastle paid us a visit. This, of course, meant an early reunion with our former hero John Forde, who was now hoping to establish himself as the Magpies' new starting goalkeeper.

 

31 JULY 2010: Kidderminster Harriers vs Newcastle United

Captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic might have been Newcastle's star attraction, but he was overshadowed by his young strike partner Craig McGregor, who dispatched Phil Jagielka's through-ball to open the scoring after just two minutes. We then had to survive a few more Magpies attacks before we gave John Forde his first test in the 35th minute. Alan Gray's cross was driven low towards goal by Scott Simpson, and Forde couldn't quite keep it out.

 

Another early McGregor strike put Newcastle back ahead seven minutes into the second half. This time, we only needed four minutes to respond, as another devastating Gray cross from the left wing was finished by Robert Garside. Our Celtic connection had caused Brian Quinn's Geordies all sorts of problems, helping us to come away with a 2-2 draw!

 

Kidderminster Harriers - 2 (S Simpson 35, Garside 56)

Newcastle United - 2 (McGregor 2,52)

Friendly, Attendance 1,658

KIDDERMINSTER LINE-UP (3-5-2 Attacking): Preece (Baardsen); Heikkinen, Bell (Kooistra), Unai (Redhe); Berntsson (Morfitt), Gray (T Simpson); Watson (Howe), Brennan (Derry); S Simpson; Garside (Graham), Collins (Berry). BOOKED: Unai.

 

After an impressive result, I made an important announcement to make in the dressing room. Having assessed several potential leaders over our first four games of pre-season, I'd decided that Lee Watson would be the new full-time captain of Kidderminster Harriers.

 

The young Yorkshireman looked stunned to have been given the honour, but I'd been very impressed with the maturity and determination he had shown over the past year. Giving Watson the captaincy would surely inspire him to take his game to another level, especially if those old injury problems were indeed in the rear-view mirror.

 

Barely 15 months ago, Lee was being relegated from the Conference with Hucknall. Now, at the age of just 23, he would be leading Kidderminster into the new Division 1 season.

[CFuller]

ELSEWHERE IN FOOTBALL...

• Brazil are the last South Americans standing at the World Cup in Argentina, but their dreams end in a shock 1-0 defeat to Russia in the Quarter Finals. Indeed, all four Semi Finalists are European nations who have never previously won the title. Spain see off Holland on penalties to book a date with fellow first-time finalists Wales, who defeat Russia thanks to a 79th-minute winner from 20-year-old Everton midfielder Jason Barton.
• Despite being the first British team to play in a World Cup Final since 1966, the Welsh fairytale doesn't have a happy ending in Buenos Aires. Mark Hughes' Red Dragons are outclassed in the first half, as Diego Tristán gives Spain a 2-0 lead before Bolton's Robert Earnshaw pulls a goal back. Valencia striker Roberto Peragón then comes off the bench to seal a historic 3-1 win for La Furia Roja, who shake off their tag as international football's great underachievers.
• England manager David Seaman sacrifices both his ponytail and his job after a disappointing World Cup. Burnley boss 'Big' Sam Allardyce is the bookmakers' favourite to take over... but the FA instead give the job to 'Little' Sammy Lee of Wolves.
• After 12 years at Barcelona, Dutch destroyer Patrick Kluivert celebrates his 34th birthday by completing a £2.8million transfer to Arsenal. Meanwhile, former Brazil and Inter hotshot Ronaldo signs for Ajax, though 'O Fenômeno' narrowly escapes a papercut when signing the contract.
• Bundesliga champions Dortmund smash their transfer record by re-signing VfB Stuttgart playmaker Tomas Rosicky for £19million... three-and-a-half years after selling the Czech international for just £6.5million. Serie A scudetto holders Lazio also bring out the chequebook, spending a combined £20million on São Paulo midfielder Kaká and Bolton defender Andrea Barzagli.

 

IN OTHER NEWS...

• Five lads from across the British Isles fail in their auditions for ITV's singing competition "The X Factor". However, Simon Cowell suggests that they should try again as a quintet... and so Harry, Liam, Louis, Zayn and The Other One form a boy band called One Direction.
• It's a great month for British boy bands, as Robbie Williams announces he is rejoining Take That for the first time in 15 years. He and his mates celebrate by going out rowing.
• The north-east of England is gripped by a week-long manhunt for 37-year-old Raoul Moat, who shot one person dead and wounded two others shortly after being released from Durham Prison. After a six-hour stand-off with police in Northumberland - which includes a bizarre intervention from Paul Gascoigne - Moat takes his own life.
• The snooker world mourns the loss of legendary two-time world champion Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins, aged 61. The Northern Irishman was hugely popular in the 1970s and 1980s because of his fast play and maverick personality, though he had various struggles with drugs, alcohol and gambling throughout his career.

[CFuller]

Kidderminster Harriers squad - Start of 2010/2011 season

 

GOALKEEPERS

1. Espen Baardsen - GK, age 32, Norwegian [9 caps]

Baardsen's Kiddy career got off to a gloomy start with some rusty performances. However, the veteran has upped his game in recent months and is starting to win me over.

 

13. Kent Ivarsson - GK, age 26, Swedish

I'm afraid that Ivarsson is our third-choice goalkeeper for a reason. Though capable of claiming aerial balls, he lacks the agility or reflexes to be a reliable shotstopper.

 

26. David Preece - GK, age 33, English

Preece is perhaps the bravest, most agile keeper to come out of Sunderland since Jim Montgomery. Having played nearly 300 league games, he knows all about handling pressure.

 

DEFENDERS

2. Unai - SW/D C, age 33, Spanish [1 cap]

Sol Campbell might have taken the plaudits, but Unai was an equally important defensive addition last season. The Basque centre-back is intelligent, determined and remarkably strong.

 

3. Terry Simpson - D L, age 22, English

Simpson has continued to flourish into one of the Football League's best young full-backs. He's great at starting counter-attacks and strong in the tackle - perhaps a little too strong.

 

4. Simon Bell - D C, age 26, English

Ex-Dagenham stopper Bell is an authoritative aerial presence and has the stamina to outlast opposition defenders. However, there are some question marks over his consistency.

 

5. Tobias Redhe - D C, age 26, Swedish

Redhe played only 12 times in his first Harriers season, but he should play a more prominent role this season. The Swede's leadership and man-marking abilities have caught my eyes.

 

6. Markus Heikkinen - D/DM C, age 31, Finnish [15 caps, 2 goals]

Where would we be without Heikkinen - the ice-cool glue who holds our defence together? His never-say-die attitude typifies the fighting spirit of this team.

 

17. Billy Berntsson - D R, age 26, Swedish

Berntsson has developed into one of our top performers. Though not particularly quick for a right-back, his strong tackling and pinpoint passing can rapidly turn defence into attack.

 

21. Frank Kooistra - D RC, age 21, Dutch

Kooistra is a promising defender on a season-long loan from Grimsby. Despite a few pre-season wobbles, I'm sure his marking abilities and positional awareness will make him tough to beat.

 

MIDFIELDERS

7. Adrian Morfitt - AM R, age 25, English

Morfitt missed the final three months of last season with a serious knee injury. The hard-working winger/wing-back has a point to prove, and the vice-captaincy should spur him on.

 

12. Shaun Derry - D/DM RC, age 32, English

Derry isn't very flashy, but the fearless holding midfielder has shown once again why he's an Aggborough icon. Nobody can take a killer set-piece quite like him.

 

14. Lee Watson - M C, age 23, English

This could be a career-defining season for our new captain Watson. The tireless playmaker is desperate to put his injury woes to bed and establish his place in midfield.

 

15. Jim Brennan - D/M LC, age 33, Canadian [67 caps, 3 goals]

Brennan arrives from Coventry with 14 years' worth of Football League experience. The Ontario native is a versatile player who's as equally capable in defence as he is in midfield.

 

16. Scott Simpson - AM C, age 27, Scottish

When Simpson is hot, this Scot is red-hot. It's a shame that the enigmatic and creative attacking midfielder doesn't show that kind of form consistently enough.

 

18. Bradley Howe - D/DM C, age 17, English

Howe made eight appearances last season and is now ready for more first-team chances. He has the energy and drive to be a great box-to-box player once he develops his technique.

 

19. Alan Gray - AM L, age 24, Northern Irish [capped at Under-21s level]

Gray is technically good with either foot, and he can rip defences apart with his crossing abilities. The Ulsterman is just very unlucky to be behind Terry Simpson in the pecking order.

 

FORWARDS

9. Jamie Berry - S C, age 18, English

Despite his tender years, Berry already has a promising record of 13 goals in 51 competitive games. His finishing ability is not in question, but his overall game still needs to develop.

 

10. Robert Garside - F C, age 24, Welsh [1 cap]

Garside has not yet fulfilled his potential, but I suspect that might be about to change. Quick in his head and with his feet, it's time for him to make the number 10 jersey his own.

 

11. Paul Graham - S C, age 19, Scottish

Graham is a rapid striker with a powerful long shot in his arsenal. After finding the net eight times last season, I'm now looking to send the Scottish teenager out on loan.

 

23. Alan Scott - S C, age 23, English

Injury-prone target man Scott scored 21 goals in the 2007/2008 season but has not looked the same force since. After going under the knife in June, he's approaching a career crossroads.

 

31. David Collins - F C, age 29, English

Collins isn't quite as ruthless as he was in Division 2, but he still hit 14 goals last term. Soon to turn 30, he has recently been converted from a pacey striker into an attacking midfielder.

 

RESERVES

DEFENDERS: Kevin Fitzgerald (20), Paul Fowler (21), Ryan McCann (17)

MIDFIELDERS: Graham Hutchison (17), Simon Quinn (18), Alan Rice (19)

FORWARD: John McQuade (17)

[CFuller]

AUGUST 2010

Before our Division 1 opener against Aston Villa on 14 August, we rounded off our pre-season with a couple more West Midlands derbies. The first of those was at the Bescot Stadium against Walsall, who were playing Division 1 football as recently as 2007 but finished a dismal 19th in Division 3 last season.

 

Lee Watson might have taken the captaincy on a full-time basis, but it was Adrian Morfitt who led us out onto the turf. The 25-year-old winger's attitude was a positive influence on the team, and a strong showing here would cement his status as our new vice-captain.

 

3 AUGUST 2010: Walsall vs Kidderminster Harriers

Our two teenage strikers got off to a great start, as Paul Graham set up an opening goal for Jamie Berry after just 13 minutes. However, we failed to build on that, and Walsall hit back in the second half. After having a goal disallowed for offside, a couple of quickfire strikes from Marlon Harewood and John McPherson gave the Saddlers a shock 2-1 lead. It took another Berry goal - a diving header from a long ball by captain Lee Watson - to even save us a draw.

 

Walsall - 2 (Harewood 53, McPherson 56)

Kidderminster Harriers - 2 (Berry 13,70)

Friendly, Attendance 6,085

KIDDERMINSTER LINE-UP (3-5-2 Attacking): Preece (Baardsen); Heikkinen (Redhe), Kooistra (Bell), Unai; Morfitt (Berntsson), Gray (T Simpson); Howe (Watson), Brennan (Derry); S Simpson (Garside); Graham (Collins), Berry.

 

That was embarrassing. Walsall had so many chances in this game that I honestly couldn't figure out which team was playing in Division 1 - and which was down in the Football League basement.

 

Our last match before the big kick-off was at home to Coventry, who won the Division 1 play-offs last season and were now back in the Premiership. We might have won our last meeting with the Sky Blues back in December, but John Toshack's side would test us to our limits.

 

7 AUGUST 2010: Kidderminster Harriers vs Coventry City

Unsurprisingly, it was Coventry's greater class which won the day here. Veteran midfielder Peter Gain might have hit the post in the 25th minute, but the Sky Blues did gain a goal four minutes later, courtesy of his much younger colleague Adam Howell.

 

We then launched a string of direct attacks in the second half, only to be consistently thwarted by some outstanding goalkeeping from 35-year-old Andy Marshall. Another experienced City player - Peru striker Ysrael Zuniga - then secured victory with a great finish 14 minutes from the end. Though Coventry lost the promising 17-year-old defender Mark Bell to injury, it was an otherwise good day for our visitors... and a rather frustrating one for us.

 

Kidderminster Harriers - 0

Coventry City - 2 (Howell 29, Zuniga 76)

Friendly, Attendance 1,400

KIDDERMINSTER LINE-UP (3-5-2 Defensive): Preece (Baardsen); Redhe, Kooistra (S Simpson), Unai; Berntsson (Morfitt), Heikkinen (Fowler), T Simpson (Gray); Watson (Howe), Derry (Brennan); Garside (Graham), Collins (Berry).

 

Pre-season summary: two wins, two draws, two defeats... and our top scorer David Collins couldn't hit a barn door. Oh, and our defenders Billy Berntsson and Simon Bell both picked up training injuries that would put them out of our opening league games.

 

I'm not worried at all, don't be ridiculous!

 

While there were worrying signs at senior level, there was some encouraging news from the Kidderminster youth team, with two players being promoted to the reserves. 16-year-old Sean Beesley was a quick and astute sweeper, but I was more excited about Stephen Pearce - an 18-year-old striker who was big, strong and could finish clinically with either foot.

 

So, what would happen on the opening day, when the once-mighty Aston Villa made the short trip from Birmingham to Worcestershire? The Villans might have finished down in 18th last season, but having avoided a shock relegation to Division 2, they were eager to make a fresh start in Ian Holloway's first full campaign as manager.

 

14 AUGUST 2010: Kidderminster Harriers vs Aston Villa

David Preece had a busy league debut in the Kidderminster goal, and the 34-year-old started well, saving a couple of dangerous early efforts from Aston Villa striker Graeme McCulloch. He was required to make another important save in the 21st minute, after Adam Sheppard had been tripped in the Harriers area by Adrian Morfitt. Unfortunately, Preece was unable to keep out a well-taken penalty from right-back Simon Roberts, which put the Villans 1-0 up.

 

Morfitt's foul got him a yellow card - and a couple more Kidderminster players would lose their discipline just two minutes later. Jim Brennan was penalised for a clumsy challenge on Scott Douglas, and Kiddy captain Lee Watson reacted angrily to what he saw as a dive from Villa's attacking midfielder. Both Jim and Lee were cautioned, and we had to be really careful now.

 

Watson eventually calmed down, and it was him who got us back into the game five minutes from half-time. Just moments after Preece had saved a shot from Douglas that could have sent us 2-0 behind, we won a corner at the other end. Watson swung it into the box, where David Collins' header levelled the scores! He might not have found the net in pre-season, but Dave had gone big when it mattered most!

 

I took off both Morfitt and Brennan at half-time to avoid them picking up any further bookings. Ironically, Morfitt's replacement Terry Simpson got himself a yellow card in the 57th minute for shoving Sheppard.

 

The Villans weren't exactly angels either, with a couple of their midfielders also going into the book. They almost won the game late on as well, with only Preece's left-hand post keeping out an excellent strike from substitute Ryan Williams - and saving us an opening-day draw.

 

Kidderminster Harriers - 1 (Collins 40)

Aston Villa - 1 (Roberts pen21)

Division 1, Attendance 6,637 - POSITIONS: Kidderminster 13th, Aston Villa 11th

KIDDERMINSTER LINE-UP (3-5-2 Attacking): Preece; Heikkinen, Kooistra, Unai; Morfitt (T Simpson), Gray; Watson, Brennan (Derry); Collins (S Simpson); Garside, Berry. BOOKED: Morfitt, Brennan, Watson, T Simpson.

 

A point - at least that's a better start than we had last season! But the strongest starters were Chris Kamara's Torquay, who thrashed Sunderland 4-0! Unbelievable, Jeff!

 

Sensing that we were still a top-tier striker away from being a formidable team, I decided to make one more summer transfer. Instead of sniffing around for bargains or loans, I decided to go all-in - and smash my transfer record.

 

Albert Mulder was a 19-year-old striker whose combination of pace, power and technique had torn up the Dutch lower leagues. After scoring 28 goals in just 35 matches for Omniworld last season, he had come on our radar - so when Ligue 1 giants Auxerre invoked his £950,000 release clause, I knew we had to match it.

 

While the lure of developing at one of France's top clubs was no doubt attractive to Mulder, we won him over with the promise of regular first-team football. After signing a six-year contract worth £7,750 per week, the young Dutch destroyer was officially a Kidderminster Harrier.

 

Mulder's arrival coincided with a wrist injury for his countryman Frank Kooistra, further limiting our defensive options for our trip to Chesterfield. That meant a rare start for Swedish centre-back Tobias Redhe, who had a difficult first season at Kidderminster and now needed to show he was ready for regular first-team football.

 

21 AUGUST 2010: Chesterfield vs Kidderminster Harriers

Despite a promising start to his Kidderminster career, David Preece's away debut did not go as well as his home. The 13th minute was particularly unlucky for the veteran goalkeeper, who couldn't keep out Norwegian striker Lars Iver Strand's header from a cross by his compatriot Vegard Heggem.

 

Five minutes later, Preece was beaten again - left flat-footed by a rather tame left-footed drive from midfielder Mark Boyd. Chesterfield then looked to kill the game off before half-time, and when Strand converted a flick-on from his strike partner Andy Rushbury, we were staring at a daunting 3-0 deficit. While it was hard to fault any of our defenders, Preece's poor positioning had left him horribly exposed.

 

While the second half thankfully didn't see any more goals for Bryan Robson's Spireites, it was still a torturous one for us. Albert Mulder's Kidderminster bow was an utter damp squib, the Dutchman missing the target with all three of his shots. Neither Robert Garside nor his half-time replacement Jamie Berry could get going either, giving David Lucas an easy afternoon in the Chesterfield goal.

 

Chesterfield - 3 (Strand 13,44, Boyd 18)

Kidderminster Harriers - 0

Division 1, Attendance 5,975 - POSITIONS: Chesterfield 4th, Kidderminster 21st

KIDDERMINSTER LINE-UP (3-5-2 Attacking): Preece; Heikkinen, Redhe, Unai; Morfitt, T Simpson; Watson, Derry (Brennan); Collins; Garside (S Simpson), Mulder (Berry).

 

Perhaps I should have spent £950,000 on yet another keeper, because David Preece's performance was shocking. What the hell is it with me and goalies?

 

That result made it one victory in our last seven competitive matches. We were now under huge pressure to beat Oldham in Round 1 of the League Cup. Anything but a comfortable win at Boundary Park would send the alarm bells ringing.

 

24 AUGUST 2010: Oldham Athletic vs Kidderminster Harriers

Espen Baardsen was our de jure number 1 - but if the Norwegian wanted to be our starting goalkeeper, he didn't show it in the sixth minute. Oldham bridged the two-division gap and took the lead when midfielder Robert Mambo Mumba's cross was blasted home by captain Dennis Oli, catching Baardsen completely unawares.

 

After the Latics' keeper Gary Martin saved a series of Kidderminster shots later in the first half, I began to wonder where an equaliser could possibly come from. By injury time, I finally had an answer. 18-year-old Jamie Berry played a clever one-two with his even younger colleague Bradley Howe - and the emerging midfielder drove home his first senior goal, aged just 17!

 

Alas, Oldham took the lead again in the 60th minute. The Harriers defence struggled to deal with a Matty Doughty corner, leading to Mambo Mumba scoring a header that Baardsen really should've done a better job of saving.

 

Our frustrations only increased in the 63rd minute, when Martin confidently claimed a cross from left-back Terry Simpson, who was still trying to recapture his excellent form from last season. Our inspiration would need to come from the other wing. A minute later, right-back Adrian Morfitt launched a long throw to the edge of Oldham's penalty area, where 19-year-old Paul Graham volleyed in a stunning equaliser! Was that the turning point?

 

Noooo. Oldham had a third goal brewing in the 75th minute, when Sierra Leone international Aluspah Brewah thundered Andy Thomas' right-wing cross in off the crossbar. There would be no Kiddy leveller this time, as another Martin save kept substitute Albert Mulder off the scoreboard in the 89th minute, helping Andy Ritchie's hosts to secure a shock 3-2 win.

 

Oldham Athletic - 3 (Oli 6, Mambo Mumba 60, Brewah 75)

Kidderminster Harriers - 2 (Howe 45, Graham 64)

League Cup Round 1, Attendance 6,319

KIDDERMINSTER LINE-UP (4-4-2): Baardsen; Derry, Heikkinen, Redhe, T Simpson; Morfitt, Howe, Brennan (Kooistra), Gray (S Simpson); Graham, Berry (Mulder).

 

Pathetic. How the hell are we supposed to get anywhere if our goalies keep making such stupid mistakes?

 

Espen Baardsen had been given his last chance, and he had blown it. After one clanger too many, his contract was terminated with immediate effect, and I began searching for my 68th different goalkeeper in nine years.

 

Within days, I had concluded, "If you can't beat them, sign them." Gary Martin - the 28-year-old Oldham goalkeeper who had frustrated us at Boundary Park - was bought for the ludicrously cheap price of £40,000. He's not a great handler of the ball, but he's agile and at least has some sense of positional awareness.

 

Next up was a home game against newly-relegated Sunderland, who were still reeling from the effects of their opening-day humiliation at Torquay. I'd outsmarted their new manager Roy Keane a few times in the past, but could I do it again?

 

28 AUGUST 2010: Kidderminster Harriers vs Sunderland

Sunderland's journeyman goalkeeper Jussi Jääskeläinen saved a couple of early attempts from our star forward David Collins - but stopping his strike partner proved a different challenge. Collins ran the Mackems defence ragged as he dribbled into the penalty area before setting up a tap-in for Robert Garside. For the first time this season, Kidderminster were leading in a match!

 

To add to Roy Keane's woes, his left-winger Lee Brown had suffered a game-ending shin injury during the move that led to Garside's goal. An early substitution was required, unsettling any sense of rhythm Sunderland might have had. Albert Mulder could have taken advantage, but a couple of poor misses meant the Dutchman's wait for a first Harriers goal would continue.

 

Keane must have brought out the hairdryer at half-time, because Sunderland looked rather more threatening in the second period. A vicious 48th-minute drive from right-winger Luke Chadwick hit the bar, while striker Michael Dunwell's header in the 62nd minute forced David Preece into a save. The Black Cats' momentum soon fizzled out, though, and while there were a few nervy moments in the final half-hour, we were still good value for a 1-0 win.

 

Kidderminster Harriers - 1 (Garside 15)

Sunderland - 0

Division 1, Attendance 7,198 - POSITIONS: Kidderminster 14th, Sunderland 22nd

KIDDERMINSTER LINE-UP (3-5-2 Attacking): Preece; Bell (Kooistra), Heikkinen, Unai; Morfitt, Gray; Watson (Howe), Derry; Collins; Garside, Mulder (Graham). BOOKED: Unai.

 

After a vital first win of the season, our focus shifted towards getting a second in the space of three days. On Bank Holiday Monday, we returned to my old stomping ground at Dagenham & Redbridge, who had kicked off their season with a 1-0 win and a couple of 0-0 draws. That's Willy Wordsworth for you!

 

30 AUGUST 2010: Dagenham & Redbridge vs Kidderminster Harriers

Willy Wordsworth's 5-3-2 was notoriously difficult for opposition teams to break down, and we had similar problems in the first half. Albert Mulder came close with a couple of efforts in the 27th and 28th minute, but still missed the target with each of them. Though Mulder did get his next two shots on target later on, the Dutchman's fourth game for Kidderminster would sadly produce as many goals as his previous three.

 

Then, in the 56th minute, Watson finally broke the deadlock. Unfortunately, it wasn't our captain Lee Watson who scored, but the Dagenham striker Peter Watson. At the end of a devastating counter-attack, the Scotsman controlled a beautiful cross from Sebastian Helbig and volleyed in his second goal for the Daggers since his July transfer from Notts County.

 

And that was the game. The Daggers shut up shop for the final half-hour, and David Navarro was particularly dominant at the heart of their defence. Another disappointing day out for the Harriers ended with two quickfire yellow cards for Mulder and Terry Simpson, which were literally the only things we had to show for our efforts.

 

Dagenham & Redbridge - 1 (Watson 56)

Kidderminster Harriers - 0

Division 1, Attendance 7,610 - POSITIONS: Dag & Red 7th, Kidderminster 15th

KIDDERMINSTER LINE-UP (3-5-2 Attacking): Preece; Bell (Kooistra), Heikkinen, Unai; Derry, T Simpson; Watson, Brennan; S Simpson (Collins); Graham, Mulder. BOOKED: Mulder, T Simpson.

 

Another frustrating performance meant we'd taken four points from our first four league matches. That's four more than we had 12 months ago, which is progress at least, but I was hoping for a little bit more.

 

Oh, and if you're wondering how Mulder has done since joining Kidderminster? In four matches, he has had a total of 11 shots, 3 on target... and zero goals. That's what 950 thousand pounds gets you, apparently.

Edited March 28 by CFuller

[CFuller]

DIVISION 1 TABLE (End of August 2010)

Pos     Team                            Pld  Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Pts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st     Birmingham                      4    2    0    0    6    2    2    0    0    7    5    12   
2nd     Chesterfield                    4    2    0    0    5    1    1    1    0    5    4    10   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd     Nottm Forest                    4    2    0    0    7    0    1    0    1    2    4    9    
4th     Fulham                          4    2    0    0    5    0    1    0    1    2    2    9    
5th     Crewe                           4    2    0    0    6    2    1    0    1    4    4    9    
6th     Grimsby                         4    1    1    0    2    0    1    1    0    1    0    8    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7th     Dag & Red                       4    1    1    0    1    0    1    1    0    1    0    8    
8th     Swindon                         4    0    1    1    3    4    2    0    0    6    1    7    
9th     Torquay                         4    2    0    0    6    1    0    0    2    1    3    6    
10th    West Ham                        4    1    1    0    2    1    0    2    0    0    0    6    
11th    Charlton                        3    1    0    0    4    2    0    2    0    1    1    5    
12th    Huddersfield                    4    0    1    1    0    1    1    1    0    3    1    5    
13th    Tottenham                       4    1    0    1    1    1    0    1    1    5    7    4    
14th    Sheff Utd                       4    1    0    1    4    3    0    1    1    0    4    4    
15th    Kidderminster                   4    1    1    0    2    1    0    0    2    0    4    4    
16th    Aston Villa                     3    0    2    0    5    5    0    1    0    1    1    3    
17th    Notts Co                        4    0    1    1    1    2    0    2    0    3    3    3    
18th    Carlisle                        4    0    2    0    1    1    0    1    1    1    2    3    
19th    Norwich                         4    0    1    1    4    5    0    1    1    3    5    2    
20th    W.B.A.                          4    0    1    1    1    2    0    1    1    2    4    2    
21st    Preston                         4    0    2    0    2    2    0    0    2    0    4    2    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22nd    Sunderland                      4    0    2    0    2    2    0    0    2    0    5    2    
23rd    Bristol City                    4    0    0    2    0    6    0    1    1    1    4    1    
24th    Millwall                        4    0    0    2    3    5    0    0    2    0    5    0    

 

ELSEWHERE IN FOOTBALL...

• A Steven Gerrard screamer earns Liverpool a 1-0 win over Premiership champions Arsenal in the Community Shield. Nigel Winterburn's Reds then outclass his former club 3-1 in the league, with Michael Owen scoring twice to heap further misery on an injury-ravaged Gunners team who have to play 18-year-old debutant Sean Jordan in goal. After the match, Arsenal boss Arsène Wenger shrugs, "Maybe Sean will be ready in 2014."
• After a year in Japan, Emile Heskey returns to English football as the new player-manager of Blackburn. The 32-year-old scores just 22 minutes into his debut at Bradford, but Rovers lose 3-2 before being overwhelmed 3-0 by Ipswich, leaving them in the Premiership relegation zone.
• There are some unfamiliar names at the top of Ligue 1 after just five matches. Strasbourg and Rennes - two teams who usually finish in the bottom half - each win four of their opening fixtures, with Rennes grinding out a shock 1-0 victory over Marseille! Most of the credit goes to Les Rennais' goalkeeper Yury Tsyhalka - brother of Maksim.
• After saving Celta from relegation last season, David O'Leary kicks off his first full season in Vigo with a 5-1 La Liga demolition of Athletic Bilbao. Under-fire striker Benedict McCarthy returns to form with two goals, convincing O'Leary that he maybe doesn't need to sign Robbie Keane after all...
• Having spent years badgering his old boss O'Leary for a transfer, Mark Viduka finally gets his wish - and leaves Leeds to sign for West Brom. The 34-year-old Australian scores twice in his first three games, but defensive issues see the Baggies drop to 20th in the Division 1 table. Be careful what you wish for, Mark!

 

IN OTHER NEWS...

• Seven years after ousting Saddam Hussein from power, the United States withdraws its last combat troops from Iraq as President Barack Obama declares an end to military operations in the country. The war in Afghanistan, however, is a different matter.
• Cricket is rocked by a new scandal, as the News of the World claims that England’s Test match against Pakistan at Lord’s was fixed. Pakistan captain Salman Butt and bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif are accused of accepting bribes from a bookmaker, instructing Amir and Asif to deliberately throw ‘no-balls’ at specific points.
• Katy Perry sets off fireworks on her second pop album “Teenage Dream”, which will eventually make her the first female artist to have five US number 1 singles from the same record. The California gurl brings out her whipped-cream guns in celebration.
• BBC sitcom “Last of the Summer Wine” is retired after 37 years on the air, and ITV’s cop drama “The Bill” is arrested after 26 years. Meanwhile, Channel 4 finally evict “Big Brother” from their schedule about half a decade too late.

[CFuller]

SEPTEMBER 2010

I don't have much luck with goalkeepers. During my tenures at Dagenham & Redbridge and Kidderminster Harriers, I've signed so many custodians who either start off brightly before developing a taste for butterfingers, or who cover their gloves with Teflon as soon as they sign for the club. If a goalie makes it to a third season under my management, they practically deserve a testimonial.

 

So far, the jury was out on my current first-choice keeper at Kidderminster - David Preece had been good, if not entirely convincing. His backup Gary Martin hadn't played since joining us from our League Cup conquerors Oldham in August, and he had limited experience at this high a level. As for Kent Ivarsson... he might be in his third season at Aggborough, but he's not exactly testimonial worthy.

 

I still felt we needed another option in goal, in case Preece had a sudden drop in form and/or Martin turned out to be a flop.

 

Enter Darren Ward - the 18-cap Wales goalkeeper who had made nearly 400 Football League appearances for Mansfield, Notts County, Nottingham Forest, Crewe and Southampton. Now in the twilight of his career at 36, Ward been a free agent since ending an unhappy 18-month spell at Spanish Segunda División side Salamanca in the summer. Ward was a brave shotstopper with good aerial reach, and he would be a steady pair of hands if required.

 

Darren joined the club during the international break, which we spent hard at work on the training field after an uninspiring start to the Division 1 season. Ahead of our next match, I took some time out to talk tactics with another of our recent signings.

 

Albert Mulder was the 19-year-old prodigy who arrived from Holland for £950,000 with great expectations, but his first four games had not produced any goals. Noticing his sublime technical ability and silky-smooth dribbling style, I suggested to Albert that he should try running with the ball a bit more. He needed to stop rushing into shots, and instead start taking on defenders with more confidence.

 

I hoped Mulder would take my advice on board when we resumed our league campaign at Huddersfield on 11 September. With the intelligent Robert Garside serving as the number 10 to the out-and-out Dutch striker, and the clinical David Collins sitting just behind them in the 'hole', this Kidderminster strike force had devastating potential.

 

11 SEPTEMBER 2010: Huddersfield Town vs Kidderminster Harriers

After 13 minutes, we began to realise that devastating potential. Left-back Alan Gray continued his bright start to the season with a brilliant near-post cross to David Collins, who flicked in his 75th league goal for Kidderminster. With that, Collins became the club's all-time leading league scorer, surpassing Ian Foster's previous record of 74!

 

Collins tried to extend his new record in spectacular style after 36 minutes, but a bicycle kick from Robert Garside's chip was horribly fired deep into the stand. We then survived a couple of scares just before half-time, as a couple of strikes by Huddersfield forward Gavin Holligan narrowly cleared our crossbar.

 

After the break, Albert Mulder looked to put his dribbling skills to the test - and finally get his first Harriers goal. Unfortunately, Simon Ellis had other ideas, as a couple of great saves from the on-loan Manchester United goalkeeper kept our Dutch teenager off the scoresheet... and kept Huddersfield in the contest.

 

The Terriers ended the second period just as strongly as the first, and left-back Åge Nygård almost broke through with a powerful header in the 76th minute. David Preece saved the day with a confident catch, and he also stopped a last-minute effort from substitute midfielder Brendan Sweeney. Preece had preserved his clean sheet and secured us all three points, but boy did he have to work for them!

 

Huddersfield Town - 0

Kidderminster Harriers - 1 (Collins 13)

Division 1, Attendance 11,172 - POSITIONS: Huddersfield 14th, Kidderminster 13th

KIDDERMINSTER LINE-UP (3-5-2 Attacking): Preece; Kooistra, Heikkinen, Unai; Morfitt, Gray; Watson, Derry (Brennan); Collins (S Simpson); Garside (Berry), Mulder.

 

Not the most convincing win, but an encouraging one. If we could cut down on the hairy moments defensively, we could outclass a lot of teams in this division.

 

A few days later, I watched the Under-18s in action. The team manager pointed me towards a gifted 17-year-old midfielder named Ray Bailey.

 

"I've been with the Harriers for years, and this the best lad I've ever had," the coach said. "He's got great technique, good off-the-ball awareness, works hard too. This boy's going to the top, I just know it."

 

However, the coach didn't tell me that Bailey was also rather... high-maintenance. The boy's father doubled up as his agent, and when we discussed a professional contract, Bailey senior demanded we pay his son no less than £5,000 per week - a higher wage than most of our first-teamers. If we didn't oblige, Ray's old man threatened to take him to Birmingham instead.

 

After some tough negotiations, we eventually compromised, agreeing a four-year deal worth £4,000 per week. Bailey's first professional deal had put him on senior wages straight away, though I made it clear to the young lad that he had to prove himself in the reserves first before he would get a chance with the big boys.

 

Next up for the big boys was a home game against fellow mid-tablers Preston, for which I named the same XI that had battled past Huddersfield. Bradley Howe - another 17-year-old midfielder with a bright future - was on the bench, and so was Swedish right-back Billy Berntsson following his recovery from a groin strain.

 

15 SEPTEMBER 2010: Kidderminster Harriers vs Preston North End

Vice-captain Adrian Morfitt defended superbly in the 6th minute, putting Preston's attacking midfielder Ilias Androutsos under just enough pressure to send a header wide. Sadly, disaster struck our right wing-back just nine minutes later, when a gashed leg brought his game to an end. With little time to warm up, Billy Berntsson was already having to come on for his first league appearance this season.

 

Not to worry! Though Preston captain Paul McKenna hypnotised David Collins into conceding possession in the 26th minute, he didn't count on Unai intercepting the ball and playing a brilliant ball over the Lilywhites' defence. Collins ran onto the ball, controlled it superbly, and then unleashed a vicious shot into the top corner!

 

David Moyes' visitors had already spurned several scoring opportunities before Collins' opener, and their struggles in front of the goal continued into the second half. A great chance arose for Preston legend David Healy in the 61st minute, but the Northern Irishman horribly miscued it.

 

Healy's woes continued in the 77th minute, when Kidderminster captain Lee Watson beat him to a through-ball from Preston midfielder Jamie McKenzie. Watson drove the ball out left to Alan Gray, who controlled it with his chest and then floated it deep into the penalty area. And who should pop up with a match-winning header but young Albert Mulder, who in his sixth Harriers game had AT LAST scored his maiden goal!

 

A 2-0 win was secured, but not before some injury-time controversy denied us a third goal. 17-year-old Bradley Howe had dribbled into the Kidderminster box when he was cynically wiped out by visiting defender Colin Drew, yet the referee waved play on! It was then that I realised - the referee was Mark Pericles, who had made so many dodgy calls against us when we played Charlton back in April. Just as well this one didn't make any difference to the result, eh?

 

Kidderminster Harriers - 2 (Collins 28, Mulder 77)

Preston North End - 0

Division 1, Attendance 7,192 - POSITIONS: Kidderminster 10th, Preston 16th

KIDDERMINSTER LINE-UP (3-5-2 Attacking): Preece; Kooistra, Heikkinen, Unai; Morfitt (Berntsson), Gray; Watson, Derry; Collins (Graham); Garside (Howe), Mulder.

 

A second win in a row left us just two points off the play-off places - and with Mulder finally off the mark, things were looking even brighter. Unfortunately, a gashed leg had ruled Adrian Morfitt out for the next fortnight, which meant Berntsson would need to sharpen up quickly.

 

Ahead of our next league match at Fulham, I watched the reserve team take on their Cottagers counterparts. Ray Bailey had a mixed debut for the reserves, showing some very good touches but also squandering possession quite regularly. A more promising performance came from target man Alan Scott, who was now finally back in action after undergoing knee surgery in June. Though Alan didn't score, he still played a big role in securing a 1-1 draw.

 

So, how would the senior team fare when we went to Craven Cottage a few days later? This would be a stern test against 8th-placed Fulham, especially as Garry Hill appeared to have rectified the defensive issues that almost got them relegated last season.

 

18 SEPTEMBER 2010: Fulham vs Kidderminster Harriers

Albert Mulder was on a high after breaking his Kidderminster duck, but this wouldn't be such a lucky day for the youngster. In the first seven minutes, he fired Scott Simpson's through-ball over the crossbar, and also had a free-kick blocked by the Fulham wall. He did get three shots on target later in the first half, but they were all well saved by Wayne Hudson in the Cottagers goal.

 

In fact, Mr Hudson went 'supernova' on any and every shot we sent his way. Simpson saw his brilliant shot repelled by the former Wolves and Tottenham custodian in the 26th minute, while David Collins was denied just before half-time. And with George McCartney at the heart of a rock-solid back three, it would take something incredible to break the deadlock.

 

After 49 minutes, it took something incredible to break the deadlock. From the right wing, Fulham's Jamaican international Dane Richards unleashed a stunning cross that was met by an even sweeter volley from the Cottagers' Greek god Anestis Agritis. David Preece had not done much wrong in the Harriers goal, but even he was left helpless as Agritis' rocket sailed past him.

 

It was a goal worthy of winning any match - and no matter what we tried, that wouldn't change here. Hudson remained almost unstoppable, except when David Collins did beat him with a header from Billy Berntsson in the 78th minute. Sadly, Collins was denied his third goal in as many games by an offside flag against Robert Garside, whose lack of awareness cost us our best chance of taking anything back home.

 

Fulham - 1 (Agritis 49)

Kidderminster Harriers - 0

Division 1, Attendance 10,737 - POSITIONS: Fulham 5th, Kidderminster 10th

KIDDERMINSTER LINE-UP (3-5-2 Attacking): Preece; Kooistra, Heikkinen, Unai; Berntsson, Gray (T Simpson); Watson (Howe), Derry; S Simpson (Garside); Collins, Mulder. BOOKED: Unai.

 

It was just... [say the line...] ...one of those games. We could have played for 180 minutes, and Fulham's defence still wouldn't have relented.

 

By contrast, Carlisle had hit the headlines by demolishing Norwich 6-2 for their first win of the season. Their £750,000 summer signing Kevin O'Donnell scored FIVE goals - his first five goals for the Cumbrians!

 

As you can probably guess, Carlisle were the next team to take on the Harriers, on a warm Friday night at Aggborough. Given their hitherto shaky start to the campaign, and our unbeaten record at home, this was the kind of match most people would expect us to win. Anything other than three points, and serious questions would need to be answered.

 

24 SEPTEMBER 2010: Kidderminster Harriers vs Carlisle United

Robert Garside copped most of the flak for the Fulham defeat, and so he was especially keen to make up for it. In the ninth minute, the centre-forward skilfully dribbled past a couple of Carlisle defenders, including another Wales one-cap wonder in Danny Collins, who gashed his leg while trying to tackle him. As Collins writhed on the floor hurt, Garside carried on before capping his move with a lethal opening strike!

 

While Danny Collins' game was over, David Collins was still going strong for Kidderminster. At the 15-minute mark, David's cross into the Carlisle box was met by a weak clearance from ex-Senegal defender Ousmane Diop. The first man onto the loose ball was Kiddy captain Lee Watson, who then weighted a lovely pass for Garside to score his second goal!

 

And Rob wasn't finished there! Garside completed his hat-trick in the 31st minute, burying Shaun Derry's low cross to completely break Carlisle's spirit. He was also involved in a fourth goal about three minutes before half-time, returning the favour to Watson as our young skipper hammered home his first strike of the season!

 

Garside got a deserved rest at half-time, with 18-year-old Jamie Berry replacing him up front for the second half. A firm tackle from Jamie Richardson in the 48th minute denied Berry the chance to get onto the scoresheet, but Watson converted the rebound to make it 5-0 anyway.

 

Mercifully for Carlisle, the goalscoring ended there, though they tried to add some respectability to the scoreline later. Substitute striker Simon Lynch did find the net from one of their few counter-attacks in the 63rd minute, but he was flagged offside from Richard Cooper's right-wing cross. That scare aside, it had been a great afternoon for the clinical Harriers, scoring five goals from just seven shots!

 

Kidderminster Harriers - 5 (Garside 9,15,31, Watson 42,48)

Carlisle United - 0

Division 1, Attendance 7,201 - POSITIONS: Kidderminster 6th, Carlisle 19th

KIDDERMINSTER LINE-UP (3-5-2 Attacking): Preece; Redhe (Bell), Heikkinen, Unai; Berntsson, T Simpson; Watson (Brennan), Derry; Collins; Garside (Berry), Mulder.

 

Five goals in our first seven matches... and then five goals in 48 minutes. Football's a funny old game, isn't it?

 

While this victory only put us in the play-off places for less than a day, we were already making plans to return. We finished the month with another home game against Crewe, who had made a strong start in their pursuit of an immediate return to the Premiership. Graeme Souness' Railwaymen had scored 17 goals in just eight games, with Lee McCulloch leading the way on five goals.

 

29 SEPTEMBER 2010: Kidderminster Harriers vs Crewe Alexandra

After just 12 minutes, Lee Watson thought he had scored his third goal in two games. The Kidderminster skipper smashed in a low cross from right-back Billy Berntsson, who was unfortunately in an offside position when he received the ball from David Collins. Would that cost us?

 

Thankfully, not in the first half. Crewe's new striker Dave Kitson had only scored once in nine games since his summer transfer from Cambridge United, and his lack of confidence showed in the 31st minute, when he glanced David Vaughan's cross wide. Kitson tried again in the 33rd minute, only to be thwarted first by a David Preece save and then a Shaun Derry clearance.

 

The outcome was still anyone's guess as we headed into the second half. Three minutes after the restart, a handball from visiting midfielder Ian Jones gave us a free-kick just 25 yards from goal. Albert Mulder was eager to prove himself and strongly fancied his chances from the free-kick... and his confidence was justified, as a stunning effort swerved sweetly into the postage stamp! 1-0 to the Harriers!

 

But while one Dutchman had given us the lead, another would soon lose it. I'd brought Frank Kooistra into our defence after Simon Bell picked up a yellow card, but the on-loan Notts County defender struggled to settle into the game. After 69 minutes, he was beaten to a Paul Murray cross by Kitson, whose determination finally paid off with a great headed finish.

 

Having drawn back level, Crewe now had the momentum to push for a late winner. Surprisingly, they didn't get another shot on target until the 90th minute, when Kitson's attempted lob was easily caught by David Preece. But then Preece's long punt upfield was intercepted by Wales midfielder Vaughan, who dribbled past Kooistra's challenge before blasting in an unstoppable strike. The Railwaymen had snatched all three points, shattering our unbeaten home record in the process.

 

Kidderminster Harriers - 1 (Mulder 48)

Crewe Alexandra - 2 (Kitson 69, Vaughan 90)

Division 1, Attendance 7,231 - POSITIONS: Kidderminster 12th, Crewe 2nd

KIDDERMINSTER LINE-UP (3-5-2 Attacking): Preece; Bell (Kooistra), Heikkinen, Unai; Berntsson, Gray; Watson, Derry (Brennan); Collins (S Simpson); Garside, Mulder. BOOKED: Bell.

 

We didn't play badly at all, but it was those moments of pure quality that show why Crewe are genuine automatic promotion contenders - and why we still have some way to go.

 

Mulder had shown plenty of promise in his first full month at Kidderminster - bagging two goals, one assist, and the Division 1 Young Player of the Month award. Everybody knows that Albert is such a precocious talent, but we now need a team (and a tactic) that can make full use of it.

[CFuller]

DIVISION 1 TABLE (End of September 2010)

Pos     Team                            Pld  Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Pts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st     Chesterfield                    9    3    1    0    6    1    4    1    0    9    5    23   
2nd     Crewe                           9    4    0    0    11   3    2    2    1    8    7    20   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd     Torquay                         9    5    0    0    13   2    1    1    2    3    4    19   
4th     Fulham                          9    3    0    1    7    2    2    2    1    9    6    17   
5th     West Ham                        9    3    2    0    6    1    1    2    1    6    4    16   
6th     Sheff Utd                       9    4    0    1    15   5    1    1    2    2    6    16   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7th     Grimsby                         9    2    2    0    7    3    2    2    1    3    2    16   
8th     Nottm Forest                    9    4    0    0    13   3    1    0    4    3    13   15   
9th     Tottenham                       9    4    0    1    9    3    0    2    2    6    9    14   
10th    Dag & Red                       9    2    3    0    3    1    1    2    1    1    1    14   
11th    Charlton                        8    2    1    1    7    4    1    3    0    3    2    13   
12th    Kidderminster                   9    3    1    1    10   3    1    0    3    1    5    13   
13th    Birmingham                      9    2    0    2    8    8    2    1    2    13   13   13   
14th    Swindon                         9    1    2    1    5    4    2    1    2    9    6    12   
15th    Huddersfield                    9    0    1    3    1    4    3    2    0    8    4    12   
16th    W.B.A.                          9    1    2    2    7    8    1    2    1    4    5    10   
17th    Preston                         9    1    3    0    7    4    1    0    4    2    9    9    
18th    Sunderland                      9    1    3    1    4    4    0    1    3    0    7    7    
19th    Norwich                         9    1    2    2    10   11   0    1    3    6    14   6    
20th    Carlisle                        9    1    2    1    7    4    0    1    4    1    13   6    
21st    Notts Co                        9    0    3    2    3    5    0    2    2    5    11   5    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22nd    Bristol City                    9    0    1    3    1    8    1    1    3    3    12   5    
23rd    Aston Villa                     8    0    3    2    6    10   0    1    2    1    3    4    
24th    Millwall                        9    0    1    3    4    8    0    2    3    3    9    3    

 

ELSEWHERE IN FOOTBALL...

• Joe O'Shea scores five goals in five games as Manchester United storm to the top of the Premiership with a 100% record. The Red Devils look invincible... but not in the Champions League, where they suffer away defeats to both VfB Stuttgart and Lille. You know things are going badly when your attackers are being outsmarted by Martin Taylor and Djimi Traoré.
• Arsène Wenger insists that he does not see the Premiership table, even though it shows Arsenal in 15th place after the champions lose 2-1 at newly-promoted Bradford. Wenger also fails to see big summer signing Patrick Kluivert, who is left on the bench as Bantams midfielder Sebastian Larsson punches in a winner against his former club.
• Vegard Skogheim's tenure as Bayern München manager is off to a terrible start, with four straight defeats plunging the sleeping giants into the Bundesliga drop zone. Skogheim decides to gamble £2.5million on explosive striker Maksim Tsyhalka, who made only 80 appearances in eight years at Roma, despite scoring 60 goals for Belarus.
• Despite losing their Champions League opener at Liverpool, Celtic declare themselves as serious contenders by outclassing Valencia 3-2 at the Mestalla. The Bhoys' former Manchester United forward Paul Scholes is back on the big stage and soon proves that - even at the age of 35 - he still cannot tackle.
• England's new manager Sammy Lee inspires the Three Lions to beat Georgia 3-0 and Iceland 1-0 in their opening European Championship qualifiers. Meanwhile, Spain faces Wales again just two months after the World Cup Final, with La Furia Roja coming from 2-1 down to prevail 3-2 in a thrilling group opener in Cardiff.

 

IN OTHER NEWS...

• In the battle of the Milibands, Ed narrowly beats his older brother David to become the new leader of the Labour Party. While David sulks off to New York, Ed sets about returning Labour to power after their election defeat in May... and the pro-Conservative Daily Mail starts looking for incriminating evidence against the Miliband family.
• Former Labour leader and Prime Minister Tony Blair releases his memoirs, and the reviews are... not great. One paragraph, in which Blair described making love to his wife Cherie on the night his predecessor John Smith died, is nominated by "Literary Review" magazine for its Bad Sex In Fiction prize.
• ITV premieres its new historical drama “Downton Abbey”, which tells the stories of an aristocratic family and their servants at a Yorkshire country house. The series takes place during the reign of King Edward V, whose son Bertie – the future George VI – tries to overcome his st-st-stammer in the new Colin Firth film “The King’s Speech”.
• Cheryl Tweedy refuses to fight for this love anymore and divorces her first husband Ashley Cole. The 27-year-old Girls Aloud singer seeks advice from Katie Price on how to sustain a long-term relationship.

[CFuller]

OCTOBER 2010

Kidderminster's league campaign had got off to a decent start, with four wins, four defeats and a single draw to our name. We were already eight points clear of the relegation zone - but if we had wanted to challenge for the play-offs, we would need to be more clinical in front of goal. 11 goals in nine matches just won’t do.

 

After missing the start of the campaign, the popular target man Alan Scott was finally ready to return to league action. He was named on the bench for our trip to south London, with Albert Mulder and Robert Garside leading our attack against a Millwall team who were winless and rock-bottom.

 

2 OCTOBER 2010: Millwall vs Kidderminster Harriers

Despite their lowly position, Millwall had an ace up their sleeves. Former Arsenal striker Nwankwo Kanu had recently arrived on a free transfer from Hertha BSC, and when Unai conceded a foul close to our area in the 9th minute, the Nigerian veteran punished him with a devastating free-kick. 1-0 to the basement dwellers.

 

However, thing started to turn in the 26th minute, when Millwall's former England Under-21s winger Matthew Simmonds went down with a leg injury. By the 33rd minute, we had stolen the momentum. Albert Mulder's deft chip into the Lions' area was met by a superb header from David Collins, who sent us into the break with the scores level at 1-1.

 

We grew with confidence in the second half, as Robert Garside tested Millwall keeper Gary Smith in the 48th minute. Seven minutes later, when Kanu pushed Harriers captain Lee Watson about 25 yards from goal, we had an opportunity to take the lead. Mulder delivered the free-kick into the box, where another Collins header completed the turnaround.

 

After scoring goals in the 33rd and 55th minutes, it seemed inevitable that Collins would complete his hat-trick in the 77th. He used his head to devastating effect again, but this time, the assist came from a right-wing cross by Billy Berntsson. Smith's inability to save Collins' headers was shattering for Millwall, who had a potential Kanu equaliser ruled out for offside just six minutes before David's third goal.

 

Millwall - 1 (Kanu 9)

Kidderminster Harriers - 3 (Collins 33,55,77)

Division 1, Attendance 18,428 - POSITIONS: Millwall 24th, Kidderminster 8th

KIDDERMINSTER LINE-UP (3-5-2 Attacking): Preece; Kooistra, Heikkinen, Unai (Redhe); Berntsson, Gray; Watson, Derry; Collins (S Simpson); Garside, Mulder (Scott). BOOKED: Unai, Kooistra.

 

Fancy that! We spent nearly a million quid on a new teenage striker, and yet a 30-year-old David Collins is still our biggest goal threat!

 

Unfortunately, Unai would be out for the next three weeks with a damaged foot. Losing such a key defender would have been a disaster if it had come in the middle of a packed schedule - but as our next match wasn't for another fortnight, his absence wouldn't be felt quite so keenly. Thank you, sweet international break!

 

Two weeks later, we went back on the road to face another team who were promoted to Division 1 alongside Millwall last season. After spending a full decade in Division 2, Swindon's continued faith in long-time manager Roy Evans was finally repaid when they finished runners-up. The Robins were bobbing along nicely back at this level, and a home victory at the City Ground would see them leapfrog us in the table.

 

As far as we were concerned, Tobias Redhe replaced Unai on the left side of our defence. There was also a recall at right wing-back for vice-captain Adrian Morfitt, who'd missed our last four games with a leg injury.

 

16 OCTOBER 2010: Swindon Town vs Kidderminster Harriers

We were on the attack after just 10 minutes. David Collins headed a Lee Watson long ball goalwards, but Swindon goalkeeper Nicky Weaver managed to tip that away, before also saving the rebound shot from Robert Garside. However, that was not a thing of signs to come - we wouldn't get another shot on target all game long.

 

Four minutes later, Swindon took the lead thanks to an excellent drive from midfielder Keith Baker. They almost added another goal just seconds after the restart, but Spain Under-21s striker Carlos Ballesta sent a header inches wide.

 

Ballesta's next attack was more devastating. After 22 minutes, a furious strike from the former West Ham youngster drew an awkward save from David Preece, who was helpless to keep out the rebound. That put us 2-0 down, though Preece regained enough composure to stop Ballesta from making it 3-0 before the first half-hour was up.

 

Despite creating several more opportunities over the next 60 minutes, Swindon could not increase their two-goal advantage, thanks in part to some fine goalkeeping from Preece. The Robins' gameplan had been very effective, especially when it came to stifling Albert Mulder, who had three shots at goal and never got close with any of them.

 

Swindon Town - 2 (Baker 14, Ballesta 22)

Kidderminster Harriers - 0

Division 1, Attendance 11,158 - POSITIONS: Swindon 9th, Kidderminster 11th

KIDDERMINSTER LINE-UP (3-5-2 Attacking): Preece; Kooistra (Brennan), Heikkinen, Redhe; Morfitt, Gray; Watson, Derry; Collins; Garside (Scott), Mulder. BOOKED: Heikkinen.

 

It was easy to blame Mulder again, but I spared most of my criticism for another young Dutchman. Frank Kooistra had made too many mistakes at the back since arriving on loan from Grimsby, and we were much more solid once Jim Brennan replaced him. If Kooistra's performances didn't improve soon, he would be on the first train back to Cleethorpes.

 

Both Kooistra and Mulder were benched, and Collins was rested, when we welcomed Birmingham to Aggborough in midweek. The Blues had justified their pre-season favourites tag by scoring 25 goals in just 11 matches... but they had also conceded 27, which meant they were floundering in 15th place. Expect goals a-plenty!

 

19 OCTOBER 2010: Kidderminster Harriers vs Birmingham City

We immediately hit Birmingham with an aggressive high-pressing game. Though Shaun Derry and Terry Simpson both overstepped the mark and picked up yellow cards, the Blues were clearly rattled. In the 17th minute, just moments after their star striker Tom Youngs was forced off with a thigh injury, the visitors suffered another blow when Jamie Berry headed us into the lead from Lee Watson's corner.

 

That was Berry's first competitive goal of the season - and in the 31st minute, another player doubled our lead with his first ever Kidderminster strike! After Derry's free-kick rebounded off the Birmingham wall, Simon Bell unexpectedly came forward and unleashed a piledriver into the top corner! The 26-year-old centre-back might have fallen out of favour recently, but perhaps this would rejuvenate his Harriers career?

 

Jørn Mikkelsen's nightmare in the Blues goal continued just before half-time. In the 43rd minute, Berry beat the Norwegian shotstopper to a Jim Brennan free-kick, which doubled our teenage striker's tally. When we won another free-kick two minutes later, Derry stepped forward and fired it straight into the net, clinching his first goal of the campaign!

 

Being 4-0 up at half-time, we predictably took things a bit easier in the second half. 17-year-old midfielder Bradley Howe came on for some more experience, and by all accounts did a pretty good job protecting our backline. At the other end, we would find the net just once more, as Robert Garside effortlessly dribbled past Blues defender Chris Senior en route to giving us a 5-0 lead after 69 minutes. Nice.

 

Birmingham had clearly lost the game, so they relaxed for the final 20 minutes, and even pulled back a couple of goals. Midfielder Richard Hughes' strike in the 71st minute was his first goal of the season, making him the FOURTH player to break his duck in this match. The last word went to his midfield colleague and namesake Richard Murphy, whose effort seven minutes from full-time made it 5-2 in the end.

 

Kidderminster Harriers - 5 (Berry 17,43, Bell 31, Derry 45, Garside 69)

Birmingham City - 2 (Hughes 71, Murphy 83)

Division 1, Attendance 7,222 - POSITIONS: Kidderminster 8th, Birmingham 17th

KIDDERMINSTER LINE-UP (3-5-2 Attacking): Preece; Brennan, Heikkinen, Bell; Berntsson, T Simpson (Gray); Watson, Derry (Howe); Garside; Scott, Berry. BOOKED: Derry, T Simpson.

 

Well... I expected goals, but not quite that many! And what a performance from Jamie Berry, who's now on 15 goals and 9 assists in 57 career league games. He's still only 18!

 

There were still a few defensive issues without Unai. The good news was that the Spaniard returned to full fitness just in time for our trip to 9th-placed West Ham, whose backline was rather more resilient than Birmingham's. This would be much more of a struggle, I reckoned.

 

23 OCTOBER 2010: West Ham United vs Kidderminster Harriers

Dave Nugent almost gave West Ham the lead after three minutes, when his diving header was well caught by David Preece. Though another Nugent header in the 16th minute was again saved by Preece, he would soon get another bite at the cherry. Former Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher got to the loose ball and returned it to Nugent, who found some space before making it third time lucky.

 

The Hammers' momentum could have been killed stone dead in the 24th minute, when winger Luis Boa Morte suffered a game-ending leg injury. Sadly, we failed to take advantage, and some shocking defending from Simon Bell allowed home captain Pablo Niño to head in their second goal just before the break.

 

El Niño struck with hurricane force again in the 60th minute, when the 32-year-old Spaniard headed Thomas Holt's left-wing cross in at the near post. Preece was understandably furious at his defenders - not least substitute Frank Kooistra, whose tactical awareness was once again under huge scrutiny.

 

Though there was no late drama for these Eastenders to endure, we did at least take something away from Upton Park. An 82nd-minute own goal from West Ham's Finnish defender Miika Koppinen brought a smile to the face of his compatriot Markus Heikkinen, if nothing else.

 

West Ham United - 3 (Nugent 16, Pablo Niño 41,60)

Kidderminster Harriers - 1 (Koppinen og82)

Division 1, Attendance 17,986 - POSITIONS: West Ham 9th, Kidderminster 12th

KIDDERMINSTER LINE-UP (3-5-2 Attacking): Preece; Bell, Heikkinen, Unai (Kooistra); Berntsson, T Simpson (Gray); Watson, Derry; Collins (Howe); Garside, Berry.

 

We were now five points off the play-off places, following a fifth defeat in seven away games. Perhaps we needed to take a more conservative approach on the road?

 

I switched to a 4-4-2 diamond when we went to Bristol City a week later. Gary Speed's Robins might have slumped to the bottom of the table after scoring just five league goals this season, but the Division 2 champions from last season still couldn't be underestimated.

 

30 OCTOBER 2010: Bristol City vs Kidderminster Harriers

Bristol City immediately pushed forward for an early goal, only to be hit by a Daggers counter-attack. Albert Mulder latched onto a long header from Robert Garside, then dribbled past defender Ben Chorley to have a clear run on goal. With just the keeper Steve Griffiths left to beat, Mulder blasted the ball into the top corner for just his third Kidderminster goal!

 

Our midfielders then took full control of the game 15 minutes later. Captain Lee Watson played an excellent pass to the feet of veteran Shaun Derry, who skipped past defender Darren Ward (no relation to our new reserve goalie) and duly doubled our advantage to 2-0!

 

Derry tormented Bristol City again in the 30th minute, making a vital interception to stop Delroy Facey's chip from finding his strike partner Lomana Lua-Lua. This clearly riled Lua-Lua, whose temper eventually got the better of him eight minutes later. After we were awarded a rather dubious free-kick, the former Newcastle forward unleashed a torrent of abuse at the referee and was shown the red card!

 

Having been reduced to 10 men, Gary's hosts could not get up to Speed again. Many spectators at Ashton Gate were already heading for home by the 58th minute, when a rocket from attacking midfielder Scott Simpson completed a 3-0 Harriers win.

 

Bristol City - 0

Kidderminster Harriers - 3 (Mulder 1, Derry 16, S Simpson 58)

Division 1, Attendance 12,251 - POSITIONS: Bristol City 24th, Kidderminster 11th

KIDDERMINSTER LINE-UP (4-4-2 Diamond): Preece; Berntsson (Kooistra), Redhe, Unai, T Simpson (Gray); Heikkinen; Watson (Howe), Derry; S Simpson; Garside, Mulder. BOOKED: T Simpson, Watson.

 

Though right-back Billy Berntsson suffered a knee injury late on, it was otherwise the perfect match for us. Our third away win of the season also leaves us in a positive position - four points off the play-off places, but 15 clear of the bottom three!

 

I don't think Kidderminster fans will have to worry about the threat of relegation this season! (Famous last words...)

Edited March 28 by CFuller

[CFuller]

DIVISION 1 TABLE (End of October 2010)

Pos     Team                            Pld  Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Pts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st     Crewe                           15   8    0    0    19   6    4    2    1    12   8    38   
2nd     Sheff Utd                       14   6    0    1    23   7    3    2    2    10   9    29   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd     Grimsby                         14   6    2    0    17   5    2    3    1    4    3    29   
4th     Chesterfield                    14   4    1    1    9    3    5    1    2    13   12   29   
5th     Torquay                         14   5    1    0    14   3    3    3    2    11   9    28   
6th     West Ham                        15   4    3    1    11   6    3    2    2    10   7    26   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7th     Charlton                        14   3    2    1    9    5    3    5    0    8    5    25   
8th     Nottm Forest                    14   7    0    1    19   7    1    0    5    3    14   24   
9th     Fulham                          14   4    0    3    13   7    3    2    2    10   7    23   
10th    Swindon                         14   4    3    1    13   6    2    1    3    11   9    22   
11th    Kidderminster                   14   4    1    1    15   5    3    0    5    8    11   22   
12th    Preston                         14   4    3    1    14   8    2    0    4    4    10   21   
13th    Huddersfield                    15   2    1    5    6    9    3    3    1    9    6    19   
14th    Tottenham                       14   4    1    1    12   6    1    2    5    12   19   18   
15th    Birmingham                      14   3    1    4    16   17   2    1    3    15   18   17   
16th    W.B.A.                          15   2    2    3    10   10   2    2    4    8    13   16   
17th    Dag & Red                       14   2    4    0    4    2    1    2    5    2    8    15   
18th    Aston Villa                     14   1    3    2    9    12   2    2    4    10   12   14   
19th    Carlisle                        14   3    2    3    13   12   0    2    4    2    14   13   
20th    Notts Co                        14   1    3    2    4    5    1    2    5    11   19   11   
21st    Sunderland                      14   1    4    1    5    5    0    1    7    2    14   8    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22nd    Millwall                        14   1    2    5    6    13   0    2    4    3    10   7    
23rd    Norwich                         14   1    2    4    14   17   0    2    5    11   26   7    
24th    Bristol City                    14   0    2    6    2    16   1    1    4    3    14   6    

 

ELSEWHERE IN FOOTBALL...

• While Chelsea remain undefeated in all competitions, Manchester United continue their relentless pursuit of the Premiership title with nine wins from their first 10 matches. Their only blip is a 2-1 defeat at Highbury to Arsenal, who climb back up to 7th place, despite Arsène Wenger's insistence on playing 16-year-old Robbie Lynch in goal.
• Alan Shearer is sacked as Everton manager after a disastrous six-month tenure. It follows a crushing 5-0 defeat at Crystal Palace that leaves the Toffees stuck in the relegation zone, with just one win and one goal from their first 11 games. Everton's players are met with a barrage of boos, much to the annoyance of misfiring captain Wayne Rooney.
• Michael Owen scores his 40th England goal in a comfortable 4-0 away win over Bulgaria, while Rangers striker Eiður Guðjohnsen condemns Scotland to a shock 1-0 defeat in Reykjavík. Upon his return to Edinburgh, a furious Tartan Army boss Maurice Malpas declares, "I hate Iceland!"
• Lazio loosen their grip on the Serie A scudetto after Alberto Gilardino scores a 90th-minute winner for Roma in the Olimpico derby. Roma remain undefeated with 18 points from eight games... as do Reggina, who continue their strong start with a shock 3-1 win over Milan. Meanwhile in France, Ligue 2 side Nice try to stave off relegation by appointing Wycombe's Ryan Giggs as their new manager.
• Could this be Valencia's year in La Liga? Despite struggling to qualify from their Champions League group, Claudio Ranieri's side climb to the top of their league thanks to a José Mari hat-trick at Celta, who slump back into the relegation zone. Celta boss David O'Leary wonders whether he should have stayed at Elland Road after all.

 

IN OTHER NEWS...

• 69 days after a mine collapses in the Chilean city of Copiapó, leaving 33 miners trapped 700 metres underground, a huge rescue effort comes to an end. Miraculously, all 33 men are rescued and survive.
• San Francisco-based programmers Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger launch their new social networking service Instagram. Now people from around the world can share photos of what they had for breakfast!
• In one of the most mismatched celebrity weddings of recent times, sugar-sweet American pop superstar Katy Perry marries the troublemaking British comedian/man-child Russell Brand. Katy decides not to take Russell's surname over fears she might get confused for another Katy Brand.
• British entertainer Sir Norman Wisdom - whose comedy films in the 1950s and 1960s made him a much-loved international star - dies on the Isle of Man aged 95. He was especially popular in Albania, where he was one of the few Western actors whose films were allowed to be shown under Enver Hoxha's communist dictatorship.

[CFuller]

NOVEMBER 2010

Our last eight matches had been the dictionary definition of inconsistent - four wins, four defeats. We were still having a fine season, sitting 11th in Division 1, but we needed to become more reliable to stay in play-off contention.

 

November would be a busy month, with six league matches on our schedule - including four at home. The first of those was against Steve Bruce's Nottingham Forest, who were two points ahead of us in 8th place, but who were missing their midfield talisman Tonton Zola Moukoko through injury.

 

3 NOVEMBER 2010: Kidderminster Harriers vs Nottingham Forest

We got off to a positive start, creating a couple of good chances that were well defended by Forest. The pressure we were putting our visitors under eventually told in the 26th minute, when Albert Mulder drew a foul from Jody Craddock in the penalty area. Vice-captain Adrian Morfitt stepped forward to dispatch the penalty - his first goal this season.

 

However, our lead would last just five minutes. An excellent free-kick from Scott Wilson was volleyed in by Forest's legendary captain Andy Reid, who had surprisingly had a barren run of form in front of goal this season. In fact, that was also his first goal of the campaign.

 

We created a couple of opportunities to restore our lead in the 36th minute. Mulder's fierce strike from just outside the area was tipped behind by Stuart Sadler, who also kept out David Collins' header from the subsequent corner. Sadler might only have been 19 years of age, but he was certainly showing why he was one of the country's best young goalkeepers.

 

Sadly, we would not threaten the target again. Thankfully, some determined defending from Tobias Redhe helped keep any Nottingham Forest attacks at bay throughout the second half. After a tricky contest against the Tricky Trees, we were somewhat relieved to come away with a share of the points.

 

Kidderminster Harriers - 1 (Morfitt pen26)

Nottingham Forest - 1 (Reid 31)

Division 1, Attendance 7,196 - POSITIONS: Kidderminster 11th, Nottm Forest 8th

KIDDERMINSTER LINE-UP (3-5-2 Attacking): Preece; Redhe, Heikkinen, Unai (Kooistra); Morfitt, Gray; Watson (Howe), Derry; Collins; Garside, Mulder (Berry).

 

Another tricky home game awaited us three days later. Sheffield United had parted company with Neil Warnock over the summer and had been re-energised by their new manager Graham Rix, who had taken them up to 3rd position. With an average rating of 7.89, Italian wing-back Raffaele Mazzocco was one of the league's stand-out performers.

 

6 NOVEMBER 2010: Kidderminster Harriers vs Sheffield United

Albert Mulder had not quite hit top scoring form, and this would be another fruitless day at the office for the young Dutchman. After dribbling skilfully past Sheffield United centre-backs Benny Winther and Domenico Palmieri in the fifth minute, he was thwarted by the Blades' last line of defence in goalkeeper Justin Bray.

 

Mulder had another great effort saved by Bray in the 37th minute, after receiving a great through-ball from attacking midfielder Robert Garside. On this occasion, however, Albert's strike partner Jamie Berry was on hand to bury the loose ball - giving us a 1-0 lead at half-time!

 

Unfortunately, Mulder would not return for the second period. He appeared to have suffered a toe injury late in the first half and was unable to continue. Taking his place was the evergreen David Collins, who unluckily sent a shot flying over United's crossbar in the 48th minute.

 

As the second half progress, Graham Rix's Blades gradually sharpened up. Iran midfielder Hamed Kavianpour clipped a shot against the crossbar in the 54th minute - a warning of what was to come. Ten minutes before full-time, Kavianpour tried his luck again from a flick-on by young substitute Steve Cole, and this time, David Preece was well beaten. For the second time in four days, we had been held to a 1-1 draw at home.

 

Kidderminster Harriers - 1 (Berry 37)

Sheffield United - 1 (Kavianpour 80)

Division 1, Attendance 7,231 - POSITIONS: Kidderminster 11th, Sheff Utd 4th

KIDDERMINSTER LINE-UP (3-5-2 Attacking): Preece; Redhe, Heikkinen, Kooistra; Morfitt (T Simpson), Gray; Watson, Derry (Howe); Garside, Berry, Mulder (Collins). BOOKED: Derry.

 

The news about Albert Mulder's injury wasn't as bad as I feared. The Dutch forward had stubbed his toe, which meant that while he would sit out our upcoming trip to West Brom, he would likely return the following weekend.

 

Mulder was soon joined on the sidelines by David Collins, who bruised his thigh. That meant a recall for big Alan Scott, who had featured just three times this season and needed to justify his place in the squad.

 

There was an incredible atmosphere at the Hawthorns for the Friday night Midlands derby against West Brom. An away win would reinvigorate our play-off charge, but defeat would see the 16th-placed Baggies overtake us in the standings.

 

12 NOVEMBER 2010: West Bromwich Albion vs Kidderminster Harriers

You probably know I don't exactly have a great relationship with Canadians - and Frank Yallop's hosts gave me an early kick in the Canucks after just 12 minutes. David Preece parried behind a fierce shot from Baggies midfielder Gary Jones to concede a corner, which was brilliantly delivered into the box by left-back Mike Holland. Then came a devastating header from ex-Liverpool striker Neil Mellor, who headed in his 14th goal in 14 games for Albion.

 

After a couple of wayward efforts from Kiddy midfielder Scott Simpson, West Brom were back on the offensive. Jones' promising run towards goal might have been stopped by Shaun Derry, but our reliable anchor couldn't keep the loose ball away from the advancing winger Wade Elliott. A first-time strike flew into the top corner, and we trailed 2-0 at the break.

 

With our situation looking pretty dire, I switched from a 3-5-2 to a more conservative 4-4-2 diamond for the second half. Markus Heikkinen had been a surprisingly weak link in our defence, so I brought Canadian defensive midfielder Jim Brennan back into the fold. I also brought on Alan Scott, in the hope that he could be a big focal point for our counter-attacks.

 

Yeah... those changes wouldn't have made a difference if we were still rotten at defending corners. When Preece gave away another corner in the 64th minute, our defenders forgot any lessons they had learnt from last time out. Another Holland delivery, another Mellor header, another goal, 3-bloody-nil.

 

There was some late respite when Mellor suffered a knee ligament injury in the 74th minute, ending his hopes of scoring a hat-trick. Even so, it was still a miserable performance for the Harriers.

 

West Bromwich Albion - 3 (Mellor 12,64, Elliott 36)

Kidderminster Harriers - 0

Division 1, Attendance 15,754 - POSITIONS: West Brom 10th, Kidderminster 12th

KIDDERMINSTER LINE-UP (3-5-2 Attacking): Preece; Bell, Heikkinen (Brennan), Kooistra; Morfitt, Gray (T Simpson); Watson, Derry; S Simpson; Garside (Scott), Berry.

 

Well, then. Guess we still have some way to go before we're challenging for the play-offs.

 

At least one Harrier had a good weekend. 19-year-old striker Paul Graham had just joined Division 3 side Telford on loan until the end of the season to gain some more first-team experience. Graham didn't score on his debut, but the promising Scotsman did help the Bucks beat Colchester 1-0.

 

Our next match was at home to Chris Kamara's Torquay, who had continued to defy the odds and were in 6th place. Having taken the Gulls all the way from the bottom of Division 3 to a position where Premiership football was a realistic prospect, Kammy was clearly a talented manager whose skills would be coveted by bigger clubs.

 

I certainly don't see myself as being at Kammy's level, so I was surprised when Kidderminster chairman Darren Gibson called me into his office - and told me that Fulham had made an approach for my services. The Cottagers were just ahead of us in the standings, and their manager Garry Hill had been poached by top-flight Bradford.

 

Kidderminster were not really in a financial position to reject Fulham's approach - we were still losing money hand over fist. By contrast, the Cottagers were wealthy, ambitious, and had strong Premiership aspirations.

 

Later that week, I travelled to west London and was interviewed at Craven Cottage by Richard Bailey - a millionaire businessman who was in his second year as Fulham's chairman. Despite having a high turnover of managers after narrowly escaping relegation for three straight seasons, I sensed that this club was itching to play in the Premiership again for the first time since 2005.

 

Upon my return to Worcestershire, I told my Kidderminster players to ignore any speculation about my future. It was vital that we stayed focussed on the job at hand - beating Torquay at Aggborough, and getting our season back on track.

 

Both Mulder and Collins were back in the line-up from injury, but there was one surprising absence when I announced my starting XI. Captain Lee Watson had been in poor form over the past few weeks, so I decided to drop him to the bench - and instead gave 17-year-old midfielder Bradley Howe his first league start of the season.

 

20 NOVEMBER 2010: Kidderminster Harriers vs Torquay United

Torquay's emergence as play-off contenders had been sparked by the signings of two new strikers in the summer - Luton veteran Lee Hughes, and our former Sheffield United nemesis Jimmy Moran. Both men had their opportunities in the first half, but David Preece held his nerve to keep his clean sheet intact... for the time being.

 

Then, after 24 minutes, we stunned Chris Kamara's boys with an unbelievable counter-attack. Teenager Bradley Howe showed great composure to play a 30-yard ball to David Collins, who chested it down and then set up a tidy finish for Robert Garside. That gave us a 1-0 lead, which we managed to cling onto until the second minute of the second half...

 

...when Howe won us a corner. Shaun Derry ran up to take the set-piece, which he swung onto the head of Markus Heikkinen, giving our experienced Finnish stopper his first goal of the season! Was it game over?

 

Another Finland centre-back had other ideas. Three minutes after Heikkinen's opener, his international team-mate Sampsa Timoska unleashed a fierce shot that was awkwardly blocked by Markus' defensive colleague Unai. The first man onto the loose ball was another Torquay player - free-scoring midfielder Kevin Allan, whose unstoppable effort pulled it back to 2-1.

 

The Gulls had fresh hope, and when Kamara replaced a tiring Hughes with Jamaican journeyman David Johnson, they also had fresh legs up front. A marksman of Johnson's experience should have buried a clever lob from Moran in the 63rd minute, but he somehow put it horribly wide. Moran then let us off again by missing another equalising opportunity in the 69th.

 

Torquay would rue those misses after 72 minutes, when Garside's floated cross was converted by Albert Mulder for a 3-1 Kidderminster lead. Seven minutes after that, Garside sealed victory with his second goal of the afternoon, pouncing on a rebound from Howe's blocked shot. After losing by three goals the previous weekend, we had inflicted the same punishment on our visitors from Devon.

 

Kidderminster Harriers - 4 (Garside 24,79, Heikkinen 47, Mulder 72)

Torquay United - 1 (Allan 50)

Division 1, Attendance 7,217 - POSITIONS: Kidderminster 13th, Torquay 7th

KIDDERMINSTER LINE-UP (3-5-2 Attacking): Preece; Redhe, Heikkinen (Scott), Unai (Kooistra); Morfitt, Gray; Howe, Derry; Collins (Watson); Garside, Mulder. BOOKED: Unai.

 

Despite our return to winning ways, there was some bad news - Markus Heikkinen would be out for the next three weeks after twisting his knee in the closing stages. Kidderminster's defence wasn't exactly the most stable in Division 1, but Markus had missed only 14 of my 124 competitive games as Harriers manager, so his absence would be significant.

 

Before going down the tunnel, I applauded the home fans to thank them for their support. I suspected that this might be my last home game at Aggborough and felt that it was important to show my gratitude to the fans while I still had the chance.

 

Less than 48 hours later, the time had indeed come to say goodbye. A compensation package had been agreed between Kidderminster and Fulham, contracts had been signed, and my move to Craven Cottage was about to be announced.

 

After the sudden and acrimonious end to my Dagenham & Redbridge tenure, I was grateful to Kidderminster for giving me the opportunity to resume my managerial career. I'm sure the feeling was mutual, after guiding the Harriers up through the Division 2 play-offs - and then consolidating the club's status in Division 1.

 

Can Kidderminster continue their upward trajectory without me? Can this little club eventually make it all the way to the Premiership? Who knows? If one thing was certain, though, it was that I would be leaving Aggborough in much happier circumstances than when I had left Victoria Road.

 

After two-and-a-half wonderful years in Worcestershire, the time had come to return home to London - and take on the next challenge of my career.

Edited October 12, 2023 by CFuller

[CFuller]

DIVISION 1 TABLE (2010/2011 - up to 22 November 2010)

Pos     Team                            Pld  Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Pts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st     Crewe                           19   9    1    0    23   7    4    2    3    13   14   42   
2nd     Grimsby                         18   6    3    0    17   5    4    4    1    8    5    37   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd     Chesterfield                    18   6    1    2    15   7    5    2    2    14   13   36   
4th     Sheff Utd                       18   7    1    1    27   9    3    3    3    11   12   34   
5th     Charlton                        18   5    2    2    14   7    3    6    0    9    6    32   
6th     West Ham                        19   5    3    1    12   6    4    2    4    13   11   32   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7th     Torquay                         18   6    1    1    21   7    3    3    4    13   15   31   
8th     Preston                         18   6    3    1    19   11   3    0    5    6    13   30   
9th     Birmingham                      18   4    1    4    20   18   5    1    3    24   23   29   
10th    Nottm Forest                    18   8    0    1    22   8    1    2    6    6    18   29   
11th    Fulham                          18   5    1    3    16   9    3    3    3    12   10   28   
12th    Huddersfield                    19   3    1    5    10   10   5    3    2    13   9    28   
13th    Kidderminster                   18   5    3    1    21   8    3    0    6    8    14   27   
14th    Tottenham                       18   7    1    1    18   7    1    2    6    12   20   27   
15th    W.B.A.                          19   5    2    3    17   11   2    2    5    8    16   25   
16th    Swindon                         18   4    3    2    13   7    2    2    5    15   15   23   
17th    Aston Villa                     18   3    3    3    12   13   2    2    5    11   15   20   
18th    Notts Co                        18   3    3    3    11   10   1    2    6    11   23   17   
19th    Sunderland                      18   3    5    1    9    6    0    2    7    2    14   16   
20th    Carlisle                        18   4    2    3    14   12   0    2    7    5    23   16   
21st    Dag & Red                       18   2    4    3    5    7    1    2    6    2    9    15   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22nd    Norwich                         18   2    3    4    17   18   0    2    7    12   31   11   
23rd    Millwall                        18   1    3    5    8    15   0    3    6    4    16   9    
24th    Bristol City                    18   0    3    6    3    17   1    1    7    3    19   7    

[oche balboa]

Good Luck at Fulham. 

[CFuller]

KIDDERMINSTER PLAYER STATISTICS (2010/2011 - up to 22 November 2010)

Goalkeepers                    Apps     Con    Asts   Yel    Red    MoM    Av R
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*   Baardsen, Espen            1        3      0      0      0      0      5.00   
26  Preece, David              18       22     0      0      0      0      7.28   

Outfield Players               Apps     Gls    Asts   Yel    Red    MoM    Av R
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4   Bell, Simon                6 (1)    1      0      1      0      0      6.00   
17  Berntsson, Billy           7 (1)    0      1      0      0      0      7.38   
9   Berry, Jamie               6 (4)    3      2      0      0      1      7.10   
15  Brennan, Jim               4 (6)    0      1      1      0      0      6.40   
31  Collins, David             13 (2)   6      2      0      0      2      7.00   
12  Derry, Shaun               18 (1)   2      2      2      0      0      7.11   
10  Garside, Robert            16 (1)   7      3      0      0      3      7.18   
11  Graham, Paul               2 (2)    1      0      0      0      0      6.75   
19  Gray, Alan                 13 (3)   0      2      0      0      0      6.94   
6   Heikkinen, Markus          19       1      0      1      0      0      6.95   
18  Howe, Bradley              2 (8)    1      0      0      0      0      6.90   
21  Kooistra, Frank            8 (8)    0      0      1      0      1      6.63   
7   Morfitt, Adrian            11       1      1      1      0      2      7.27   
27  Mulder, Albert             14 (1)   4      4      1      0      1      7.67   
5   Redhe, Tobias              8 (1)    0      0      0      0      0      6.67   
23  Scott, Alan                1 (4)    0      0      0      0      0      6.60   
16  Simpson, Scott             4 (6)    1      0      0      0      0      6.70   
3   Simpson, Terry             7 (4)    0      0      4      0      0      6.82   
2   Unai                       14       0      1      4      0      0      6.86   
14  Watson, Lee                17 (1)   2      4      2      0      0      6.89   

* [Player not currently at club]

[CFuller]

KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS

14 May 2008 - 22 November 2010 (922 days)

 

Played: 124. Won: 53. Drawn: 28. Lost: 43. Goals Scored: 184. Goals Conceded: 157. Goal Difference: +27.

 

MOST APPEARANCES                               Apps
---------------------------------------------------
Heikkinen, Markus              2008-2010       110
Collins, David                 2008-2010       95
Simpson, Terry                 2008-2010       84
Simpson, Scott                 2008-2010       80
Forde, John                    2008-2010       74

MOST GOALS                                     Gls
---------------------------------------------------
Collins, David                 2008-2010       47
Berry, Jamie                   2008-2010       16
Garside, Robert                2008-2010       16
Simpson, Scott                 2008-2010       16
Samba, Cherno                  2010            10
Scott, Alan                    2008-2010       10

MOST ASSISTS                                   Asts
---------------------------------------------------
Garside, Robert                2008-2010       13
Simpson, Scott                 2008-2010       12
Derry, Shaun                   2009-2010       11
Collins, David                 2008-2010       10
Gallego, César                 2008-2010       10

MOST MAN OF THE MATCH AWARDS                   MoM
---------------------------------------------------
Collins, David                 2008-2010       12
Bell, Simon                    2008-2010       6
Heikkinen, Markus              2008-2010       6
Forde, John                    2008-2010       5
Garside, Robert                2008-2010       5

[CFuller]

Fulham squad - As of 22 November 2010

 

GOALKEEPERS

1. Jimmy Wilkinson - GK, age 22, English

Wilkinson is a brave and consistent keeper, born and raised in Fulham. Though officially our number 1, he has been restricted to bench-warming duties this season.

 

14. Wayne Hudson - GK, age 26, English

Hudson is a mentally strong custodian who has been in excellent form this season. He also has plenty of top-flight experience with Southampton, Wolves and Tottenham.

 

DEFENDERS

2. Graham Bowater - D R, age 27, English

Bowater moved to Craven Cottage this summer after nine years at Peterborough. He is a reliable right-back with a firm tackle, though his attacking play is not great.

 

3. Nicky Watts - D/DM L, age 22, English

Watts came through Chelsea's academy before moving across west London in 2009. Unfortunately, he lacks the defensive awareness that I want in a left-back.

 

4. Walter Piccolo - SW/D C, age 23, Italian

Piccolo isn't particularly strong in the air - but despite the name, he's hardly a small centre-back either. He is very much a sweeper with great ball-playing abilities.

 

5. Henri Myntti - D/DM C, age 27, Finnish

Myntti is Fulham's answer to Markus Heikkinen - a strong Finn who can play as a centre-back or a midfield anchor. He's mentally strong but lacks technical skill.

 

15. George McCartney - D L, age 29, Northern Irish [37 caps]

Captain McCartney is a fast and accomplished left-back enjoying the form of his life. He is a firm favourite at the Cottage, having made over 371 appearances since 2002.

 

18. Curtis Davies - D C, age 25, English

A determined and intelligent centre-back, Davies was underappreciated by the last manager. He's played just four games since arriving from Luton in the summer.

 

21. Bo Svensson - D C, age 31, Danish

Svensson is a useful stopper, renowned for his consistency and physical strength. Despite struggling in his first season at Fulham, his second is going rather better.

 

31. Nigel Proffitt - D LC, age 18, English

Proffitt is profiting from Fulham's commitment to youth development. This athletic and hard-working left-back (and occasional centre-half) has already played 20 senior games.

 

MIDFIELDERS

6. Mark Smith - AM/F RC, age 20, Welsh

Despite breaking into the first-team at just 18, Smith's progress has recently stalled. This quick and energetic forward may need a loan spell to kick-start his career.

 

7. Dane Richards - AM R, age 26, Jamaican [48 caps, 4 goals]

Richards' dynamism and pace on the right wing can easily rip defences apart. The long-time Jamaica international moved here from South Korea in July.

 

8. Neil Danns - AM RC, age 27, Guyanese [18 caps, 2 goals]

Danns joined Fulham on loan from West Brom last season before deciding to stay for good. Though a competent box-to-box midfielder, I'm not sure he's a game-changer.

 

13. Michael Gibson - M RC, age 17, English

A prodigy at set-pieces, Gibson is a very exciting presence either on the wing or in midfield. This is his breakthrough season, having played six games and scored one goal.

 

20. Elbekay Bouchiba - M L, age 32, Dutch

Left-wing maestro Bouchiba was one of Dagenham & Redbridge's first signings made after my departure. He has 7 goal contributions in 20 games since moving across London this summer.

 

22. Robert Wolleaston - AM L, age 30, English

Pacey and selfless winger Wolleaston has been a Fulham regular for three years. But after a recent dip in form, and with stiff competition, his days might be numbered.

 

24. Scott Brough - AM RLC, age 27, English

Brough's dribbling skills and flair make him such an exciting player to watch. He signed for the Cottagers in 2009 after five incredibly productive seasons at Bristol City.

 

26. Gary McDonald - M C, age 28, Scottish

McDonald is an intelligent backup midfielder who had a brief loan spell at Wycombe in the summer. He's in the final season of a four-year contract.

 

29. Idan Tal - AM LC, age 35, Israeli [75 caps, 4 goals]

Tal is a flamboyant attacking midfielder with vast experience to his name. He recently celebrated a decade in English football and previously played for Everton, Wolves and Stoke.

 

35. Kevin Christie - SW/D/DM RC, age 34, Scottish [1 cap]

A versatile defensive player, Christie has not impressed since arriving from Dagenham & Redbridge in March. I'm afraid he's just not good enough for this level.

 

FORWARDS

9. Paul McVeigh - S C, age 32, Northern Irish [9 caps, 1 goal]

One half of a long-standing strike partnership, McVeigh has netted 90 Fulham goals - including 12 this season. Even in his advancing years, his pace and power is still devastating.

 

10. Anestis Agritis - S C, age 29, Greek [1 cap]

Former NAC striker Agritis is fast, clinical, and knows how to make an impact. His first half-season at the Cottage has seen a promising return of 7 goals in 18 games.

 

11. Brett Ormerod - F RC, age 34, English

Ormerod has been a top finisher for Fulham since 2002, netting 98 goals. But having found the net just once so far this season, are the veteran's best years behind him?

 

17. Michael Butler - S C, age 17, English

With his agility and ball-playing skills, Butler has the potential to be an excellent support striker. He's already played in 17 league matches for Fulham but is yet to score.

 

RESERVES

GOALKEEPERS: Mike Edwards (27, on loan at Hartlepool), Joe Mason (21), Craig Price (16)

DEFENDERS: Graham Edwards (18), Stephen Richardson (19), Dan Rownham (24), Dave Taylor (21)

MIDFIELDERS: Karl Brookes (24), Wayne Cable (16), Michael Christie (24), Kenny Hay (19), James Hughes (22), Tom Mølby (18)

FORWARD: Jamie Davey (19), Diego Guerra (18)

[CFuller]

NOVEMBER 2010 (continued)

After honing my craft at Dagenham & Redbridge and Kidderminster Harriers, I knew that Fulham would be my first big managerial job.

 

Fulham was a club with a rich history, despite having never won a major trophy; their biggest achievement was reaching the 1975 FA Cup Final. This was the club of Johnny Haynes, of Alan Mullery, of Gordon Davies - and of George Cohen, who helped to bring football home in 1966.

 

Fulham is a Premiership team in all but name - its Craven Cottage stadium boasting a capacity of 52,000 seats after a major expansion in 2004. However, they have not graced the top level since 2005, when they scored just 29 goals and were relegated in 18th place under Maurice Malpas - now the manager of Scotland.

 

Captain George McCartney - along with strikers Brett Ormerod and Paul McVeigh - were the last survivors of that relegation team. All three would be instrumental to the club's push back towards promotion.

 

I realised that taking Fulham back to the promised land would not be a simple one-season job. It would take time to rebuild this team into a major force. I'd signed a two-and-a-half-year deal at Craven Cottage, and I was determined that we would be celebrating promotion by the end of my contract in May 2013.

 

My first half-season at Fulham, though, would be all about stabilising this team in the top half after three years of relegation struggles. This was how the Cottagers' 2010/2011 season had panned out so far:

 

Date       Opposition           Competition            Result
--------------------------------------------------------------
14/08/10   West Ham         A   Division 1             0-1 L
21/08/10   Torquay          H   Division 1             1-0 W
24/08/10   Bury             H   League Cup R1          3-0 W
28/08/10   Norwich          A   Division 1             2-1 W
30/08/10   Sheff Utd        H   Division 1             4-0 W
10/09/10   Charlton         H   Division 1             1-2 L
15/09/10   Notts County     A   Division 1             1-1 D
18/09/10   Kidderminster    H   Division 1             1-0 W
22/09/10   Luton            H   League Cup R2          2-0 W
25/09/10   Aston Villa      A   Division 1             3-0 W
29/09/10   West Brom        A   Division 1             3-3 D
02/10/10   Chesterfield     H   Division 1             1-2 L
16/10/10   Dag & Red        H   Division 1             3-0 W
19/10/10   Crewe            A   Division 1             0-1 L
23/10/10   Huddersfield     A   Division 1             1-0 W
27/10/10   Nottm Forest     A   League Cup R3          0-2 L
30/10/10   Tottenham        H   Division 1             2-3 L
03/11/10   Sunderland       A   Division 1             0-1 L
06/11/10   Carlisle         H   Division 1             2-1 W
13/11/10   Millwall         A   Division 1             2-2 D

 

Having lost four of their last seven games, this was clearly not a Fulham team in hot form. However, their excellent results and heavy scoring earlier in the season suggested that the Cottagers could take on anyone. And with just four points separating this team from the top six, a play-off place was a realistic (if unlikely) target.

 

I was simply looking to finish in the top half. To achieve that goal, I would need a strong coaching team by my side. Sadly, none of my Kidderminster coaches - not even my assistant Neil Kennedy or my former captain Lee Matthews - were willing to follow me to west London.

 

Luckily, I could still call upon a wealth of experience. Former Celtic and Scotland midfielder Peter Grant had served as assistant to the previous four Fulham managers, and he was one of the hardest-working coaches in the game. He was accompanied by Dave Bentley, Jon Goodman (no, not Fred Flintstone), Colin Greenall, Simeon Hodson... and ex-Chelsea striker/born-again Christian Gavin Peacock.

 

I would look to bring in some of my own staff when the time was right - but for the short-term, I decided to keep things as they were. The only additions I made to the backroom were a couple of new scouts, who would assist with the recruitment drive I had in mind.

 

I didn't have to wait long for my first serious test as Fulham manager. Just two days into my reign, I made my Craven Cottage home debut against one of our big play-off rivals. Preston were just a couple of points ahead of us in 8th and had one of the division's most stable teams - David Moyes had been at the helm since 1998, while David Healy's strike partnership with Richard Cresswell had also endured for over a decade.

 

Through most of my Kidderminster reign, I had used a 3-5-2 tactic, or occasionally a narrow diamond. Wingers were not really a thing as far as I was concerned, but I noted that some of Fulham's best assets were... indeed, wingers. Also, my predecessor Garry Hill predominantly fielded a flat 4-4-2, so I saw no reason to shake things up just yet.

 

24 NOVEMBER 2010: Fulham vs Preston North End

Our wingers took just 19 minutes to show what they were capable of. Flying Dutchman Elbekay Bouchiba moved up the left wing and then put a low cross to the far post for his right-sided colleague Scott Brough. The 27-year-old had thumped that post just seven minutes prior, but he made no mistake here - and got my Craven Cottage reign off to the best possible start!

 

Ten minutes later, however, Preston fought back. A rushed clearance from Fulham defender Walter Piccolo was met by a strong counter-attack, and when the Lilywhites' attacking midfielder Ilias Androutsos headed home from Dean Stevens' left-wing cross, the scores were back level.

 

Both sides had chances to take the lead before half-time. Paul McVeigh headed another promising Bouchiba delivery over the crossbar in the 31st minute, while Stevens' free-kick seven minutes later hit our woodwork. The first half ended with a couple of saves from Fulham keeper Wayne Hudson, who would play an even more prominent role after the break.

 

Bouchiba might have been named 'man of the match' at full-time, but Hudson's performance was arguably even better. The journeyman goalie - who arrived from Tottenham in June - produced three vital saves in the final eight minutes to keep Preston substitute Gareth Evans off the scoresheet. While his backline had been shaky at times, Wayne had almost single-handedly saved me from losing my first match as Fulham manager.

 

Fulham - 1 (Brough 19)

Preston North End - 1 (Androutsos 29)

Division 1, Attendance 12,164 - POSITIONS: Fulham 11th, Preston 8th

FULHAM LINE-UP (4-4-2): Hudson; Bowater, Svensson (Davies), Piccolo, McCartney; Brough, Tal (Danns), McDonald, Bouchiba; McVeigh (Butler), Ormerod. BOOKED: Svensson.

 

Not a terrible start - we played some good stuff at times, and Elbekay Bouchiba in particular showed just how effective our wing play can be. More alarming was the number of chances we had given to Preston. If it hadn't been for Wayne Hudson's goalkeeping heroics, we could easily have lost.

 

Another player who was crucial to this team was our left-back and captain McCartney. Big-spending Manchester City were certainly fans of the Northern Irishman, as they offered us £5million to sign him. The club's financial situation was pretty healthy, so I saw no reason to cash in.

 

A few days later came my first away match as Fulham manager, as we headed west to fellow mid-tablers Swindon. Striker Paul McVeigh and goalscoring winger Scott Brough were both tired after their midweek exploits, so I decided to bench them and start a couple of the club's most exciting youth prospects - 17-year-olds Michael Butler and Michael Gibson.

 

27 NOVEMBER 2010: Swindon Town vs Fulham

Long-time Swindon manager Roy Evans liked to play attacking football, and that was very much evident at the County Ground. After just four minutes, Robins captain James Hogg found the run of midfielder Craig Pead, who netted his first goal of the season. He wouldn't have to wait too long for his second.

 

Though Wayne Hudson tried his best to stop the floodgates from bursting open, he was undermined by our centre-backs' inability to keep up with the pacey Swindon attackers. Bo Svensson looked particularly fragile in the 19th minute, when he was beaten to a header by Spanish speedster Carlos Ballestas. Hudson kept that out, but not Marco Scholz' follow-up, which made it 2-0.

 

We hit our nadir in the 35th minute, when Pead ran through unmarked before scoring his second goal of the afternoon. I had now run out of patience with Svensson, whom I replaced with Curtis Davies at half-time. I also subbed off Michael Butler, who looked overawed up front and barely threatened Swindon's goal at all. At least Michael Gibson was having a decent game at right-wing...

 

Though Davies stopped us leaking any more goals in the second half, we couldn't get any counter-attacks going at any point. By full-time, we had mustered just one shot on target - a 71st-minute drive from Paul McVeigh that was turned behind by Nicky Weaver. Otherwise, it was a comfortable clean sheet for the veteran shotstopper, suggesting we still had lots of work to do.

 

Swindon Town - 3 (Pead 4,35, Scholz 19)

Fulham - 0

Division 1, Attendance 11,328 - POSITIONS: Swindon 11th, Fulham 13th

FULHAM LINE-UP (4-4-2): Hudson; Bowater, Svensson (Davies), Piccolo, McCartney (Proffitt); Gibson, Tal, McDonald, Bouchiba; Butler (McVeigh), Ormerod.

 

It wasn't even close. We were far too sloppy in possession, didn't create enough chances, and never at any point did we look like serious play-off contenders. Despite all that, our right-back Graham Bowater was named 'man of the match', so at least we weren't totally useless.

 

Meanwhile, Kidderminster played their first match without me. They also lost, 2-1 at Norwich.

 

And who's the new manager at Kidderminster, I hear you ask? It's Tony Adams. You couldn't make it up.

[CFuller]

DIVISION 1 TABLE (End of November 2010)

Pos     Team                            Pld  Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Pts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st     Crewe                           20   9    1    0    23   7    5    2    3    15   15   45   
2nd     Grimsby                         19   7    3    0    19   6    4    4    1    8    5    40   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd     Sheff Utd                       20   8    1    1    29   10   3    3    4    12   14   37   
4th     Torquay                         20   8    1    1    26   10   3    3    4    13   15   37   
5th     Chesterfield                    19   6    1    2    15   7    5    3    2    16   15   37   
6th     Charlton                        19   5    2    2    14   7    3    7    0    10   7    33   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7th     West Ham                        20   5    4    1    13   7    4    2    4    13   11   33   
8th     Birmingham                      19   5    1    4    21   18   5    1    3    24   23   32   
9th     Tottenham                       20   8    1    1    21   7    1    3    6    12   20   31   
10th    Preston                         20   6    3    1    19   11   3    1    6    7    17   31   
11th    Nottm Forest                    20   8    0    2    23   10   1    3    6    6    18   30   
12th    Swindon                         20   5    3    2    16   7    3    2    5    18   17   29   
13th    Fulham                          20   5    2    3    17   10   3    3    4    12   13   29   
14th    Huddersfield                    20   3    2    5    10   10   5    3    2    13   9    29   
15th    Kidderminster                   19   5    3    1    21   8    3    0    7    9    16   27   
16th    W.B.A.                          20   5    2    3    17   11   2    2    6    10   19   25   
17th    Aston Villa                     20   4    3    3    14   13   2    2    6    12   17   23   
18th    Notts Co                        20   4    3    3    15   11   1    2    7    12   25   20   
19th    Carlisle                        19   5    2    3    17   12   0    2    7    5    23   19   
20th    Dag & Red                       20   2    5    3    5    7    1    2    7    2    10   16   
21st    Sunderland                      20   3    5    2    11   9    0    2    8    2    15   16   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22nd    Norwich                         20   3    3    4    19   19   0    2    8    12   34   14   
23rd    Millwall                        20   1    4    5    10   17   0    3    7    4    18   10   
24th    Bristol City                    20   1    3    6    4    17   1    1    8    4    23   10   

 

ELSEWHERE IN FOOTBALL...

• A 3-1 home defeat to Valencia proves fateful for Liverpool, who exit the Champions League early once again. Nigel Winterburn's Reds drop into the UEFA Cup, and go 2-0 down to Dutch side Sparta at half-time in the first leg at Anfield. They eventually pull off a 3-2 comeback victory, thanks to two goals from Xabi Alonso and a 78th-minute winner from Fowler... that's midfielder Lee Fowler, who played in the 2010 World Cup Final for Wales. (Robbie Fowler is now at Mansfield.)
• Bayern München's fall from grace continues, as they crash out of the UEFA Cup at Round 2 after losing to Spartak Moscow in extra-time. Having already splurged £22million on new talent this season, general manager Uli Hoeneß considers a new strategy for raising transfer funds.
• David O'Leary barely survives a year as Celta manager before he is finally sacked by the La Liga strugglers, following a 2-1 home defeat to Sevilla. The Irishman doesn't take long to find a new job - as manager of Primeira Liga champions Sporting. Go figure.
• Despite winning the last four Ligue 1 titles, Marseille move onto their SIXTH manager in less than five years, as Ho-Kon Kim is poached by HSV. In response, Les Phocéens poach Terry Yorath from Celtic, which prompts the Scottish Premier League champions to bring club legend John Collins back to the club as their new manager.
• Having picked up just SIX points in the 2008/2009 Bundesliga season, Mainz now face the prospect of relegation to Germany's third division. After falling to 15th place in the 2. Bundesliga, 'Die Nullfünfer' become so desperate that they kidnap Alan Shearer from the BBC studio and give him his third managerial job in nine months!

 

IN OTHER NEWS...

• Myanmar holds its first general election in 20 years. The military-backed USDP wins by a landslide, but agrees to release pro-democracy opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has spent the majority of the past two decades under house arrest.
• Red Bull gives you wings! 23-year-old German driver Sebastian Vettel becomes the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history, winning the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to prevail in a four-way title battle.
• Rap superstar Kanye West releases his fifth album "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy", featuring hit singles "Power" and "All of the Lights". It receives almost universal critical acclaim, though one unimpressed reviewer says he's "feeling a light to decent 6".
• Wait… Leslie Nielsen has died?! The Canadian actor who became a 1980s comedy icon with films such as “Airplane!” and “The Naked Gun”? Surely you can’t be serious? [I am serious, and don’t call me Shirley.]

[CFuller]

DECEMBER 2010

After taking just one point from my first two matches as Fulham manager, I decided to start rebuilding the team in my own image. I began by selling off a couple of reserve left-backs, with Dan Rownham joining Shrewsbury for £150,000, and Nicky Watts heading to West Brom for £100,000.

 

Meanwhile, I promoted three young prospects to the first-team, having been impressed by their performances in the reserves. Tom Mølby was an 18-year-old Danish attacking midfielder who would add some flair to the team. Welsh left-winger Wayne Cable had been dubbed 'the next Ryan Giggs' and was just 16 years old. Jamie Davey - the oldest of the trio at 19 - was an energetic striker who made one league appearance last season.

 

When we kicked off December with a home game against 8th-placed Birmingham, all three newcomers were on the bench, along with Nigel Proffitt - an 18-year-old defender who had already featured in 21 senior games. Scott Brough and Paul McVeigh both returned to the starting XI, while Curtis Davies replaced the injured Bo Svensson in central defence.

 

4 DECEMBER 2010: Fulham vs Birmingham City

Holding midfielder Gary McDonald had not enjoyed the best of seasons - even starting the campaign on loan at Division 3 Wycombe before returning to Craven Cottage. However, the Scotsman emphatically silenced his critics after just four minutes, when a magnificent solo run ended with him driving in just his second ever goal for Fulham!

 

Birmingham twice threatened to equalise over the next 10 minutes. Unsurprisingly, former England Under-21s left-back Danny Bruce was at the heart of their attacks. After seeing captain Clint Hill flick his free-kick inches wide, Bruce himself aimed a header at goal, only to be thwarted by the brilliant Wayne Hudson.

 

The Blues' attacks then fizzled out as we grew stronger towards the end of the first period. 34-year-old star striker Brett Ormerod had scored just once this season - but in the final six minutes before half-time, he tripled his tally. A 39th-minute header from Scott Brough's cross doubled our advantage, and then Ormerod nodded in an injury-time delivery from captain George McCartney to bring up his 100th Fulham goal!

 

Everybody congratulated Brett on reaching his century in the dressing room at half-time - and with a 3-0 lead in tow, it was perhaps not a surprise that we lost a little focus. Moroccan midfielder Nabil Abidallah pulled one goal back for Birmingham after 53 minutes, though that was as far as their comeback got. The final half-hour was pretty comfortable, and I was able to give youngsters Wayne Cable and Tom Mølby their senior debuts without risking too much.

 

Fulham - 3 (McDonald 4, Ormerod 39,45)

Birmingham City - 1 (Abidallah 55)

Division 1, Attendance 11,630 - POSITIONS: Fulham 10th, Birmingham 11th

FULHAM LINE-UP (4-4-2): Hudson; Bowater, Davies, Piccolo, McCartney; Brough, Tal (Mølby), McDonald, Bouchiba (Cable); McVeigh (Proffitt), Ormerod.

 

After his two assists, it was hard to believe Brough wasn't the best right-winger in our team. That man was Dane Richards - the explosive Jamaican who had become a Cottage favourite since arriving from the South Korean club Ulsan in July.

 

Richards had missed the first few weeks of my tenure with a hamstring injury. He resumed full training on the Monday before our next match... but on Wednesday, he was on his way back to Jamaica, having been called up for an international friendly against the mighty Botswana. I love FIFA's international calendar, don't you?

 

While my wait to see Richards in action would have to continue for a little longer, our focus now turned towards an away match against rock-bottom Bristol City, who had won two matches all season.

 

11 DECEMBER 2010: Bristol City vs Fulham

Bristol City had conceded 44 goals in 21 league games prior to this - but judging by Geoffery Nijs' performance, you wouldn't know it. The Robins' Belgian goalkeeper twice thwarted our goalscoring centurion Brett Ormerod with unbelievable saves, leaving him somewhat bewildered. Wayne Hudson had not exactly had a quiet first half in our goal either, so when we went into half-time with the scores still 0-0, it was anyone's guess where this match would go.

 

At half-time, I decided to switch tactics, from a 4-4-2 to a... 4-4-2. Yes, I sacrificed our wingers to build a narrow midfield diamond. Danish starlet Tom Mølby came on for the surprisingly ineffective Elbekay Bouchiba, while Ormerod was replaced up front with Greek international Anestis Agritis, who had just recovered from a shoulder injury.

 

Nijs continued to defy our attackers early in the second half - but after 67 minutes, we finally made the breakthrough. It was a big moment for Mølby, who delivered his first senior assist by delicately flicking George McCartney's cross on for Agritis to escape his marker and score!

 

Seven minutes later, it was clear that a new star had been born. On the day after his 19th birthday, Mølby outsmarted more experienced defenders with a stunning through-ball to McCartney, who was initially denied by Nijs but managed to convert the rebound! It was only George's fourth goal in nine seasons at Fulham, but it had secured us three precious points against a brave Bristol City team.

 

Bristol City - 0

Fulham - 2 (Agritis 67, McCartney 74)

Division 1, Attendance 13,940 - POSITIONS: Bristol City 24th, Fulham 8th

FULHAM LINE-UP (4-4-2): Hudson; Bowater, Myntti, Piccolo (Proffitt), McCartney; Brough, Danns, McDonald, Bouchiba (Mølby); McVeigh, Ormerod (Agritis). BOOKED: Piccolo, Myntti.

 

While this win moved us to within three points of the play-offs, I was still annoyed that we hadn't won by more goals. It seems that wherever I go, the worst goalkeepers in the league always seem to reserve their best performances for my teams. I dunno, maybe I'm just paranoid...

 

The following afternoon, the draw took place for Round 3 of the FA Cup. It seemed inevitable that I would be drawn against my old club Kidderminster... but they were sent to Coventry. Instead, we would have the honour of hosting Division 2 high-flyers Macclesfield, in a tie that had 'giant-killer potential' written all over it. [Gulp]

 

I then made my first Fulham signing - and this was very much one for the future. Spaniard Vicente Núñez was a strong and brave defensive midfielder with a bright future, arriving on a free transfer just over a week before his 20th birthday. Vicente would start his Cottagers career in the reserves, with the plan being to slowly integrate him into the first-team.

 

Meanwhile, Conference side Farnborough loaned in our teenage winger Kenny Hay until the end of the season. He was actually the second Fulham youngster to move to the Aimita Stadium on loan, as Wales Under-21s forward Mark Smith had already been sent there at the start of this month.

 

I also freed up some more spare wages by selling winger Robert Wolleaston to Division 2 Huddersfield for £250,000. With the enigmatic Elbekay Bouchiba and the prodigious Cable both ahead of him in the left-wing pecking order, Wolleaston's first-team opportunities were likely to be very limited, so it made sense to move him on.

 

Next up was a home game against 2nd-placed Grimsby, whose watertight defence had lost just one league match all season long. Richards was back from his national service and ready to play under my management for the first time, but a knee injury to Gary McDonald meant that defender Henri Myntti had to move into midfield.

 

18 DECEMBER 2010: Fulham vs Grimsby Town

Grimsby had the first pop at goal after just two minutes, when Jonathan Rowan's free-kick was pushed away by Fulham keeper Wayne Hudson. We then launched a rapid counter-attack, as Henri Myntti hoofed the ball upfield for Paul McVeigh to take all the way into the Mariners' penalty area. Once his strike partner had arrived, McVeigh curled the ball to the far post, where Brett Ormerod's point-blank header gave us the lead!

 

Grimsby hit back almost immediately, as Rowan equalised with a 5th-minute rebound after Hudson had denied Davy Byrne. Just five minutes later, however, we found ourselves back in front, as McVeigh converted a left-wing Elbekay Bouchiba cross to make it 2-1 Cottagers!

 

After the visitors' attacking threat was weakened by an injury to midfielder Dominique van Dijk, we had several chances to double our advantage. But despite making a poor start to the match, Grimsby's goalie Andy Paxton was almost unstoppable thereafter, making three impressive saves in the 15 minutes leading up to half-time - and another three in the 15 minutes after the restart.

 

Our best chance to go 3-1 up early in the second half had come after 53 minutes, when Dane Richards' volley clipped the bar and went behind. Then, after we had created countless chances, the Mariners dealt a huge counterpunch on 69 minutes. Rowan's flick-on was volleyed home by his strike partner Jason Jenkins, and at 2-2, it really was anybody's match.

 

Five minutes after Jenkins' leveller, Grimsby sensed a great chance to pull in front. Jenkins played the ball into the penalty area for the young Irish substitute David Ryan, who delivered a brilliant cross for his captain Rowan to head home. The visitors went wild, and it seemed like the match had slipped away from us... until the referee's assistant raised his flag.

 

Prior to that scare, I had brought on winger Scott Brough and striker Anestis Agritis as substitutes. They would swing the match back in our favour, as with seven minutes to go, Agritis nodded in Brough's cross to retake the lead once and for all!

 

Fulham - 3 (Ormerod 3, McVeigh 10, Agritis 83)

Grimsby Town - 2 (Rowan 5, Jenkins 69)

Division 1, Attendance 17,035 - POSITIONS: Fulham 8th, Grimsby 2nd

FULHAM LINE-UP (4-4-2): Hudson; Bowater, Davies, Piccolo, McCartney; Richards (Brough), Danns, Myntti, Bouchiba; McVeigh (Agritis), Ormerod (Mølby). BOOKED: Piccolo.

 

Fulham had 20 shots, 13 on target, and only barely won the game. There is enormous attacking potential in this team, but we need to be more ruthless - and we must not neglect our defensive responsibilities either.

 

Over the next few days, several of our best youth prospects - including Cable and Gibson - signed new long-term contracts with the club. We also signed a 17-year-old left-back from Scotland called Gary Hogg, who had plenty of pace and stamina and was highly rated by our youth scouts.

 

Mind you, I didn't see much of a future in 21-year-old goalkeeper Joe Mason. With his contract six months from expiry, I decided to sell him for £50,000 to Dunfermline - the Scottish Premier League side now managed by Lawrie Sanchez.

 

Our next match was also at home - against a Norwich side who had scored 34 goals and conceded 54 in the first half of the campaign. The Canaries liked to dominate the midfield, so I decided to switch up the 4-4-2 for a slightly more conservative 4-4-1-1 - with Mølby in the attacking midfield hole just behind lone striker McVeigh.

 

22 DECEMBER 2010: Fulham vs Norwich City

We had Norwich on the ropes throughout the first half, with right-back Graham Bowater and striker Paul McVeigh each coming very close to breaking the deadlock inside the first 20 minutes. It would take us another seven to break through, thanks to another assist from our rookie attacking midfielder Tom Mølby. This potentially great Dane flicked Scott Brough's free-kick out wide to his compatriot Bo Svensson, who blasted it home!

 

By the 38th minute, though, Norwich had delivered the perfect riposte. Canaries striker Isaiah Rankin exchanged passes with right-back Tim Cornelisse and then played the perfect through-ball to veteran midfielder Stephen Clemence. After getting past his marker, Clemence powered in his first goal of the season to spark a huge momentum shift.

 

Barely a minute later, Rankin caused us even more problems, winning a penalty after drawing a clumsy challenge from our captain George McCartney. Norwich's captain Darren Kelly stepped up to try and fire his team into the lead... but Wayne Hudson was having none of it, and a magnificent save by our goalkeeper kept the scores level!

 

For two minutes. Then the pendulum swung in our direction, as Elbekay Bouchiba's cross was expertly finished by midfielder Neil Danns! We therefore led 2-1 as we went into the dressing room for a breather - and boy did we need one!

 

The action continued into the second half, as our two Nordic midfielders gave out a couple of batterings. Firstly, Mølby was denied his first senior goal when he hit the post on 59 minutes. Five minutes later, Finnish anchor man Henri Myntti swung an elbow into Clemence's face, copping a straight red card - and leaving us having to defend a slender lead with 10 men!

 

Despite their man advantage, Norwich were not ruthless enough to make it count, and a wayward header from Kelly in the 69th minute proved to be their last chance to draw back level. While looking to see the match out for the closing stages, I brought 18-year-old Nigel Proffitt into our defence... just as Brough went down with a knee injury. That meant we actually finished the game with only NINE players on the pitch, yet still we held on!

 

Fulham - 2 (Svensson 27, Danns 41)

Norwich City - 1 (Clemence 38)

Division 1, Attendance 12,561 - POSITIONS: Fulham 6th, Norwich 20th

FULHAM LINE-UP (4-4-1-1): Hudson; Bowater, Svensson, Piccolo, McCartney (Proffitt); Brough, Danns, Myntti, Bouchiba (Cable); Mølby (Tal); McVeigh. SENT OFF: Myntti.

 

A truly epic match had ended with Fulham back in the play-off places, but it wasn't all great news. Scott Brough had twisted his knee, ruling the in-form right-winger out of our final two matches of the year.

 

In addition, Myntti was handed a one-match ban for violent conduct, which meant he would sit out our FA Cup Round 3 tie. I also decided to leave him out of the squad for our Boxing Day trip to Sheffield United - with debutant Núñez taking his place in midfield.

 

26 DECEMBER 2010: Sheffield United vs Fulham

After just 10 minutes, Vicente Mølby emphatically answered any doubts over whether he was ready for first-team football. A handball from Sheffield United's young Spanish midfielder Joaquín Riesgo gave our Basque starlet the chance to shine - and when Núñez's free-kick was headed home by Brett Ormerod, it was clear that we had a new star on our hands!

 

Another midfield wonderkid caught the eye seven minutes later, as Tom Mølby produced his fourth assist in just five games! Another pinpoint pass from the Danish sensation played through Ormerod, who brushed aside United's right-back Danny Butterfield before firing home. Brett then rounded off his hat-trick in the 32nd minute, courtesy of a stunning right-wing cross from Dane Richards.

 

Sheffield United pulled a goal back in the 39th minute. Midfielder Scott Hughes drove in a fantastic effort after Hamed Kavianpour's free-kick rebounded off the Cottagers wall.

 

That could have completely turned the tide, but we responded positively and got our three-goal cushion back in stoppage time. Richards delivered his second assist of the afternoon, this time setting up Elbekay Bouchiba. Both wingers were rested for the second half, with teenagers Wayne Cable and Michael Gibson taking their places.

 

Unsurprisingly, Sheffield United showed more attacking intent in the second half, which brought out the best and the worst in our goalkeeper Wayne Hudson. He excelled in the 52nd minute by pushing away a point-blank header from Hughes... but then undid his good work three minutes later by upending striker Billy Paynter in the penalty area and getting himself sent off. Replacement goalkeeper Jimmy Wilkinson's first act after coming on was to retrieve Paynter's spot-kick from his net.

 

Despite failing to save that penalty, Wilkinson showed great courage to stop us losing any more of our lead. Meanwhile, Ormerod made a late push to give himself a FOURTH goal, only to be thwarted by Blades keeper Derek Bruce. That was one of the last meaningful acts of another thrilling contest - and one that was much closer than the 4-2 scoreline suggested.

 

Sheffield United - 2 (Hughes 39, Paynter pen56)

Fulham - 4 (Ormerod 10,17,32, Bouchiba 45)

Division 1, Attendance 20,485 - POSITIONS: Sheff Utd 3rd, Fulham 5th

FULHAM LINE-UP (4-4-1-1): Hudson; Bowater, Svensson, Piccolo, McCartney; Richards (Gibson), Danns, Núñez, Bouchiba (Cable); Mølby (Wilkinson); Ormerod. SENT OFF: Hudson.

 

Our brilliant young midfielders and the late-career renaissance of Brett Ormerod had given me plenty of reason for excitement. However, Wayne Hudson's sending-off meant he would soon have to serve a three-match ban, starting on 9 January.

 

As tempted as I was to drop Hudson immediately and put 22-year-old Jimmy Wilkinson in goal, I also recognised that Wayne was integral to this team. Hudson therefore got a chance to make amends just 48 hours later, when we made the short trip to Upton Park - and faced a hungry West Ham side who had recently slipped out of the top six.

 

28 DECEMBER 2010: Fulham vs West Ham United

When you had two goalkeepers with as much quality as Fulham's Wayne Hudson and West Ham's Shay Given, it really wasn't surprising that this match was scoreless at half-time. Given was called into action first, tipping away a fierce strike from Cottagers defender Walter Piccolo in the 7th minute. Another big save from the Irishman came just before half-time, when he clawed a Brett Ormerod header off his line.

 

Given actually had a much busier day than Hudson, who turned behind Pablo Niño's 11th-minute volley but was otherwise untroubled by a blunt Hammers attack. In fairness to Wayne, he was helped massively by a rock-solid back four - spearheaded by our indispensable captain George McCartney, who was voted 'man of the match' after a string of vital saving tackles.

 

Despite that, it seemed our run of five successive wins was about to end in a 0-0 draw. As a last throw of the dice, I brought on assist machine Tom Mølby, hoping he could produce something special late on…

 

…and Tom did exactly that in the 88th minute - arrowing a 30-yarder beyond Given's reach to settle the game in our favour. He really couldn't have scored a better first goal in senior football!

 

Fulham - 1 (Mølby 88)

West Ham United - 0

Division 1, Attendance 23,750 - POSITIONS: Fulham 5th, West Ham 12th

FULHAM LINE-UP (4-4-2): Hudson; Bowater, Davies, Piccolo, McCartney; Richards, Danns (Mølby), Núñez, Bouchiba (Tal); McVeigh (Agritis), Ormerod. BOOKED: Piccolo.

 

My first full month as Fulham manager really could not have gone any better! Six straight victories had propelled the underachieving Cottagers from 13th to 5th - and put us within touching distance of the automatic promotion places!

 

Meanwhile, Kidderminster have won just one of their last six matches and fallen to 16th since Tony Adams replaced me as manager. Considering that Tony has decided to bring Kent Ivarsson up from the reserves and play him in goal, I can't say I'm very surprised at their decline...

Edited March 28 by CFuller

[CFuller]

DIVISION 1 TABLE (End of December 2010)

Pos     Team                            Pld  Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Pts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st     Crewe                           26   12   1    1    29   10   6    2    4    17   18   57   
2nd     Grimsby                         25   8    4    0    22   7    5    5    3    15   12   48   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd     Sheff Utd                       26   9    1    2    33   15   5    4    5    19   17   47   
4th     Torquay                         25   9    1    1    30   12   5    4    5    17   18   47   
5th     Fulham                          26   9    2    3    26   14   5    3    4    18   15   47   
6th     Charlton                        25   6    4    2    18   10   5    7    1    14   9    44   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7th     Preston                         26   9    3    2    26   16   4    1    7    9    19   43   
8th     Chesterfield                    25   7    3    3    20   13   5    3    4    19   21   42   
9th     Nottm Forest                    26   10   0    3    29   16   3    3    7    11   23   42   
10th    Birmingham                      25   7    1    4    24   19   6    1    6    30   33   41   
11th    Swindon                         26   8    4    2    23   10   3    3    6    21   21   40   
12th    West Ham                        26   6    4    2    15   9    5    3    6    16   15   40   
13th    Huddersfield                    25   5    3    6    16   14   5    4    2    14   10   37   
14th    Tottenham                       26   9    1    2    23   9    1    4    9    14   26   35   
15th    W.B.A.                          26   6    2    4    19   14   3    4    7    15   23   33   
16th    Kidderminster                   25   5    4    2    23   12   4    1    9    13   22   32   
17th    Notts Co                        26   6    4    3    21   13   2    3    8    17   30   31   
18th    Aston Villa                     25   6    4    4    21   18   2    2    7    12   20   30   
19th    Carlisle                        25   6    4    4    24   20   0    2    9    6    29   24   
20th    Norwich                         26   4    3    5    21   21   1    4    9    15   37   22   
21st    Dag & Red                       26   2    7    5    6    10   2    2    8    4    11   21   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22nd    Sunderland                      26   4    5    5    13   13   0    2    10   4    19   19   
23rd    Millwall                        25   2    4    6    12   18   0    4    9    5    22   14   
24th    Bristol City                    26   2    3    7    8    19   1    1    12   7    32   13   

 

ELSEWHERE IN FOOTBALL...

• Despite being knocked out of the UEFA Cup by Ajax, Leeds start dreaming of Premiership glory after an evergreen David Beckham draws the Whites level on points with leaders Chelsea. Meanwhile, 3rd-placed Manchester United decide that they can never have enough strikers in their team - and sign a 33-year-old Thierry Henry from Porto. "Va-va-voom."
• After losing 2-1 to La Liga leaders Valencia at the Mestalla, Barcelona go on a huge mid-season spending spree to try and keep hold of their crown. Juventus centre-half Gabriel Milito, Arsenal right-back Anthony Reveillère and Sporting anchor Javier Mascherano all arrive at the Nou Camp for a combined £33.75million.
• Arsenal also splash out the cash after a late collapse at Manchester City further damages their hopes of retaining the Premiership title. Rather than sign a goalkeeper who is legally old enough to drink, Arsène Wenger decides to spend £4.3million on Betis' Swedish playmaker Kim Källström. Perhaps you should look at his injury record first, Arsène...
• Dortmund go into the winter break three points clear at the top of the Bundesliga, with goalkeeper Gábor Király keeping four straight clean sheets. The sweatpants-wearing Hungarian also decides to don a ponytail in honour of David Seaman - the former England manager who has resurfaced as BVB's new goalkeeping coach.
• 37-year-old Inter legend Javier Zanetti enjoys an Indian summer in western France. The Argentine right-back stars for Nantes as they win six matches in a row and go six points clear at the top of Ligue 1. That's despite their star striker El-Hadji Diouf being banned since August for spitting at anything that moves within a 2-metre radius of him!

 

IN OTHER NEWS...

• The United States Senate votes to repeal Department of Defense Directive 1304.26 - otherwise known as "Don't ask, don't tell". Since its implementation by Bill Clinton's administration in 1993, discrimination against closeted homosexuals had been prohibited in the US military, while openly gay, lesbian and bisexual people had been banned from military service outright.
• Northern Irish jockey Tony McCoy - who won the Grand National at his 15th attempt earlier this year - is voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year. 15-time world darts champion Phil Taylor takes 2nd place, but Wales' World Cup hero Robert Earnshaw is pipped to 3rd place by Paul the Octopus.
• ITV’s long-running soap “Coronation Street” celebrates its 50th birthday with a special live episode, which follows the aftermath of a gas explosion and a tram crash in Weatherfield. So, nothing out of the ordinary, then.
• In the new horror film "Black Swan", Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis are rival ballerinas who compete for a lead role in a production of "Swan Lake". Wait... and they do what? [Rushes to cinema]

[Vossenoren]

Nice month at Fulham! 
And Thierry Henry to Man U?! Mon Dieu

[CFuller]

On 13/10/2023 at 21:42, Vossenoren said:

Nice month at Fulham! 
And Thierry Henry to Man U?! Mon Dieu

Thanks. I feel like I took Kidderminster as far as I could, so I'm enjoying this new challenge at Fulham.

As an Arsenal fan, Henry wearing a United shirt doesn't look right at all. At least I can believe us signing Källström. 

[CFuller]

JANUARY 2011

At what point do you know you have a very good team in your hands? For me, it's when the reigning Premiership champions make an offer to sign one of my players.

 

As I was collecting my Division 1 Manager of the Month award from the LMA, I received a phone call from none other than Arsène Wenger - the long-time Arsenal manager. At first, I thought Arsène was enquiring about Wayne Hudson, perhaps because his first-choice goalkeeper was busy revising for his A-levels.

 

In fact, the player he was interested in was George McCartney - the 29-year-old left-back and captain who was enjoying arguably the best season of his career. So when Arsène offered to sign him for £2.4million, I couldn't help but laugh. I had turned down a £5million bid from Manchester City last month, so I certainly wasn't going to sell him for Arsenal for less than half that, even if I'm a lifelong Gooner!

 

There was only one place McCartney was going - and that was Torquay, for our opening match of the new year. Could we continue our unbelievable six-match winning streak against Chris Kamara's Gulls, who were themselves in fine form and sitting just ahead of us in 4th place?

 

1 JANUARY 2011: Torquay United vs Fulham

Torquay quickly put us under the cosh, with Wayne Hudson having to save successive efforts from Jimmy Moran and Kevin Allan in the eighth minute. The Fulham keeper also did well to catch a deflected free-kick from the hosts' Ghanaian left-back Dan Quaye in the 21st minute, but there would be even tougher tests to come.

 

After 25 minutes, Quaye left us quaking with a mazing run up the left wing. He then delivered the perfect cross to Swedish midfielder Anders Svensson, who escaped our right-back Graham Bowater and blasted home a fantastic opening goal.

 

By the 44th minute, the Gulls were in full flight again. Quaye tormented us once more with another assist - this time playing in Moran, who ran through unmarked and doubled Torquay's lead. Though the deficit was only 2-0 at half-time, the game already felt like it was beyond our reach.

 

Our attacks had been almost non-existent in the first half, and our struggles continued after the break. Indeed, our only shot on target came in the 62nd minute, when Brett Ormerod drew a tricky fingertip save out of Torquay keeper Brad Jones. We were eventually put out of our misery half an hour later, when Quaye rounded off a virtuoso display with a magnificent 20-yard free-kick, securing the hosts an emphatic 3-0 victory.

 

Torquay United - 3 (Svensson 25, Moran 44, Quaye 90)

Fulham - 0

Division 1, Attendance 6,487 - POSITIONS: Torquay 4th, Fulham 5th

FULHAM LINE-UP (4-4-1-1): Hudson; Bowater, Davies, Piccolo (Proffitt), McCartney; Richards (McVeigh), Danns, Núñez, Bouchiba (Gibson); Mølby; Ormerod. BOOKED: Piccolo.

 

That was awful. I don't think a lot more needs to be said.

 

Walter Piccolo's yellow card was his fifth of the season, which meant that the Italian defender would be suspended from our next league match at home to Notts County on 15 January. Don't forget that Hudson would start a three-match ban at the same time.

 

Before that, though, we had to negotiate an FA Cup Round 3 tie at home to Division 2 Macclesfield, whose 14-game unbeaten run made them a force to be reckoned with. That said, I still decided to rest a couple of our biggest stars - and give a full debut to 16-year-old left-winger Wayne Cable.

 

8 JANUARY 2011: Fulham vs Macclesfield Town

Wayne Cable's full debut lasted all of 10 minutes - and then his left knee gave way. As the youngster was carried off the field in tears, I faced a major headache, as our usual left-winger Elbekay Bouchiba had been left out of the squad immediately. That meant left-back and captain George McCartney had to come on and play a more advanced role than usual.

 

Macclesfield playmaker Wayne Graves made our situation even more grave in the 16th minute. A killer cross to the head of German midfielder Martin Geyer silenced Craven Cottage and gave the visitors a shock lead.

 

Thankfully, we bounced back just over a minute later. Michael Gibson's trickery from the right wing won us a close-range free-kick, which the 18-year-old lifted into the box for the ageless Brett Ormerod to head home! Surely this would mark the start of a comeback?

 

No, it wouldn't. Russell Howarth might have been a weak link in an otherwise strong Macclesfield team, but the goalkeeper - like many other opposition goalkeepers - seemed to save his best performance of the season for us. Ormerod and Anestis Agritis each had a couple more shots on target, but they were all saved by Howarth, who also kept Gibson off the scoresheet.

 

By contrast, the Silkmen had just three shots on target - and scored from two of them. In the 70th minute, Lee Kelly's free-kick from the left wing was finished with aplomb by Jon Jordan - a 20-year-old defensive midfielder who had never scored a senior goal before. We were so stunned that we couldn't deliver a response in the final 20 minutes, and fell out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle.

 

Fulham - 1 (Ormerod 17)

Macclesfield Town - 2 (Geyer 16, J Jordan 70)

FA Cup Round 3, Attendance 5,359

FULHAM LINE-UP (4-4-2): Hudson; Bowater, Svensson, Piccolo, Proffitt; Gibson, Mølby (Núñez), McDonald, Cable (McCartney); Agritis, Ormerod. BOOKED: Piccolo, Mølby.

 

Incredible. Beaten at home by a lower-league team, thanks to two goals from a couple of midfielders who had scored a total of ONE goal between them prior to this match.

 

Central defence was a clear weak link in this team, so I looked at signing a new stopper. Finnish anchor man Henri Myntti was sold to Southampton for a mint (or £1million, to be more precise) to help finance this new signing, who unfortunately would not arrive in time for our next match.

 

Our play-off place was on the line when we hosted mid-table Notts County - with neither Hudson nor Piccolo in our defence. Backup goalkeeper Jimmy Wilkinson really would have to pull out all the stops to get us back to winning ways?

 

15 JANUARY 2011: Fulham vs Notts County

Notts County's marauding wing-backs caused us plenty of problems in the 10th minute. Right-back and captain Kevin McNaughton skipped past a limp challenge from Paul McVeigh and then put a low cross into the far post, where left-back Nicky Shorey slotted in a very rare goal - just his 7th in over 400 senior games, in fact.

 

After the woodwork denied David Livermore what would have been a quickfire second goal for County, we recovered our composure and eventually levelled the scores eight minutes from half-time. The Magpies got a taste of their own medicine when our left-back George McCartney's header was driven in low by Graham Bowater at right-back. Funnily enough, that was also Bowater's 7th senior goal of a decade-long career - and his first ever goal for Fulham!

 

Two minutes later, McVeigh came frustrating close to turning the game on its head, having THREE shots saved by Mark Heath in quick succession. Heath had been Tottenham's starting keeper in the Premiership last season, but the youngster had hardly covered himself in glory, so it was a shock to see him actually defend his goal so resiliently!

 

Heath continued to frustrate our attackers in the second half, eventually saving six of our seven shots on target. By contrast, our stand-in goalie Jimmy Wilkinson only had a 50% save success rate. Wilko's biggest failure came in the 77th minute, when County's teenage substitute Jean Leroy headed in the winning goal from Jan Prochazka's free-kick.

 

Fulham - 1 (Bowater 37)

Notts County - 2 (Shorey 10, Leroy 77)

Division 1, Attendance 13,177 - POSITIONS: Fulham 7th, Notts County 16th

FULHAM LINE-UP (4-4-1-1): Wilkinson; Bowater, Svensson, Davies, McCartney; Richards (Brough), Danns, McDonald (Núñez), Bouchiba; Ormerod (Agritis), McVeigh. BOOKED: Bouchiba, Svensson.

 

At the end of 2010, we had WON six games in a row. At the start of 2011, we had LOST three straight! And it seemed like every single goalkeeper in the Football League was playing like Sebastien Frey whenever they played against Fulham!

 

This team badly needed an aggressive stopper - and they don't get much more aggressive than Ben Thatcher. The 35-year-old former Wales international joined us from Norwich for £20,000 and would provide some old-school, no-nonsense, tough-tackling defending.

 

We had also recruited another centre-back, but one with the long-term very much in mind. 18-year-old Halldór Magnusson is a similarly boisterous central defensive stopper who can also play at left-back if required. The Icelandic youth international had been a free agent since leaving ÍA at the end of last year.

 

I also signed a new right-back on loan to give Graham Bowater some more competition. 29-year-old Yorkshireman Kevin Dawson arrived from Aston Villa on a four-month deal - and then immediately suffered a calf strain, which meant he would miss the first of those. Fantastic.

 

My final match of a miserable month came in familiar surroundings. I needed to remember to go into the away dugout at Aggborough when I faced my former Kidderminster charges, who had struggled for consistency under their new manager Tony Adams.

 

Tony was a very direct manager who liked a 5-3-2 formation. Hoping to exploit any weaknesses in midfield, I adopted a narrow 4-4-2 diamond, which had occasionally been a source of success during my time with the Harriers.

 

22 JANUARY 2011: Kidderminster Harriers vs Fulham

After a very slow start, things gradually warmed up when Paul McVeigh had a couple of shots either side of the half-hour mark. His first strike on 28 minutes went inches wide, but five minutes later, the Ulsterman rose high above Jim Brennan to head in a right-wing cross from Graham Bowater. First blood to the Cottagers!

 

Switching to the diamond had worked wonders, as Kidderminster's sole midfielder David Norris was overwhelmed in the middle and we dominated possession. Come the 58th minute, we had asserted full control over this match with another McVeigh shot, who dribbled effortlessly through the defence before slotting the ball past Kent Ivarsson.

 

Incredibly, my Harriers successor Tony Adams had not only decided to put Ivarsson in goal; he had also made him captain! To be fair, Kent did make some good saves to keep the scoreline down to 2-0, but the shaky Swede hardly inspired confidence in his team-mates. Kidderminster had just two shots at goal, both of which were easily saved by Jimmy Wilkinson for a comfortable clean sheet - and a return to winning ways!

 

Kidderminster Harriers - 0

Fulham - 2 (McVeigh 33,58)

Division 1, Attendance 7,218 - POSITIONS: Kidderminster 15th, Fulham 5th

FULHAM LINE-UP (4-4-2 Diamond): Wilkinson; Bowater, Piccolo, Thatcher, McCartney; Núñez (McDonald); Danns, Bouchiba; Mølby (Brough); Ormerod (Agritis), McVeigh.

 

After the match, I waved once again to the Kidderminster fans - partly in apology this time. It did sting a little that I was dealing another blow to the promotion chances of my former team, even if it did help lift Fulham back into the top six.

 

But once I entered the dressing room to congratulate my players, any sense of sentiment or sympathy evaporated. Fulham was very much my team now, and I was now more determined to lead this grand old club back to the league where it belongs: the Premiership.

Edited March 28 by CFuller

[CFuller]

DIVISION 1 TABLE (End of January 2011)

Pos     Team                            Pld  Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Pts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st     Crewe                           29   12   2    1    30   11   7    3    4    20   20   62   
2nd     Torquay                         29   11   1    2    36   15   5    4    6    17   21   53   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd     Charlton                        29   8    4    3    23   11   5    8    1    15   10   51   
4th     Grimsby                         29   9    4    1    24   9    5    5    5    16   15   51   
5th     Sheff Utd                       29   10   1    3    36   17   5    4    6    21   21   50   
6th     Fulham                          29   9    2    4    27   16   6    3    5    20   18   50   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7th     Birmingham                      29   9    1    4    30   21   7    1    7    32   36   50   
8th     Nottm Forest                    29   11   0    3    33   18   4    4    7    16   27   49   
9th     Swindon                         29   9    4    2    25   11   4    3    7    22   23   46   
10th    Preston                         29   10   3    2    28   17   4    1    9    10   24   46   
11th    West Ham                        29   7    5    2    20   10   5    4    6    16   15   45   
12th    Huddersfield                    29   5    4    6    16   14   7    4    3    18   13   44   
13th    Tottenham                       29   11   1    2    28   11   2    4    9    15   26   44   
14th    Chesterfield                    29   7    5    3    21   14   5    3    6    19   25   44   
15th    Kidderminster                   29   7    4    3    25   14   4    1    10   14   24   38   
16th    Notts Co                        29   7    5    3    23   14   3    3    8    19   31   38   
17th    W.B.A.                          29   7    2    5    24   17   3    5    7    15   23   37   
18th    Aston Villa                     29   7    4    4    23   19   2    3    9    17   27   34   
19th    Norwich                         29   6    3    5    27   22   1    4    10   16   39   28   
20th    Carlisle                        29   7    4    4    27   20   0    3    11   6    37   28   
21st    Dag & Red                       29   2    7    5    6    10   3    3    9    5    13   25   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22nd    Sunderland                      29   4    6    5    13   13   0    2    12   6    23   20   
23rd    Millwall                        29   3    5    6    14   19   0    4    11   7    28   18   
24th    Bristol City                    29   2    3    10   12   26   1    1    12   7    32   13   

 

ELSEWHERE IN FOOTBALL...

• Tensions run high at Old Trafford when Maicon reacts angrily to being substituted during a 3-1 Premiership win over Coventry. The Brazil right-back trades insults with his manager Hélio dos Anjos, who is already reported to have fallen out with French stars Djibril Cissé and William Gallas. Captain Gary Neville shakes his head and sighs, "This is Manchester United..."
• After just five months as player-manager, Emile Heskey is sacked by Blackburn, having won just two out of 21 Premiership matches in charge. Danny Wilson takes over the reins and tries to bring some sunshine back to Ewood Park by re-signing former Rovers midfielder Danny Murphy from Stoke.
• With Liverpool struggling to sustain a Premiership title challenge, the Moores family finally decide to sell the club. American billionaire Daniel W Dixon immediately adds $28million to the Liverpool Reds budget and vows to draft an elite quarterback who can bring the World Series to Ann Field.
• Barcelona return to the top of La Liga after extending their winning streak to eight matches. Relegation-battling Real Sociedad suffer particularly badly, losing back-to-back matches to Barça by an aggregate score of 7-0. Lionel Messi scores four goals to bring his La Liga goal tally for this season up to 21 - more than double anybody else's.
• Scottish Premier League champions Celtic bolster their defensive options by signing Birmingham's brilliant 23-year-old left-back Danny Bruce for £2.6million. Meanwhile, leaders Rangers complete the club-record £12.75million signing of Besiktas striker Nihat - and kick off a new Glaswegian fashion trend when 'Teddy Bears' start putting headwear over their legs.

 

IN OTHER NEWS...

• A Tunisian street vendor sets himself on fire and dies in hospital, sparking mass protests against the country's President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. The dictator - and part-time Crazy Frog ringtone - eventually flees to Saudi Arabia, ending his 23-year grip on power.
• Rumour has it that “21” by Adele is already the best album of the year. The London pop-soul songstress might be rolling in the deep, but she is raking in the cash when it becomes a huge success on both sides of the Atlantic.
• Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys and pundit Andy Gray are taken off air after making a series of sexist comments, most notably about the female assistant referee Sian Massey. Keys insists, "It was just banter."
• England complete a 3-1 Test series win in Australia - their first triumph Down Under since 1987 - and retain the Ashes. Alastair Cook hits 766 runs and is named ‘Man of the Series’, confirming that if you want to find a talented English batter, the only way is Essex.

Edited October 16, 2023 by CFuller

[CFuller]

FEBRUARY 2011

January had not gone entirely to plan, but victory at Kidderminster in our last fixture had taken us back into the Division 1 play-off places. If we could get through our next five matches - which included another trip to one of my former clubs - Fulham fans could begin to dream about Premiership football returning to Craven Cottage.

 

Kicking off our February schedule was against West Brom, who were looking to dampen spirits at the Cottage by inflicting a third consecutive home defeat on us. Fulham's first-choice goalkeeper Wayne Hudson was completing his three-match ban, so our de jure number 1 Jimmy Wilkinson was once again between the sticks.

 

5 FEBRUARY 2011: Fulham vs West Bromwich Albion

Jimmy Wilkinson was determined to keep his place in the team, as he showed by making a stunning fingertip save to keep West Brom midfielder Gary Jones off the scoreboard in the 19th minute. Sadly, Wilko could do little about Neil Clement's header from the subsequent Mike Holland corner.

 

Clement's goal sent us into the break trailing 1-0, though we did have several chances to draw level before half-time. Brett Ormerod fired a promising effort well wide in the 30th minute after being crowded out by Baggies defenders. Right-back Graham Bowater had our best chance in the 42nd minute, firing George McCartney's left-wing cross against the bar.

 

Wilkinson made a few more saves to stop West Brom pulling further ahead early in the second half. Then, in the 60th minute, the match took a significant turn. Ormerod's header was turned away by Albion goalkeeper Michael Oakes... but only to our other veteran striker Paul McVeigh, whose low drive restored parity!

 

Four minutes later, Fulham playmaker Neil Danns collected a pass from substitute Idan Tal. Danns looked up and threaded the ball into space for McVeigh, who converted again to complete a quick turnaround! McVeigh almost sealed a hat-trick in the 72nd minute, heading Bowater's cross over the bar, though we remained on track for a first home win of the year!

 

Fulham - 2 (McVeigh 60,64)

West Bromwich Albion - 1 (Clement 19)

Division 1, Attendance 14,371 - POSITIONS: Fulham 5th, West Brom 17th

FULHAM LINE-UP (4-4-2): Wilkinson; Bowater, Piccolo, Thatcher, McCartney; Brough (Richards), Danns, McDonald (Tal), Bouchiba; McVeigh, Ormerod (Davies).

 

Fair play to the lads for showing great fighting spirit - especially Paul McVeigh, whose brace put him on 15 league goals for the season. The 33-year-old Northern Irishman was now behind only three players in the Division 1 scoring charts: Birmingham's Andy Johnson, West Brom's Neil Mellor, and Chesterfield's Lars Iver Strand.

 

But as well as Wilkinson had played during his last three games, I still decided to recall Hudson to the starting line-up for a tricky away match against 3rd-placed Charlton at The Valley. I also brought young midfielders Vicente Núñez and Tom Mølby back into the squad.

 

12 FEBRUARY 2011: Charlton Athletic vs Fulham

Vicente Núñez's direct passing played a role in us taking the lead after just 11 minutes. The Spaniard sought out George McCartney on the left wing, and a deadly cross from our captain was met by an even deadlier Brett Ormerod header. 1-0 to the Cottagers!

 

After that early opener, however, our distribution got much sloppier and Charlton began to dominate proceedings. Though the back four did its best to try and stop the Addicks' attackers, we still needed Wayne Hudson to make several first-half saves - from the likes of veteran midfielder Steve Housham and Irish international Damien Delaney.

 

The Charlton onslaught continued until the 64th minute. 19-year-old Welsh left-back Gareth Jeffries had created several great chances, and his hard work eventually paid off when an incisive cross was finished by Addicks hotshot Darren Huckerby. Though substitute Anestis Agritis almost scored an injury-time winner for us, we had to settle for a point.

 

Charlton Athletic - 1 (Huckerby 64)

Fulham - 1 (Ormerod 11)

Division 1, Attendance 20,510 - POSITIONS: Charlton 3rd, Fulham 5th

FULHAM LINE-UP (4-4-2 Diamond): Hudson; Bowater, Piccolo, Thatcher, McCartney; Núñez; Danns, Bouchiba (Gibson); Tal (Mølby); McVeigh (Agritis), Ormerod.

 

Guess you know why I brought Hudson back in straight away? I might complain a lot about how all the opposition goalkeepers play brilliantly against us - but I genuinely believe we have the best shotstopper in Division 1. What a guy.

 

We were hot favourites to win our next home match, especially as our opponents Sunderland were enduring one of their worst seasons on record. Having dropped out of the Premiership, the Mackems were now at serious risk of plunging into Division 2, as they were six points adrift of safety. Incredibly, relegation specialist Roy Keane still had the backing of the board... but for how long?

 

19 FEBRUARY 2011: Fulham vs Sunderland

With Fulham flying high and Sunderland in a slump, this should have been a doddle, right? Not when James Jowsey was the Black Cat in goal. I knew all about Jowsey's abilities, and my former Kidderminster loanee showed great reactions to prevent an almost certain own goal in the 42nd minute, when Vicente Núñez's shot took a huge deflection off Steven Caldwell.

 

Jowsey also saved a couple of chances from Brett Ormerod before the deadlock was finally broken in the 52nd minute... by Sunderland. The visitors overwhelmed us with a quickfire, which ended in Sunderland midfielder Luke Chadwick beating our goalkeeper Wayne Hudson to a cross from Michael Dunwell.

 

We tried to get back on terms quickly, but midfield talents Núñez and Tom Mølby lacked the know-how and technical skill to break down a well-drilled Sunderland back-five. It was left to other players to set up even a few half-chances for Ormerod and Paul McVeigh, all of which Jowsey was equal to.

 

Our frustrations eventually resulted in a couple of bookings, and then - with eight minutes to go - a decisive second Sunderland goal. A rocket from Scottish striker Steven Hampshire put the match beyond our reach, even if McVeigh did finally get a Cottagers consolation not long afterwards.

 

Fulham - 1 (McVeigh 84)

Sunderland - 2 (Chadwick 52, Hampshire 82)

Division 1, Attendance 16,835 - POSITIONS: Fulham 5th, Sunderland 22nd

FULHAM LINE-UP (4-4-2): Hudson; Bowater, Piccolo (Svensson), Thatcher, McCartney; Núñez; Danns (Brough), McDonald (Bouchiba); Mølby; McVeigh, Ormerod. BOOKED: Bouchiba, Thatcher.

 

If you're serious about getting promoted, you have to be strong at home - especially against struggling teams like Sunderland. That was our third defeat in our last four games at Craven Cottage.

 

Just three days later, we were under pressure to beat the team who sat directly above Sunderland in the relegation zone. Willy Wordsworth's staunch commitment to defensive football had finally come back to haunt Dagenham & Redbridge, whose inability to score had seen them gradually fall down the table and right into a relegation battle.

 

We arrived at Victoria Road with two new faces in the team. The first of them was right-back Kevin Dawson, who was finally fit to play after a calf injury had wiped out the first month of his four-month loan from Aston Villa.

 

Also making his debut was another loanee - Scotland Under-21s midfielder Scott Mitchell, who arrived from Ipswich until the end of the season. A resilient and selfless defensive midfielder, the 19-year-old 'Scotty Dog' would help to protect our backline, especially as Núñez wasn't mentally tough enough to be a regular starter just yet.

 

22 FEBRUARY 2011: Dagenham & Redbridge vs Fulham

Dagenham & Redbridge were making an art form of old-school tactics - but for the first half-hour, we tried our best to emulate them. Daggers striker Steve Allen cried, "Ay caramba!", when he was wiped out by a robust sliding challenge from Fulham centre-back Walter Piccolo after just three minutes. Piccolo somehow escaped with just a ticking-off... but another Cottager was not so lucky.

 

In the 30th minute, just moments after Scott Mitchell had blasted over a chance to score on his Fulham debut, things went horribly wrong for our longest-serving player. As Michael Rogers dribbled into our penalty area, captain George McCartney made a mindless two-footed lunge on the Dagenham winger. McCartney was shown a straight red card and the Daggers were awarded a penalty, which Allen scored with ease.

 

Before this match, Allen had scored two goals this season. By the 42nd minute, the Wales Under-21s forward had doubled his tally, outpacing left-back Graham Bowater to finish a cross from on-loan Crewe winger Ian Jones. Ay caramba, indeed.

 

Another poor defensive display left us 2-0 down at half-time - but my strongest criticism was for 19-year-old playmaker Tom Mølby. The Dane had gone off the boil since his breakthrough in December, so I replaced him with fellow teenager Michael Gibson. The team responded with a strong start to the second half, two minutes into which Paul McVeigh halved our deficit from Elbekay Bouchiba's cross.

 

Unfortunately, that was just a false dawn. McVeigh's strike was our only shot on target in the entire game. If Dagenham's second-half shooting had not been so wayward, the final scoreline could have been much more than 2-1, but this was still a three-goal thriller as far as Willy Wordsworth's side were concerned.

 

Dagenham & Redbridge - 2 (Allen pen30,42)

Fulham - 1 (McVeigh 47)

Division 1, Attendance 7,958 - POSITIONS: Dag & Red 20th, Fulham 6th

FULHAM LINE-UP (4-4-1-1): Hudson; Dawson, Piccolo, Thatcher, McCartney; Richards (Brough), Mølby (Gibson), Mitchell, Bouchiba; Ormerod (Bowater); McVeigh. BOOKED: Richards, Thatcher. SENT OFF: McCartney.

 

Another pathetic performance. As long as we continue to make basic defensive errors and lose our discipline, we can forget about staying in the top six, let alone going for automatic promotion!

 

I certainly hadn't expected George McCartney to show such recklessness. This was his 357th league game for Fulham - and only the second time he'd been sent off. He would soon have to serve a three-match ban - and he would also have to cough up a two-week fine, for the poor performance as well as the red card.

 

I decided not to drop McCartney from the starting line-up that Aston Villa, though Ben Thatcher and Walter Piccolo were replaced at centre-half by Curtis Davies and Bo Svensson. If we failed to beat the Villans here, we would finish the month outside the play-off places.

 

27 FEBRUARY 2011: Fulham vs Aston Villa

Although the first half wasn't a thriller by any means, we did look much better going forward than we had done in our last couple of matches. Elbekay Bouchiba was unlucky to flick an excellent header against the woodwork after just 29 minutes, but Paul McVeigh went one better two minutes later. A clever cross by teenager Michael Gibson allowed the in-form Northern Irishman to head in his fifth goal of the month - his 20th of the season.

 

Things heated up in the 54th minute, when Aston Villa had three chances to equalise. After luckless forward Fortuné Ndzi and captain Joe Dolan each had shots saved by Wayne Hudson, a gaping goal appeared in front of Spanish right-back Alejandro Domínguez, who somehow scuffed the ball horribly wide!

 

The Villans were more like villains in the final nine minutes, when their players picked up three cards - including a red card for attacking midfielder Scott Douglas, who was sent off for pushing Gary McDonald. That reduced Villa to 10 men and meant we could defend our 1-0 lead more comfortably, even with 19-year-old reserve defender Stephen Richardson getting a late run-out.

 

Fulham - 1 (McVeigh 31)

Aston Villa - 0

Division 1, Attendance 13,824 - POSITIONS: Fulham 5th, Aston Villa 18th

FULHAM LINE-UP (4-1-4-1): Hudson; Dawson, Svensson (Richardson), Davies, McCartney; Mitchell; Gibson, Danns (Mølby), McDonald, Bouchiba; McVeigh. BOOKED: Svensson, Mitchell.

 

While our form since January has been pretty rocky, we're just about clinging onto a play-off spot as we head into the final 12 matches of the season. Do we have what it takes to stay in that top six?

Edited March 28 by CFuller

[CFuller]

DIVISION 1 TABLE (End of February 2011)

Pos     Team                            Pld  Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Pts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st     Crewe                           33   13   3    1    32   12   8    4    4    24   22   70   
2nd     Torquay                         34   12   2    2    40   17   7    4    7    23   24   63   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd     Grimsby                         33   11   4    1    31   11   6    6    5    19   16   61   
4th     Charlton                        34   8    6    3    25   13   7    8    2    19   14   59   
5th     Fulham                          34   11   2    5    31   19   6    4    6    22   21   57   
6th     Sheff Utd                       33   12   1    3    41   19   5    4    8    24   27   56   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7th     Preston                         34   13   3    2    35   19   4    2    10   11   26   56   
8th     West Ham                        33   8    6    2    22   11   7    4    6    18   15   55   
9th     Birmingham                      34   10   2    5    36   27   7    1    9    34   40   54   
10th    Huddersfield                    33   7    4    6    22   18   7    6    3    19   14   52   
11th    Nottm Forest                    34   12   0    5    37   27   4    4    9    20   34   52   
12th    Swindon                         34   10   4    4    27   15   4    5    7    23   24   51   
13th    Chesterfield                    33   8    5    4    24   17   6    3    7    21   29   50   
14th    Notts Co                        34   9    5    3    26   15   4    3    10   23   36   47   
15th    W.B.A.                          33   9    2    5    30   21   4    5    8    19   26   46   
16th    Tottenham                       33   11   1    4    30   15   2    5    10   19   32   45   
17th    Kidderminster                   34   7    6    3    25   14   4    2    12   17   29   41   
18th    Aston Villa                     33   7    5    5    25   23   2    4    10   18   29   36   
19th    Norwich                         33   8    3    5    32   24   1    4    12   19   45   34   
20th    Carlisle                        34   9    4    5    33   24   0    3    13   8    41   34   
21st    Dag & Red                       34   4    8    5    12   12   3    3    11   7    17   32   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22nd    Sunderland                      34   4    7    6    14   15   2    2    13   11   27   27   
23rd    Millwall                        33   5    5    6    21   20   0    4    13   9    34   24   
24th    Bristol City                    33   2    3    11   12   27   1    1    15   8    41   13   

 

ELSEWHERE IN FOOTBALL...

• Manchester United's Champions League hopes suffer a huge blow as Celtic outclass them 3-1 in Glasgow, and then win 2-1 at Old Trafford. Three goals from 21-year-old captain Gordon Weir and two from Steven Nicholas put the Bhoys at the top of a group that also includes Lazio and Nürnberg.
• At least United are still on course to win another Premiership title. Joe O'Shea scores a hat-trick and misses a penalty in a potentially defining 3-0 win over Arsenal, whose left-back Patrice Evra is sent off for swearing in front of young children (who also happen to be his team-mates).
• Barcelona's winning streak continues, as they secure a Champions League Quarter Final spot, while Lionel Messi's 31st-minute winner at Real Madrid moves them even closer to another La Liga title. After the match, Real boss Vicente del Bosque looks at his squad full of 30-something codgers and sighs, "We need more experience."
• Former Celtic manager Jim Jefferies continues his comedy world tour by leaving mid-table German side Borussia Mönchengladbach to take over at mid-table Spanish side Deportivo. With Deportivo struggling to score goals, Jefferies knows exactly who his first signing will be - Port Vale legend Paul Musselwhite, as goalkeeping coach.
• Dortmund storm to a 5-1 win over Bundesliga minnows Ahlen - with David Trezeguet, Samuel Eto'o and Tomas Rosicky all on target for the defending champions. Nobody is more shocked than Ahlen's coach Peter Neururer, who thought he had signed René Adler to play in goal... but had in fact hired an 18-year-old named Ronny Adler!

 

IN OTHER NEWS...

• As anti-government protests spread across the Arab world, another North African strongman is deposed from office - with Hosni Mubarak stepping down as Egypt's President after nearly 30 years. Meanwhile, civil war breaks out in Libya, as forces loyal to Colonel Muammar Gaddafi clash with rebel groups.
• A record 111 million Americans tune in to watch Super Bowl XLV on television, despite having to endure the Black Eyed Peas at half-time. The Green Bay Packers defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25 in Arlington, Texas, thanks to an MVP performance from quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
• Lady Gaga returns to the top of the US charts with her new club anthem “Born This Way”. The track - and its typically understated music video - is especially popular among the LGBT+ community, not to mention the black-white-beige-chola-Lebanese community.
• Product placement is allowed on British TV for the first time. It’s only a matter of time before we see Ken Barlow eating Kellogg’s Corn Flakes for breakfast, or Dot Cotton puffing on Benson & Hedges cigarettes.

[Vossenoren]

On 16/10/2023 at 04:47, CFuller said:

With Liverpool struggling to sustain a Premiership title challenge, the Moores family finally decide to sell the club. American billionaire Daniel W Dixon immediately adds $28million to the Liverpool Reds budget and vows to draft an elite quarterback who can bring the World Series to Ann Field.

This was an excellent way to start my morning

[CFuller]

MARCH 2011

When I took over as Fulham manager back in November, many people said to me that the club's standout player was Dane Richards - the pacey and flamboyant Jamaican right-winger who apparently had the ability to turn any match on his head. After three months in charge, I was not convinced.

 

Richards had produced just two assists in nine matches - hardly game-changing form by any means. Scott Brough had been more creative on the right wing for me, and 18-year-old Michael Gibson was also emerging as a serious talent, so it was becoming increasingly hard to justify paying Dane £23,000 per week. Only Brett Ormerod and Paul McVeigh were on higher wages.

 

I decided to put Richards up for sale, and by the start of March, he had already moved out of Craven Cottage. Premiership strugglers Middlesbrough had agreed to stump up £2million for Richards - a ten-fold increase on the £200,000 that my predecessor Garry Hill had paid Ulsan to sign him back in July. That's not bad business, is it?

 

In terms of business on the pitch, our Division 1 campaign continued at Saltergate against mid-table Chesterfield. Fulham's first match of the month would also be captain George McCartney's only match of the month, as his red card in Dagenham had banned him from the next three.

 

5 MARCH 2011: Chesterfield vs Fulham

Chesterfield bossed the opening stages, with Lars Iver Strand forcing a difficult save from Wayne Hudson after just two minutes. Korean right-back Chong-Goog Song missed the target with another effort three minutes later - but he fared rather better than his Fulham counterpart. After 32 minutes, Kevin Dawson gashed his leg and was forced off, which meant the left-footed substitute Ben Thatcher would have to take his place.

 

With seemingly everything going wrong for us at Saltergate, you could probably guess what happened in the 45th minute. That's right... Fulham took the lead! After two unsuccessful attempts at goal, it was third time lucky for Paul McVeigh, who dribbled past 37-year-old Chesterfield defender Linvoy Primus to continue his scoring streak!

 

Our lead was a very fragile thing, though, and it was even more vulnerable in the 60th minute, when Thatcher did a Thatcher thing. Andy Rushbury's reward for finding a way past the ex-Wales madman was to get hacked from behind with both feet. Thatcher was sent off, defensive midfielder Scott Mitchell moved to right-back, and we needed to hold on for the final half-hour with only 10 men.

 

Of course, when you have a goalkeeper as imposing as Hudson, anything is possible. After Hudson confidently punched away a Vegard Heggem corner in the 74th minute, Bryan Robson's Spireites struggled to come up with any other ideas, and we returned home with all three points!

 

Chesterfield - 0

Fulham - 1 (McVeigh 45)

Division 1, Attendance 5,987 - POSITIONS: Chesterfield 14th, Fulham 4th

FULHAM LINE-UP (4-1-4-1): Hudson; Dawson (Thatcher), Svensson, Davies, McCartney; Mitchell; Gibson (Brough), Danns, McDonald, Bouchiba; McVeigh (Richardson). SENT OFF: Thatcher.

 

Kevin Dawson was now out for another fortnight, this time with a gashed leg. Meanwhile, Ben Thatcher copped a three-match ban and was fined a week's wages, which prompted the serene, well-mannered Welshman to flip over my office desk and smash everything to pieces.

 

Even when we're keeping clean sheets, our defence is still an utter mess.

 

Thatcher was supposed to deputise for McCartney at left-back for our next match - but his ill-discipline meant I had to play 18-year-old Nigel Proffitt against the league leaders instead. Meanwhile, Ormerod picked up a calf strain, so Greek goalgetter Anestis Agritis would fill in for him alongside the unstoppable McVeigh up front.

 

9 MARCH 2011: Fulham vs Crewe Alexandra

Though Crewe had one of the most threatening attacks in the leagues, they could not find a way past Wayne Hudson in the first half. With top scorer Lee McCulloch being rested, their main man up front was Dave Kitson, whose vicious shot in the 6th minute was brilliantly turned behind by Hudson. That was the first of four saves Wayne would make before half-time - all from different Railwaymen.

 

Unfortunately, we were struggling to come up with any good attacking play of our own until the second half, when substitute Tom Mølby added some creativity to our midfield. This led to a great chance in the 52nd minute for Paul McVeigh, who fired it against the woodwork.

 

We tried our luck again on 64 minutes. Mølby sought out a left-wing run from our flying Dutchman Elbekay Bouchiba, who put a super cross into the six-yard box. Waiting there was McVeigh, who outjumped Crewe's 17-year-old libero Michael Peters and headed in his 100th goal for Fulham. It also extended the Northern Irishman's scoring run to five matches in a row!

 

The league leaders were now on the ropes, but they had two great chances to fight back in the 80th minute. Once again, though, Hudson kept them at bay, stopping a fierce drive from right-back Stephen Carr before also catching the follow-up from midfielder Grant McCann. No wonder the Crewe manager Graeme Souness looked furious at full-time!

 

Fulham - 1 (McVeigh 64)

Crewe Alexandra - 0

Division 1, Attendance 12,964 - POSITIONS: Fulham 4th, Crewe 1st

FULHAM LINE-UP (4-4-2): Hudson; Bowater, Svensson, Davies, Proffitt (Magnusson); Brough, Danns, Mitchell, Bouchiba (Gibson); McVeigh, Agritis (Mølby).

 

That's three 1-0 wins in a row - not that I am complaining! We were now rather more comfortable in the play-off places, and just four points off 2nd-placed Torquay.

 

Next up, we went to White Hart Lane to take on fallen giants Tottenham. Spurs had not responded well at all to the shock of being relegated from the Premiership last year, and their hopes of an immediate return hinged on an unlikely late surge into the play-offs.

 

12 MARCH 2011: Tottenham Hotspur vs Fulham

Spoiler alert: Paul McVeigh did not score in this match. He did, however, play a big part in our opening goal after just two minutes. McVeigh squared the ball to our young right-winger Michael Gibson, whose cross to the far post was met with a simple finish from Scott Brough.

 

But then, in the 24th minute, Santa came bearing gifts for the long-suffering Tottenham fans. Finnish striker Matti Santahuhta found some space in between our defenders, and when he thundered in a cross from left-back Danny Wells, our run of three clean sheets was over. We had also lost our lead...

 

...only to find it again just two minutes later. McVeigh won us a free-kick close to goal after his shirt was pulled by Tottenham captain Leigh Bromby. Brough swung it deep into the cross, and Tom Mølby's header brought the 19-year-old Danish midfielder just his second senior goal!

 

The thrills and spills continued, as the pendulum started to swing Tottenham's way once again. Our defenders just couldn't cope with the Sheringham-esque attacking intelligence of Santahuhta, who had three shots at goal in the five minutes leading up to half-time. He even found the net from the second of them, only to be flagged offside.

 

Of course, we didn't only have to worry about Santahuhta. If his earlier assist hadn't warned us about the danger of Wells' crossing ability, we certainly knew by the 61st minute. Another clever centre from the left wing found Santahuhta, who climbed above Bo Svensson and headed in a second Spurs equaliser. Though Matti was later denied a hat-trick by Wayne Hudson, his impressive brace meant the spoils were shared at 2-2.

 

Tottenham Hotspur - 2 (Santahuhta 24,61)

Fulham - 2 (Brough 2, Mølby 26)

Division 1, Attendance 35,291 - POSITIONS: Tottenham 16th, Fulham 3rd

FULHAM LINE-UP (4-1-4-1): Hudson; Bowater, Svensson, Davies, Proffitt (Magnusson); Mitchell; Gibson, Mølby, McDonald (Danns), Brough; McVeigh (Butler).

 

That was a thrilling match, but it was nothing compared to what the 8,952 spectators at Meadow Lane had witnessed. That match finished Notts County 5, Birmingham 6!

 

Neither of those teams were our next opponents, by the way. I just thought I would mention it...

 

We now had to beware the Ides of March when we visited Preston on 15 March. After a couple of substitute appearances, Icelandic youngster Halldór Magnusson made his first start at left-back.

 

15 MARCH 2011: Preston North End vs Fulham

David Moyes' 3-4-1-2 - fronted once again by David Healy and Richard Cresswell - caused us all sorts of problems early on. Preston missed a couple of early scoring opportunities before eventually succeeding in the 16th minute, when a first-time hit from Cresswell left Wayne Hudson helpless in the Fulham goal.

 

Preston's dominance continued throughout the first half. Our 19-year-old left-back Halldór Magnusson struggled to deal with the hosts' right-winger John Murray, who was a year younger but had far more experience at this level. Shortly before half-time, Murray managed to get a cross to Healy, whose header was stopped by Hudson's fingertips. Sadly, Wayne could not stop left-winger Dave Marsh from tapping in the rebound.

 

That left us 2-0 down at half-time, and we were unable to repair the damage in the following 45 minutes. Substitute striker Anestis Agritis' 66th-minute header which hit the bar was the closest we got. We even had to finish the game with 10 men, as right-back Graham Bowater suffered a hamstring injury in the closing stages.

 

Preston North End - 2 (Cresswell 16, Marsh 45)

Fulham - 0

Division 1, Attendance 20,127 - POSITIONS: Preston 11th, Fulham 5th

FULHAM LINE-UP (4-1-4-1): Hudson; Bowater, Svensson, Davies (Piccolo), Magnusson; Mitchell; Brough, Tal (Mølby), McDonald (Agritis), Bouchiba; McVeigh. BOOKED: Davies.

 

That was actually our final match of the month. A first defeat in five games was a disappointing note to go out on.

 

With eight games to go, we are five points off the automatic promotion places in 5th place. We are also only three points clear of 7th, with about 10 teams below us who still harbour realistic hopes of making the play-offs. There will be huge pressure on our shoulders as we head into the run-in.

 

We'll also have to do it without Brough. Yep... he only went and broke his leg in training. After 5 goals and 6 assists in 28 games, one of our most productive players is done for the season.

 

On the plus side, McCartney will be back from suspension… just as Thatcher begins his three-match ban.

Edited October 20, 2023 by CFuller

[CFuller]

DIVISION 1 TABLE (End of March 2011)

Pos     Team                            Pld  Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Pts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st     Crewe                           38   14   3    2    39   17   8    4    7    25   26   73   
2nd     Torquay                         38   13   3    2    41   17   7    6    7    27   28   69   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd     Grimsby                         38   12   6    1    37   16   6    6    7    20   20   66   
4th     Charlton                        38   8    8    3    26   14   8    8    3    21   16   64   
5th     Fulham                          38   12   2    5    32   19   7    5    7    25   25   64   
6th     Swindon                         38   12   4    4    29   15   5    6    7    24   24   61   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7th     West Ham                        38   9    7    3    24   13   7    6    6    20   17   61   
8th     Birmingham                      38   11   2    6    37   28   8    2    9    43   48   61   
9th     Nottm Forest                    38   14   0    5    42   29   5    4    10   26   39   61   
10th    Huddersfield                    38   8    5    7    25   21   8    7    3    22   14   60   
11th    Sheff Utd                       37   12   3    4    48   28   5    5    8    26   29   59   
12th    Preston                         38   14   3    3    39   22   4    2    12   12   32   59   
13th    Chesterfield                    38   8    5    6    24   21   8    4    7    31   37   57   
14th    Notts Co                        38   10   5    4    34   23   6    3    10   29   39   56   
15th    W.B.A.                          38   10   3    5    34   24   5    6    9    22   28   54   
16th    Tottenham                       38   12   2    4    34   18   3    5    12   26   41   52   
17th    Kidderminster                   38   9    6    3    28   15   4    2    14   18   32   47   
18th    Norwich                         37   10   3    5    39   27   3    4    12   25   47   46   
19th    Aston Villa                     38   8    5    6    29   28   3    5    11   21   32   43   
20th    Carlisle                        38   10   5    5    38   28   0    3    15   9    44   38   
21st    Sunderland                      38   6    7    6    17   15   3    2    14   12   28   36   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22nd    Dag & Red                       38   4    9    6    12   13   3    3    13   9    22   33   
23rd    Millwall                        38   6    5    8    24   24   0    5    14   11   37   28   
24th    Bristol City                    38   2    3    14   16   37   1    1    17   8    43   13   

  

ELSEWHERE IN FOOTBALL...

• Despite battling to even stay in the Bundesliga, Nürnberg reach the Champions League Quarter Final on their debut. Robin Van Persie inspires the Bavarian side to a 2-1 group win over Manchester United, which sees them through ahead of both the Red Devils and Lazio. Roma also bow out, which means that no Serie A teams make the knockout stages for the first time since 2001.
• Club Brugge qualify for a fourth successive Champions League Quarter Final, confirming their status as a major European force. Rafa Benítez says his work is done and moves to São Paulo, because the weather is warmer there than it is in Belgium. "Fact."
• Four French teams make it to the Quarter Finals of the UEFA Cup... but only one remains come the Semi Finals. Didier Drogba scores the winner as Terry Yorath's Marseille battle past Ajax 2-0 on aggregate. Things don't go quite as well for Bordeaux, Lille or Monaco, who are respectively knocked out by Parma, Rubin Kazan and Atalanta.
• After taking a 3-0 lead over Lazio in the 44th minute, it seems that Roma are about to go 10 points clear in Serie A. But Hernán Jorge Crespo's strike just before half-time inspires Lazio to a late comeback, as Cosmin Contra and then Kaká both score late on to salvage a 3-3 draw!
• Bayern München are one point above the Bundesliga relegation zone with eight games to play, following a 1-1 home draw in which striker Maksym Tsyhalka is sent off for a kung-fu kick at VfB Stuttgart defender Tomas Ujfalusi. Bayern president Franz Beckenbauer finally decides to act, and gives head coach Vegard Skogheim... a more comfortable desk chair.

 

IN OTHER NEWS...

• A 9.1-magnitude earthquake hits the east coast of Japan and triggers a huge tsunami. Over 15,000 people are killed, and the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant sustains major damage and releases radioactivity into the atmosphere.
• The 'Arab Spring' continues, as mass demonstrations begin in Syria against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. Government forces respond with brute force, killing hundreds of protestors and sieging various cities.
• Charlie Sheen is not “winning”. The actor loses his job on sitcom “Two and a Half Men” after an anti-Semitic rant against the show’s creator Chuck Lorre, and then makes a series of bizarre TV interviews where he talks about being a “warlock” with “tiger blood”. Gordon Strachan expresses interest in signing him for Hull.
• Dame Elizabeth Taylor - the English-American actress who became one of Hollywood’s biggest stars in the 1950s - passes away at the age of 79. Taylor was also well-known for her addiction to wedding cake, having been married eight times - including twice to her “Cleopatra” co-star Richard Burton.

[CFuller]

APRIL 2011

After finishing 21st in Division 1 for each of the last three seasons, Fulham fans were surely relieved to be looking further up the table as we headed into the run-in. Instead of fretting about relegation, the Craven Cottage faithful were now believing that this team could be promoted to the Premiership - either automatically or via the play-offs.

 

We headed into the final eight matches of the campaign with a three-point advantage on 7th-placed West Ham, and a five-point deficit on 2nd-placed Torquay. With so much to play for, these were the games that would decide our fate:

 

2 April: vs Carlisle (A, 20th)

6 April: vs Swindon (H, 6th)

9 April: vs Huddersfield (H, 10th)

16 April: vs Nottm Forest (A, 9th)

18 April: vs Millwall (H, 23rd)

23 April: vs Birmingham (A, 8th)

30 April: vs Bristol City (H, 24th)

8 May: vs Grimsby (A, 3rd)

 

The good news was that our next seven matches were against teams who started the month below us in the table. The likes of Swindon, Nottingham Forest and Birmingham were not likely to roll over easily, mind, so we would need to play very well to secure a top-six finish before that daunting final-day trip to Blundell Park.

 

Lincolnshire was a long way from west London, but the run-in began with an even longer journey - over 300 miles north to Carlisle. Having punched well above their weight in Division 1 for the past three seasons, the Cumbrians had spent almost the entire 2010/2011 campaign hovering just above the relegation zone.

 

Captain George McCartney returned to the Fulham line-up after serving a three-match ban, but fellow defender Ben Thatcher was now starting a similar suspension. We were also without the injured Graham Bowater, Brett Ormerod and Scott Brough - the latter being ruled out for the rest of the season after breaking his leg.

 

2 APRIL 2011: Carlisle United vs Fulham

I felt like breaking a couple more legs after a disastrous opening four minutes. Carlisle's Dutch midfielder Bjorn van der Doelen dribbled through our defence to open the scoring after just three minutes. Shortly after that, the Cumbrians launched another devastating attack, from which another midfielder - Jamie Ingledow - finished Danny Collins' left-back cross.

 

Though Carlisle had storned into a 2-0 lead, it soon became clear why they were struggling in the bottom five. Their hapless goalkeeper Paul McDonald scuffed a goal kick in the 19th minute, presenting Paul McVeigh with a golden opportunity. McVeigh's strike wasn't his best of the season, but McDonald couldn't keep it out, and we were back in the game...

 

...or at least we were for the next six minutes. Our defence fell apart again in the 25th minute, as Fulham's anchor man Scott Mitchell lost track of striker Kevin O'Donnell, who thundered in van der Doelen's through-ball for a 3-1 home lead.

 

The hosts didn’t stop there, and by 28 minutes, we had fallen to a 4-1 deficit. Hudson spilled an Ingledow shot straight to former Wimbledon winger Lionel Morgan, who tapped in his first goal of the season. This time, much of the blame fell on centre-back Curtis Davies, who had been so shaky in the opening half-hour that I hauled him off for Walter Piccolo.

 

Miraculously, we did not concede any more goals in this match. After giving the team a half-time dressing-down, we started the second half strongly, as McVeigh skimmed in his second goal of the afternoon. Teenage star Michael Gibson continued the fightback with another goal in the 60th minute, pulling it back to 4-3! Game on!

 

McDonald's erratic display was a concern for Carlisle's manager Nicky Law, who quickly brought Michael Clark on in his place. This would be an inspired change, as Clark made some vital saves in the last half-hour to stop our fightback. Mitchell and substitute Anestis Agritis were both denied in stoppage time, as our valiant second-half show proved to be for nothing.

 

Carlisle United - 4 (van der Doelen 3, Ingledow 4, O'Donnell 25, Morgan 28)

Fulham - 3 (McVeigh 19,46, Gibson 60)

Division 1, Attendance 15,030 - POSITIONS: Carlisle 20th, Fulham 6th

FULHAM LINE-UP (4-1-4-1): Hudson; Dawson, Svensson, Davies (Piccolo), McCartney; Mitchell; Gibson, Danns (Mølby), McDonald, Bouchiba (Agritis); McVeigh.

 

Despite such a spirited attempt at a comeback, that half-hour horror show at the start might well have cost us a play-off place. We were still just inside the top six, but only on goal difference from Birmingham. Sheffield United's 5-2 win over Kidderminster also meant that they were just two points behind with a game in hand.

 

The team who leapfrogged us into 5th place was Swindon. This added even more spice to our home meeting with Bobby Williamson's Robins a week later.

 

As our star winger Elbekay Bouchiba was experiencing a crisis in confidence, I gave another opportunity to the prodigious 16-year-old Wayne Cable. 20-year-old defensive midfielder Vicente Núñez also made his first start since January.

 

Before the match, it was announced that two of our players had made it into the PFA's Division 1 Select XI. McCartney was named in the starting line-up, and goalkeeper Wayne Hudson made it onto the bench, though 22 goals in 35 games were not enough for Paul McVeigh to even get a mention.

 

6 APRIL 2011: Fulham vs Swindon Town

After 14 minutes, the Fulham kids showed that they were more than alright! 20-year-old Vicente Núñez played an excellent midfield ball ahead of the surging right-winger Michael Gibson, who escaped Swindon's defence and slid in the opening goal. The 18-year-old had scored in back-to-back matches!

 

We continued to boss the first half, only for our attacks to be consistently frustrated by Nicky Weaver in the Swindon goal. To further add to our frustration, the Robins hit back just before half-time, scoring an equaliser from their very first shot. John Newton provided the assist for his midfield colleague Craig Pead, whose low shot slipped just beyond Wayne Hudson.

 

The second half was a much tighter affair - and a much feistier affair. Paul McVeigh and Scott Mitchell both went into the book for Fulham, as did Swindon's Irish centre-back Barry O'Sullivan. Indeed, when O'Sullivan tripped Anestis Agritis in the 78th minute to pick up a second yellow card, the visitors found themselves having to protect a draw with just 10 men.

 

Playing the final 12 minutes with an extra man, we sensed an opportunity to snatch a crucial victory. Young midfielder Tom Mølby created some good opportunities after coming off the bench, but our finishing lacked the killer touch. The best chance to clinch victory came three minutes from full-time, when Agritis headed Kevin Dawson's cross into Weaver's hands. That made it four games without a win; we had hit a slump at the wrong time.

 

Fulham - 1 (Gibson 14)

Swindon Town - 1 (Pead 45)

Division 1, Attendance 11,535 - POSITIONS: Fulham 6th, Swindon 5th

FULHAM LINE-UP (4-1-4-1): Hudson; Dawson, Davies, Piccolo, McCartney; Mitchell; Gibson, Danns, Núñez (Bouchiba), Cable (Mølby); McVeigh (Agritis). BOOKED: McVeigh, Mitchell.

 

We really couldn't afford to drop any more points in our next home game against Huddersfield, who might have been down in 13th but were only five points behind us. I switched back to a basic 4-4-2, while Ormerod returned to partner McVeigh.

 

9 APRIL 2011: Fulham vs Huddersfield Town

That was a big mistake. Playing a 4-4-2 against Huddersfield's 4-5-1, we gave up far too much of the centre to our visitors from Yorkshire. This allowed their striker Gavin Holligan to have three shots at goal before half-time, which were all gratefully saved by Wayne Hudson.

 

I looked to turn things around in the second half by switching to a narrow diamond - but if anything, Glen Hoddle's Terriers became even more dominant. With Scott Mitchell, Neil Danns and Tom Mølby all having off-days in our midfield, Huddersfield were able to boss possession and consistently put us on the back foot.

 

Once again, if it wasn't for Hudson's heroics in the Fulham goal, we could have suffered a heavy defeat. He certainly had a much busier game than Huddersfield’s young keeper Simon Ellis, who only needed to save one shot from Brett Ormerod.

 

Fulham - 0

Huddersfield Town - 0

Division 1, Attendance 12,491 - POSITIONS: Fulham 7th, Huddersfield 12th

FULHAM LINE-UP (4-4-2): Hudson; Dawson, Davies (Svensson), Piccolo, McCartney; Danns, Mølby, Mitchell, Bouchiba (Gibson); McVeigh, Ormerod. BOOKED: Davies, McCartney.

 

Another dismal performance, and now we were out of the play-off places - behind Birmingham by a single point.

 

I have a nasty habit of constantly switching tactics whenever things go wrong, and that continued at the City Ground against Nottingham Forest. I now turned back to the narrow 4-4-2 diamond, with Michael Gibson - our only fit and in-form winger - moving inside as part of that midfield quartet.

 

Bouchiba's form was so poor that he wasn't even on the coach that travelled to Nottingham. Thatcher was on board, though, as he sought to make amends for his bad behaviour last month.
 

16 APRIL 2011: Nottingham Forest vs Fulham

Inspired by the dynamism and creativity of their attacking midfield ace Tonton Zola Moukoko, Nottingham Forest began brightly. Moukoko created several promising scoring opportunties, and even managed a couple of shots of his own. Thanks to a combo of brave defending and wasteful finishing, though, we emerged unscathed at half-time.

 

Indeed, we went into the dressing room in a winning position! Anestis Agritis was unlucky to hit the bar in the 39th minute, but Vicente Núñez went one better just moments later. The silky Spaniard collected the ball from Tom Mølby and then unleashed a daisy-cutter, which crept into the Forest net for his first ever senior goal!

 

After his assist for Vicente, Mølby now wanted a goal for himself. The Danish starlet had an opportunity in the 51st minute, when he flicked George McCartney's cross over the bar.

 

Forest then went back on the offensive in the 55th minute, with a blistering shot from Moukoko forcing Wayne Hudson to concede a corner. Ever the talisman, Tonton took the set-piece himself - and the Swede's sweet delivery found Beli Momouni Dagano, who got above Fulham's defensive midfielder Scott Mitchell to head in an equaliser.

 

Dagano inflicted more pain on us in the 63rd minute. Fulham right-back Kevin Dawson lost track of Forest's young winger Chris Rimmer, whose cross was confidently converted by Dagano. The Burkina Faso's 20th goal of the season had turned this match on its head!

 

Even worse was to come 12 minutes from full-time. We were still stewing over a horrific miss by Paul McVeigh when Dagano went on the offensive again. Helguson headed the ball out right to the in-form 30-year-old, who skipped past Curtis Davies' lame challenge and completed a superb hat-trick. At least it was superb if you were a home fan...

 

Nottingham Forest - 3 (Dagano 56,63,78)

Fulham - 1 (Núñez 40)

Division 1, Attendance 7,778 - POSITIONS: Nottm Forest 10th, Fulham 8th

FULHAM LINE-UP (4-4-2 Diamond): Hudson; Dawson, Davies, Thatcher, McCartney; Mitchell (Danns); Gibson, Núñez; Mølby; McVeigh, Agritis (Ormerod).

 

What the hell is wrong with us?! That's SIX games without a win now, including four defeats!

 

Having fallen four points adrift of the play-off places. After another dreadful showing in defensive midfield, I refused to let Scott Mitchell back onto the team bus and told him to make his own way back home - to Ipswich. The young Scotsman's loan was cancelled with immediate effect.

 

Major changes were needed before a must-win Easter Monday home game against Millwall. Several senior players were dropped to the reserves - including Curtis Davies, who had the audacity to demand a new contract when our defence was leaking more goals than ever! I also decided to promote some more players from the academy.

 

And, in the biggest shake-up of them all… I dropped Wayne Hudson. Wayne’s understudy Jimmy Wilkinson went in goal against Millwall, who knew that a defeat at Craven Cottage would almost certainly condemn them to Division 2 for next season.

 

18 APRIL 2011: Fulham vs Millwall

Opportunity also knocked for left-winger Wayne Cable, whose fledgling career reached new heights after just 10 minutes. Brett Ormerod - a man more than twice Cable's age - threaded the ball across Millwall's penalty area to the new Welsh wizard, who blasted home his first goal in senior football! This was only his sixth game for the club!

 

The Fulham full-backs then combined to double our lead in the 22nd minute. On the left flank, captain George McCartney got to the byline and then picked out Graham Bowater, who had been restored to the starting XI ahead of loanee Kevin Dawson. Bowater swung a hopeful leg at the cross and managed to turn it beyond Adam Sullivan in the Millwall goal for 2-0.

 

Of course, we didn't make life easy for ourselves. Another clumsy Ben Thatcher foul allowed Millwall to pull one goal back in the 44th minute, when Matthew Simmonds scored from Welsh midfielder Richard Edwards' free-kick.

 

Brett Ormerod responded quickly, with a powerful header from Vicente Núñez's cross restoring our two-goal cushion ahead of the second half. Brett was playing through the pain barrier to try and win us this game - but four minutes after the restart, it all got too much. Ormerod's knee gave way as he tried to lob a Cable cross over Sullivan, and he had to be stretchered off the pitch.

 

When Nwankwo Kanu netted Millwall's second goal of the game in the 51st minute, there were serious concerns about another second-half Fulham collapse. Those fears only heightened when Cable and Paul McVeigh each wasted chances to put the game beyond doubt. Cable later picked up a knock, which led to him being replaced with the calmer, more experienced Elbekay Bouchiba.

 

I called upon another wise old head in the 84th minute, bringing on Idan Tal for right-winger Michael Gibson as my last substitute. By the 87th minute, that wise old head had gone. Tal inexplicably tripped the Lions midfielder Danny Schofield from behind, earning the Israeli a straight red card! While Millwall could not create an equaliser against our 10 men, Idan knew that his stupidity had almost cost us a first victory in seven attempts.

 

Fulham - 3 (Cable 10, Bowater 22, Ormerod 45)

Millwall - 2 (Simmonds 44, Kanu 51)

Division 1, Attendance 18,771 - POSITIONS: Fulham 7th, Millwall 23rd

FULHAM LINE-UP (4-4-2): Wilkinson; Bowater, Thatcher, Piccolo, McCartney; Gibson (Tal), Mølby, Núñez, Cable (Bouchiba); McVeigh, Ormerod (Butler). BOOKED: Thatcher. SENT OFF: Tal.

 

Unfortunately, Ormerod had twisted his knee in that match. He was ruled out for three weeks, which meant he would not play for us again this season... unless we made the play-offs.

 

One man who definitely wouldn't play for Fulham again was Idan Tal. Three minutes of madness copped the 36-year-old Israeli midfielder a three-match ban, and I informed him that his contract would not be renewed. By the end of the week, he had signed an agreement to return home and join Beitar Jerusalem for the 2011/2012 season.

 

That last victory had moved us back to within a single point of 6th-placed Birmingham - a truly strange team who had scored the most goals and also conceded the joint-most. Their last five scorelines read 3-2 vs Dagenham, 2-3 at Sunderland, 4-2 at Aston Villa, 3-2 vs Chesterfield, and 1-6 at Crewe!

 

So, what would happen on St George's Day, when we arrived at St Andrew's for the biggest match of our season so far? Could we storm back into the top six? Would Birmingham's goal machine Andy Johnson crush our dreams? Or would this be a drab nil-nil?

 

23 APRIL 2011: Birmingham City vs Fulham

Funnily enough, it was 0-0 at half-time! Birmingham had barely offered any attacking threat in the first half, while their leaky defence restricted us to a couple of low-quality shots from 18-year-old Michael Butler. This was Butler's 23rd game for Fulham, and I'm afraid that his wait for a first senior goal would have to continue.

 

Whatever Paul Lambert had said to his Birmingham players must surely have jolted them into life. Four minutes after the restart, attacking midfielder Tom Youngs unleashed a vicious shot that Jimmy Wilkinson could only tip behind for a corner. Youngs swung the corner to wide midfielder James Coppinger, whose well-taken strike broke the deadlock.

 

It only took us about four minutes to muster a reply. Having replaced an overawed Wayne Cable at half-time, Elbekay Bouchiba displayed all his creative talent to send a delightful cross up to the near post. Paul McVeigh got to the delivery ahead of Birmingham defender Claude Davis and headed in his 25th goal this season!

 

Things then got cagey for a while until the decisive moment came in the 79th minute. It didn't go our way, as captain George McCartney lost the ball deep in our half, and a first-time hit from Coppinger restored the Blues' advantage - for good. Though a late calf injury kept Andy Johnson off the scoresheet, his team had done enough to take the points.

 

Birmingham City - 2 (Coppinger 50,79)

Fulham - 1 (McVeigh 54)

Division 1, Attendance 24,551 - POSITIONS: Birmingham 6th, Fulham 8th

FULHAM LINE-UP (4-4-2): Wilkinson; Bowater, Thatcher (Mølby), Piccolo, McCartney; Gibson (Dawson), Danns, Núñez, Cable (Bouchiba); Butler, McVeigh.

 

And we've bottled it. Four points adrift with two games to play. There's surely no coming back from this.

 

There would be a major squad overhaul over the summer - but before then, we had two more matches to grind through. Our last home match was against Bristol City, who had picked up only three victories in a disastrous relegation season.

 

Meanwhile, Curtis Davies had won his first international cap for Sierra Leone in midweek, playing in a 0-0 draw against Benin. The 26-year-old came back feeling somewhat relieved, telling me, “At least I didn’t have to wait until I was 38 to make my debut!”

 

Good for you, Curtis. You’re still not getting back in the team until you back down on your wage demands.

 

30 APRIL 2011: Fulham vs Bristol City

Anestis Agritis came into the starting XI ahead of Michael Butler - and the Greek striker justified his selection after just nine minutes. Agritis skilfully chested a right-wing cross from Michael Gibson, and then lashed in a brilliant volley to take his season goal tally up to 10!

 

Our shot count in this match would also reach double figures, as Gibson and co dominated the midfield battles and created loads of opportunities. Unfortunately, neither the scoreboard nor David McEwan would budge - City's Scotland international becoming the latest opposition goalkeeper to play a blinder against us.

 

Whatever we tried, none of our attackers could not add to Agritis' early opener - not even Anestis himself, who was denied by McEwan in the 71st minute. Luckily for us, City's own attacking players were completely out of it; perhaps they were just desperate for their miserable season to be over. That gave Wayne Hudson the easiest of clean sheets on his return to action, having being benched for the last two games.

 

Fulham - 1 (Agritis 9)

Bristol City - 0

Division 1, Attendance 10,985 - POSITIONS: Fulham 7th, Bristol City 24th

FULHAM LINE-UP (4-4-2): Hudson; Bowater (Dawson), Svensson, Piccolo, McCartney; Gibson, Mølby (Danns), Núñez, Bouchiba; Agritis, McVeigh (Butler). BOOKED: Bowater.

 

Another win, but it just goes to show how utterly dreadful we've been this month that we can barely beat Bristol City and Millwall - the two worst teams in the division - by a single goal at home.

 

As disappointed as I was, though, results elsewhere gave me hope. Birmingham had only managed a 2-2 draw at Preston, which meant that we had closed the gap on 6th place to just two points going into the final day.

 

If we were to sneak into the play-offs, we would need to defeat 4th-placed Grimsby at Blundell Park on the final day - and also hope that Birmingham could not win against mid-table Huddersfield.

 

Although our destiny was out of our hands, the Fulham play-off dream was not dead. Yet.

Edited March 28 by CFuller

[CFuller]

DIVISION 1 TABLE (End of April 2011)

Pos     Team                            Pld  Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Pts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st  C  Crewe                           45   18   3    2    51   19   9    4    9    27   29   88   
2nd  P  Torquay                         45   16   4    2    48   19   8    6    9    32   36   82   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd  Pl Charlton                        45   10   9    4    32   17   10   9    3    25   16   78   
4th  Pl Swindon                         45   15   4    4    34   16   7    7    8    30   29   77   
5th     Grimsby                         45   13   7    2    39   18   7    8    8    24   24   75   
6th     Birmingham                      45   14   2    6    45   33   9    3    11   52   61   74   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7th     Fulham                          45   14   4    5    37   22   7    5    10   30   34   72   
8th     West Ham                        45   11   8    3    27   14   7    8    8    21   20   70   
9th     Preston                         45   16   4    3    47   25   5    3    14   18   39   70   
10th    Notts Co                        45   13   5    5    44   25   7    4    11   33   42   69   
11th    Huddersfield                    45   10   5    8    29   24   8    9    5    23   19   68   
12th    Chesterfield                    45   11   5    7    35   25   8    6    8    37   44   68   
13th    Nottm Forest                    45   16   1    5    50   33   5    4    14   27   46   68   
14th    Sheff Utd                       45   13   4    5    55   35   6    6    11   33   43   67   
15th    Norwich                         45   14   3    5    50   29   5    4    14   30   52   64   
16th    Tottenham                       45   14   3    5    44   24   4    6    13   30   44   63   
17th    W.B.A.                          45   10   4    8    39   35   6    6    11   24   32   58   
18th    Kidderminster                   45   10   7    5    29   18   4    2    17   21   42   51   
19th    Sunderland                      45   9    8    6    25   20   4    3    15   15   30   50   
20th    Aston Villa                     45   9    6    8    36   37   3    6    13   22   37   48   
21st    Carlisle                        45   12   6    5    45   32   0    3    19   10   56   45   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22nd    Dag & Red                       45   6    11   6    14   13   3    4    15   13   28   42   
23rd R  Millwall                        45   8    6    8    29   27   0    6    17   15   46   36   
24th R  Bristol City                    45   2    4    16   17   41   1    1    21   9    52   14   

 

ELSEWHERE IN FOOTBALL...

• After being voted PFA Player of the Year, Cristiano Ronaldo takes his game to another level. Five goals in five league games from the Portuguese superstar fire Chelsea to the top of the Premiership against an out-of-sorts Manchester United, whom they also defeat 3-1 in the FA Cup Semi Final. Ronaldo sets the tone for a thrilling Blues by swerving a long-range free-kick past United keeper Alan Leach after just two minutes.
• Newcastle's hopes of winning a first major trophy since 1969 are raised when Nigeria winger Uche Aikhomogbe gives them an early lead against Bolton in the League Cup Final. Bruce Grobbelaar's young Trotters soon fight back, as 19-year-old Jimmy Hill chins in an equaliser before 17-year-old attacking midfielder John Gray scores the winner. Despite losing Wales striker Robert Earnshaw to a red card, Bolton are the first team to successfully defend the League Cup since Nottingham Forest in 1990.
• As well as battling for the Bundesliga title, Dortmund and VfB Stuttgart are drawn against each other in the Champions League Semi Finals. Defending champs Barcelona fight back against Arsenal to reach the last four, where they face Celtic's conquerors Chelsea.
• Just two days after defeating Paris-SG 2-0 to win the Coupe de la Ligue, Nantes are crowned Ligue 1 champions with three games to spare after Marseille's surprise 2-1 loss at Nîmes. The Canaries will go for an unprecedented French domestic treble next month, when they face Ligue 2 side Grenoble in the Coupe de France Final.
• Despite some valiant displays in their first ever Serie A season, Fiorenzuola - managed by Argentina legend Mario Alberto Kempes - are relegated after a 4-0 loss to Lazio. Spain international Alberto Teixeira scores all four goals for the Biancocelesti, who are just two points behind leaders Roma as another eternal scudetto battle intensifies.

 

IN OTHER NEWS...

• Over a billion people worldwide watch the United Kingdom's biggest royal wedding in nearly 30 years, as Prince William of Wales marries his university sweetheart Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey. Daily Mail readers are left flabbergasted when they discover that Kate's sister Pippa has a backside.
• India win the men's Cricket World Cup for the first time since 1983, doing so in front of their home fans in Mumbai. Captain MS Dhoni hits the winning runs in the Final against Sri Lanka as the cricket-mad nation goes batty.
• The UK's Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls tries to search for his name Ed Balls on Twitter, but accidentally sends a tweet that reads, "Ed Balls." Labour Party politician Ed Balls also forgets to delete his Ed Balls tweet before it is shared by thousands across the Internet. From this moment on, 28 April is celebrated as Ed Balls Day. Ed Balls.

[CFuller]

MAY 2011

[Sigh] We only had ourselves to blame for this.

 

If we had beaten Birmingham on 23 April, we would not have been in this situation. If we hadn’t broken down at Carlisle in the first half and at Nottingham Forest in the second half, we would not have been in this situation.

 

But here we were. It was the final day of the Division 1 season, and our hopes of making the Division 1 play-offs were out of our hands.

 

Firstly, we needed to beat Grimsby at Blundell Park - a venue where the 4th-placed Mariners had lost twice in the league all season. More importantly, we needed to pray that Birmingham did not win at home to Huddersfield, in which case we would leapfrog the Blues by a single point.

 

Of course, there was the possibility that we could overtake Grimsby on goal difference without needing Huddersfield to do us a favour. But as Grimsby's goal difference was +21 and ours was +11, that would require us to beat the Mariners by FIVE goals. To put that into context, the most goals Town had conceded in a single match this season was three.

 

And though events at Plainmoor had no bearing on Fulham's season, I would also be looking out for the final score from that match. This would be a promotion party for Chris Kamara's Torquay, who were celebrating bringing Premiership football to Devon for the very first time.

 

Torquay's final visitors this season were Dagenham & Redbridge. My former club needed to win, otherwise they would be relegated from Division 1, half a decade after I took them up. In order to overtake Carlisle and stay up, the Daggers would also need the Cumbrians to lose at Millwall, who had already gone down.

 

But back to Blundell Park, and our job at hand. The only teams to have beaten Grimsby at home this season were Swindon and Charlton, both of whom liked to play narrow formations that packed the midfield. Bearing that in mind, I started this match with a 4-4-2 diamond - a diamond that included three midfielders under the age of 21. It was time for our young guns to go for it.

 

8 MAY 2011: Grimsby Town vs Fulham

In a match we quite literally had to win, we couldn't have got off to a worse start. Grimsby were just as desperate to rubber-stamp their play-off place, and they were off the mark after just three minutes. Midfield talisman Jonathan Greening lifted the ball into our box for Mariners captain Jonathan Rowan, whose knockdown was finished by Gary Fisken.

 

Five minutes later, it was Fisken who headed the ball down for Rowan to have a pop at goal. Though Wayne Hudson did his best to try and keep it out, he was helpless once the Dutch attacking midfielder Dominique van Dijk pounced on the rebound. With eight minutes gone, we were already 2-0 behind.

 

With the pressure well and truly on, Tom Mølby stepped up to try and produce some magic. Spearheading our first attack of the match after 14 minutes, the teenage playmaker delivered a magnificent centre to Anestis Agritis, whose header pulled us back to within one goal.

 

For the next half-hour, though, the momentum swung back to Grimsby, who almost overwhelmed a shaky Fulham defence. We were quite fortunate that Rowan was wasteful in front of goal, while his strike partner Jason Jenkins cannoned a 29th-minute shot off the bar. The Mariners still led 2-1 at the break, but it could have been a whole lot worse for us.

 

Though we were struggling to get the win we needed, Huddersfield were at least doing us a favour at St Andrew's. Gavin Holligan had given the Terriers a 1-0 lead over Birmingham, which meant that we would go into the play-offs IF we could overturn Grimsby in the second half.

 

After Jenkins spurned a couple more opportunities for Grimsby, things got really interesting in the 68th minute. Michael Gibson lined up a free-kick close to the home goal and lofted the ball up to Mølby. Tom had a very muscular frame, and he proved too strong for Andy Paxton, heading Gibson's delivery past the Town keeper. At 2-2, we now knew that one more goal would change everything.

 

A minute later, one goal did change everything. Greening immediately went back on the attack for Grimsby, dribbling past Fulham centre-back Walter Piccolo before playing in Jenkins, who had evaded a challenge from our other central defender Bo Svensson. As Bo crumpled to the turf, Jenkins thundered the ball home, restoring the Mariners' lead.

 

Svensson had put his body on the line to try and stop Jenkins - and in doing so, the Danish international had suffered a shin injury that brought his game to an end. Icelandic youngster Halldór Magnusson had to take his place for the final 20 minutes, in which we needed to score TWO more goals to get into the play-offs.

 

We also needed Huddersfield to hold firm and avoid defeat. When we heard in the 78th minute that Birmingham had broken through their defence and equalised, some Fulham fans were perhaps fearing the worst.

 

We went all-out to try and grab the win, even throwing on a third striker in Michael Butler. The luckless teenager was denied an 87th-minute leveller by Paxton, who then produced similar heroics to thwart Mølby. But it was eventually third time lucky from that attack, as Paul McVeigh (who else?) fired the rebound in off the post. With three minutes to go, it was 3-3 - and we needed just one more goal!

 

Though we gave it everything in the closing stages, Grimsby shut up shop for the closing stages, refusing to allow us even another sniff at goal. When the final whistle blew with the scores still level, the Fulham players slumped to their knees in agony. Despite only managing a 1-1 draw against Huddersfield, Birmingham had beaten our brave Cottagers to the last play-off place by just two points.

 

Grimsby Town - 3 (Fisken 3, van Dijk 8, Jenkins 69)

Fulham - 3 (Agritis 14, Mølby 68, McVeigh 87)

Division 1, Attendance 8,769 - POSITIONS: Grimsby 5th, Fulham 8th

FULHAM LINE-UP (4-4-2 Diamond): Hudson; Bowater, Svensson (Magnusson), Piccolo, McCartney; Núñez (Butler); Gibson, Danns (McDonald); Mølby; Agritis, McVeigh.

 

So near, yet so far. Too many defensive mistakes had come back to bite us.

 

This was the seventh match of our last ten in which we had conceded at least twice. During that run, the Fulham goalkeeper had to retrieve the ball from his net 19 times. You cannot hope to be promoted with such a leaky defence.

 

It was hard to fault our regular goalie Wayne Hudson or his backup Jimmy Wilkinson, who had each shown great determination between the posts. Our main problem was that we were giving up so many chances to the opposition - and that our defence was, to misquote Paul Simon, too soft in the middle.

 

Walter Piccolo was a great ball-playing defender with great tackling skills, but his inability to win headers was becoming a regular issue. The 23-year-old Italian had played over 100 games for Fulham and was undoubtedly a fine talent - but I was now starting to wonder if his abilities would be best used as a defensive midfielder, rather than as a stopper.

 

There were question marks over our other centre-backs too. The experienced pair of Ben Thatcher and Bo Svensson were respectively too volatile and too inconsistent to be relied upon on a regular basis. There was now a case for Curtis Davies being the best central defender at the club - but Curtis' future was up in the air, because although I was now willing to discuss a new contract with him, his wage demands were too high.

 

We might also have problems up front. Though Paul McVeigh scored an impressive 24 league goals this season, he was the only Fulham player to reach double figures - with Brett Ormerod and Anestis Agritis each falling one short.

 

McVeigh is now 33 and will soon enter the final season of his £30,000-per-week contract. This makes it even more imperative that our younger attacking talents step up sooner rather than later.

 

But I also think that we should take stock and put things into perspective. As poor as our finish to the season was, there was little doubt in my mind that this Fulham team was heading in the right direction again.

 

In 28 league matches, we had taken 45 points - and we had won nine of our 14 home fixtures. We just need to become more reliable on the road and find a way to stop conceding soft goals, and then our next play-off push will hopefully be more successful.

 

Unfortunately, the future does not look quite so rosy for my former clubs.

 

Since my departure, Kidderminster have picked up just 24 goals and 21 goals from their last 28 league games. Only Bristol City had a worse record over that space of time. This slump saw the Harriers fall from 13th to 19th, and although relegation was never an issue this season, it appears that Tony Adams has a huge battle on his hands to keep them up next term.

 

As for Dagenham & Redbridge... I'm afraid there was no great escape. The Daggers couldn't muster a single shot on target at Plainmoor, where a 0-0 draw against Torquay condemned them to Division 2. Sad times.

[CFuller]

DIVISION 1 TABLE (End of 2010/2011 season)

Pos     Team                            Pld  Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Won  Drn  Lst  For  Ag   Pts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st  C  Crewe                           46   18   3    2    51   19   9    4    10   27   33   88   
2nd  P  Torquay                         46   16   5    2    48   19   8    6    9    32   36   83   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd     Charlton                        46   10   9    4    32   17   11   9    3    27   16   81   
4th     Swindon                         46   15   4    4    34   16   7    8    8    31   30   78   
5th  P  Grimsby                         46   13   8    2    42   21   7    8    8    24   24   76   
6th     Birmingham                      46   14   3    6    46   34   9    3    11   52   61   75   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7th     West Ham                        46   12   8    3    31   14   7    8    8    21   20   73   
8th     Fulham                          46   14   4    5    37   22   7    6    10   33   37   73   
9th     Notts Co                        46   13   5    5    44   25   8    4    11   37   43   72   
10th    Sheff Utd                       46   14   4    5    59   36   6    6    11   33   43   70   
11th    Preston                         46   16   4    3    47   25   5    3    15   18   40   70   
12th    Huddersfield                    46   10   5    8    29   24   8    10   5    24   20   69   
13th    Nottm Forest                    46   16   2    5    51   34   5    4    14   27   46   69   
14th    Chesterfield                    46   11   5    7    35   25   8    6    9    38   48   68   
15th    Norwich                         46   14   4    5    52   31   5    4    14   30   52   65   
16th    Tottenham                       46   14   3    6    45   28   4    6    13   30   44   63   
17th    W.B.A.                          46   11   4    8    41   36   6    6    11   24   32   61   
18th    Sunderland                      46   9    8    6    25   20   4    4    15   17   32   51   
19th    Kidderminster                   46   10   7    6    29   20   4    2    17   21   42   51   
20th    Aston Villa                     46   9    6    8    36   37   3    6    14   23   39   48   
21st    Carlisle                        46   12   6    5    45   32   0    3    20   11   58   45   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22nd R  Dag & Red                       46   6    11   6    14   13   3    5    15   13   28   43   
23rd R  Millwall                        46   9    6    8    31   28   0    6    17   15   46   39   
24th R  Bristol City                    46   3    4    16   18   41   1    1    21   9    52   17   

 

ELSEWHERE IN FOOTBALL...

• Dortmund overcome VfB Stuttgart in the Champions League Semi Finals - and then pip them to the Bundesliga title by two points - before ending their season in style at Wembley. The Final against Barcelona is locked at 1-1 until the 37th minute, when Barça goalkeeper Pepe Reina is sent off for a reckless professional foul on Tomas Rosicky. Dani Alves converts the penalty for BVB, who become the first German team in a decade to lift the European Cup!
• George Burley's Ipswich stun hot favourites Chelsea 2-0 at Wembley to win the FA Cup. A 27th-minute Christian Hanson own goal and an 80th-minute screamer from midfielder Gjermund Borger Hansen earns the Tractor Boys their first major trophy in 33 years. Though Yakubu Aiyegbeni missed a penalty for Ipswich early in the second half, he is all smiles at full-time.
• Chelsea meet Ipswich again four days later - and this time, it is Jean Tigana's Blues who prevail. Cristiano Ronaldo scores a brace as Chelsea win 3-1 to regain the Premiership title ahead of Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester United. Dethroned champs Arsenal limp home in 6th, while Manchester City are relegated, alongside Wolves and Blackburn.
• Despite losing the Ligue 1 title to Nantes, Marseille lift their second UEFA Cup in three years, seeing off Atalanta 2-0 in Amsterdam. Atalanta won't be in Europe at all next season after finishing 8th in Serie A, which is won by Roma for the first time since 2006. The Giallorossi reap the benefits of developing homegrown talent, as 22-year-olds Sergio Zani and Marco Capuano finish with the league's most goals and most assists respectively.
• Barcelona follow up their Champions League heartache with a shock defeat to Segunda División side Oviedo in the Copa del Rey Final. Former Mallorca forward Albert Luque scores an extra-time winner for Los Azules, who return to La Liga next season. There were no such problems for Nantes, who see off Grenoble 1-0 in the Coupe de France Final and complete a French treble.

 

IN OTHER NEWS...

• US President Barack Obama announces to the world that Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden has been killed in an American military operation in Abbotabad, Pakistan. The 54-year-old became the world's most wanted man after masterminding the September 11 attacks in 2001.
• As the British electorate decides against adopting an alternative voting system, an even more significant vote takes place north of the border. For the first time, the Scottish National Party win an overall majority of seats in Scotland's parliamentary elections, raising the prospect of an independence referendum by 2014.
• “The Oprah Winfrey Show” ends its 25-year run on US television, with Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and Beyoncé among its final guests. Oprah says she is retiring her chat show because she has run out of cars to give away.

[CFuller]

FULHAM PLAYER STATISTICS (2010/2011 - from 22 November 2010)

Goalkeepers                    Apps     Con    Asts   Yel    Red    MoM    Av R
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14  Hudson, Wayne              24       34     0      0      1      0      7.17   
1   Wilkinson, Jimmy           5 (1)    8      0      0      0      0      7.33   

Outfield Players               Apps     Gls    Asts   Yel    Red    MoM    Av R
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10  Agritis, Anestis           9 (5)    4      0      0      0      1      7.08   
20  Bouchiba, Elbekay          21 (4)   1      6      2      0      2      6.99   
2   Bowater, Graham            22 (1)   2      2      1      0      1      7.18   
24  Brough, Scott              8 (6)    2      4      0      0      0      7.01   
17  Butler, Michael            2 (5)    0      0      0      0      0      6.42   
32  Cable, Wayne               4 (3)    1      0      0      0      0      6.57   
8   Danns, Neil                19 (4)   1      1      0      0      0      6.70   
18  Davies, Curtis             14 (3)   0      0      2      0      1      7.12   
19  Dawson, Kevin              7 (2)    0      0      0      0      0      7.00   
13  Gibson, Michael            12 (6)   2      5      0      0      1      6.67   
33  Magnusson, Halldór         1 (3)    0      0      0      0      0      7.00   
15  McCartney, George          25 (1)   1      4      1      1      1      7.22   
26  McDonald, Gary             13 (2)   1      1      0      0      0      6.47   
9   McVeigh, Paul              25 (2)   14     2      1      0      5      7.44   
*   Mitchell, Scott            10       0      1      2      0      0      6.70   
28  Mølby, Tom                 13 (11)  3      6      1      0      0      6.54   
*   Myntti, Henri              3        0      0      1      1      0      7.03   
22  Núñez, Vicente             12 (2)   1      3      0      0      0      6.93   
11  Ormerod, Brett             17 (1)   9      1      0      0      4      7.11   
4   Piccolo, Walter            21 (2)   0      0      5      0      0      6.90   
31  Proffitt, Nigel            3 (5)    0      0      0      0      0      6.25   
*   Richards, Dane             6 (1)    0      2      1      0      0      6.99   
36  Richardson, Stephen        0 (2)    0      0      0      0      0      6.50   
21  Svensson, Bo               14 (2)   1      0      3      0      0      6.75   
29  Tal, Idan                  5 (4)    0      0      0      1      0      6.77   
3   Thatcher, Ben              8 (1)    0      1      3      1      0      7.00   

* [Player not currently at club]

[Vossenoren]

Ah, shame, it was looking so good for a minute there. Hopefully this coming season you'll win the Championship. Perhaps you could convince van der Sar to come back and help you in goal? At this point he's only in his 40s

(Vd Sar is the reason I will always have a soft spot for Fulham)

[EvilDave]

Grimsby in the top flight is a stroke of FM genius, let alone getting there alongside Crewe and Torquay. Free fish and chips for life for all involved!

This is a brilliant read as ever, Chris, and I don't see it being long before you make it up as well. Sort that Fulham defence out and it looks like you've got the makings of a promotion campaign ready to go!

[CFuller]

On 25/10/2023 at 12:44, Vossenoren said:

Ah, shame, it was looking so good for a minute there. Hopefully this coming season you'll win the Championship. Perhaps you could convince van der Sar to come back and help you in goal? At this point he's only in his 40s

(Vd Sar is the reason I will always have a soft spot for Fulham)

Yeah, I think we've got a good chance of getting promoted from the Championship - or Division 1, or the First Division, or whatever we're gonna call this league now. 

Unfortunately, Edwin van der Sar is long gone (apparently, he retired in 2008 at Wrexham ). I'm not sure I need another goalkeeper anyway when Hudson and Wilkinson have done so well.

[CFuller]

On 26/10/2023 at 10:26, EvilDave said:

Grimsby in the top flight is a stroke of FM genius, let alone getting there alongside Crewe and Torquay. Free fish and chips for life for all involved!

This is a brilliant read as ever, Chris, and I don't see it being long before you make it up as well. Sort that Fulham defence out and it looks like you've got the makings of a promotion campaign ready to go!

I thought you'd enjoy Grimsby's success, Dave.  Grimsby seem to do very well on most of my CM3-era saves - I even have a CM00/01 save where they won the Champions League. Not sure Roy Evans can take this Mariners team that far, mind!

As with my previous reply, we've certainly got a good chance of getting promoted soon. Our defence definitely needs sorting out first, but I'm on it...