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New Mills Vets
5 a side
football at the
Leisure Centre
17:30 - 19:00
every Sunday
evening.
Come and join us,
all you need is a
pair of trainers and
a dodgy kit and you're
up and gasping.
Just in case you are the slightest bit interested, I have archived the
previous Vets News Pages from January 2001. It's quite interesting
to look back on a few of the events that have occurred during our past
games, some of them amusing and some of them downright sad. Click the
button at the top.
Check out
this boy to see how easy it is to control a ball.
He can Kick it
The Vets Sunday Night Match Reports
4th February 2007 : February already, if only time moved at the same
pace as some of the vets I for one would be a
damn site happier. Time seems to be flying by and it came as quite a
surprise today when flicking through a few of
the old Zines that we have been playing at the Leisure Centre for
18½ years. Well not quite all of us but, for John Goodwin,
Keith Mastin and myself we've been there from the beginning
and will continue to keep the old bodies mobile. With three
teams tonight it was fitting that the three of us were in different
sides, I was with Matt, Proudy and Rick Pott while John stuck with
fellow Mary's Moaners Scouse Ron, Bryn and Martin with Zsu Zsu
Mastin heading the third side with Bud Jackson, Paul Garner, Paul
Dennis and Ian Lemonzic. I was well chuffed as my team ripped into
the opposition with a vengeance. Matt was in sizzling form early
doors with Proudy and Rick revelling in the pacy action. Not until
later did we flag when it looked like an unbeaten night was on the
cards. With three losses on the night though we still just about
shaded the honours. Ian Lemonzic "Disley" (I must ask him where that
nick name came from) came out of exile for his first appearance
since last May. The long break was evident though as the lad
struggled to handle the vets pace and spent most of the games in his
own half defending, much to the relief of the opposing goalkeepers.
Bryn and Scouse Ron teamed up for the first time in a long while and
if Ron could shake off some niggling little problems left over from
his knee injuries, the Mary's Moaners would once again become a force
to be reckoned with. Good turn out again this evening in spite of
the usual Man Uni£ed match on Sky as an alternative so it's onwards
towards that next milestone of 19 years on June 26th. And finally an
email from Proudy - As you all know the shock result announced that
Manchester has been granted the right to build a super casino at
Eastland's ahead of bids from Blackpool and London. The reason it
has been disclosed is purely economical as the casino will provide
the Roulette, Fruit Machines, Black Jack and Poker Games, whilst the
Crap Games will remain in the Man City stadium next door! Not
wrong Keith.......
11th February 2007 : Three teams
again tonight, Bryn, John, Keith Mastin, Disley and Kevin English
for the Mary's Moaners - Dan, Paul Garner, Richard Evans, Nigel and
Bud Jackson making up the second squad with Keith Proudfoot, Steve
Hart, Chris, myself and Rick Pott making up the third team. The
standard of football tonight was pretty good and I think all the
lads rightly came away feeling they had put in a decent show. Mary's
Moaners came out on top completing the night with only a couple of
losses. Paul and Richard linked well for their team taking on the
main responsibility for putting the ball in the net. Mary's Moaners
played as a tight unit all night, Disley slotted in nicely but it
was Zsu Zsu's calm play that paved the way for their overall
success. I was delighted to score my first, and only, goal tonight
to break my scoreless streak which was stretching into the second
week. I need to spend less effort controlling the ball and more
effort in controlling my food input me thinks. Goal of the night was
down to Proudy who channelled all his frustration at not getting a
cert free kick into a pile driver of a volley just seconds later.
From just inside his own half, the ball flew like a missile straight
into the top right hand corner of the net. Steve Hart and Chris also
found their scoring touch especially later on when we at last dented
Mary's Moaners unbeaten run. Rick Potts has fitted into the vets
nights very nicely and can now be accepted as a regular, must check
out which team he supports. While on the subject of vets favourite
teams, Nigel turned out in a gross Man Uni£ed shirt this evening to
join the ranks of non Manchester vets to support the dark side from
Trafford. Myself, Chris, Mooro and Martin are all Mancs and
naturally follow Manchester's finest.
It was particularly pleasing to get fifteen vets down tonight as we
still have a number of regular absentees. Steve Gerrard has gone
walkabouts while Karl English has strained his Cruciate Ligament,
Robbie, Martin, Scouse Ron and Matt could all appear next week.
18th February 2007 : After watching
City cruise into the Quarter Finals of the FA Cup this afternoon I
fully expected a seriously big turnout at the Leisure Centre for the
5 a side Vets footy. After all there were no more alternative
matches of any interest to be played, it wasn't Mothers Day and
Valentines' Day was on Thursday. West Brom got a result at
Middlesbrough so surely Robbie would be there but no, just eleven
souls managed to drag themselves off their couches for the weekly
thrash. Chris, John, Dan, Keith Mastin, Paul Garner, Bryn, Bud,
Matt, Rick, Martin and myself still managed to make a decent enough
night of it though, rotating the teams Scouse Ron style. It did take
on a
reasonably
light hearted tone although the tackles were flying in when needed.
John was on the end of a few "good 'uns" but to his credit didn't
seek retribution although as we all know, they could well come next
week after he's had a think about it. Man flew around like a mad
thing but has got into the habit of trying to destroy the nets
instead of his usual reliable finishing subsequently ending up
threatening the basket ball hoop rather than the goal. Goals of the
night were both long rangers with Bryn curling one in from the kick
off (past an unsighted keeper, well I didn't see it 'til very late)
and Paul from further back still battering one into the top corner.
Chris had another good night and I doubled my scoring tally from
last week. Martin's non smoking is paying off as he now manages to
complete at least half an hour before turning green. Watching the FA
Cup this week it is noticeable that the huff puff bish bash style of
football is now permeating our game at the professional level more
than ever. As I said to Zsu Zsu tonight, if the skill goes out of
our game me and you are finished. As Keith enters his 60th year we
are running out of time to pass on our own silky playmaking skills
to the lesser mortals around us. While on the subject of Keith, it's
about time the old git sorted out a date for the next EGM and
combined Christmas do..... come on Mastin get yourself into gear.
Tonight's
Teams
Bryn
Meredith
John Goodwin
Keith Mastin
Martin Wilde
Bud Jackson
Matt Pink
Richard Evans
Dan Bolton
Malc Stubbs
Paul Garner
Keith Proudfoot
Chris Anthony
Steve Hart
Paul Dennis
Malc Hough
Nigel Caldwell
February 25th 2007 :
The League Cup Final thankfully finished without extra
time today ensuring the lads had no excuse for being
late. It turned out that most of them didn't bother
watching it which was a shame because it was a really
good match for a change with Arsenal giving Chelsea a
good run for their money with their reserve team. The
mass brawl at the end only added to what was probably
the best final for years even if it was between
basically a bunch of foreigners and four English blokes.
Unlike the Premier League teams the vets don't have to
rely on cheap foreign imports, other than our resident
Jocko of course who turned in a fine performance tonight
at the Leisure Centre. Sixteen players meant that
Proudy's team had to play with a squad of six which left
me waiting 35 minutes before I actually got a game in
the outfield. Not ideal but we coped. Matt's team set
off really well and at one point it looked like they may
actually be the first team in all the years to win all
their games. Packed with all the young guns they took
some stopping but Mary's moaners eventually did it with
a great team effort that left them all exhausted as they
trooped off the pitch looking well pleased with
themselves. After that it became an even contest with
all three teams having their moments in a most enjoyable
nights football. Whilst the goals flowed thick and fast
a quite portly looking Bryn Meredith had to wait until
near the hour mark to net his first goal of the night,
the second arriving fifteen minutes later. Most unusual
for the vets most prolific marksman over the last few
years. I had the embarrassment of netting two own goals
on the night which raised more than a smile or three.
Too many good performances from the lads to mention
individually so lets keep up the good standard set
tonight and have more of the same next week.
Tonight's
Teams
Mary's Moaners:
Bryn
Meredith
John Goodwin
Keith Mastin
Martin Wilde
Bud Jackson
Matt Pink
Richard Evans
Dan Bolton
Rick Potts
Paul Garner
Keith Proudfoot
Chris Anthony
Karl English
Malc Hough
Sunday 4th March 2007
: After watching City yesterday put on another
absolutely awful excuse for a football match in a
successful attempt to join the relegation
contenders it was good to get down to the Leisure Centre
and be part of an exceptionally fine 90 minutes of 5 a
side football. The passion missing from my favourite
team at the moment was there in abundance as the lads
stretched themselves to the limits. Matt's team started
off in awesome form with goals flying in from
everywhere. Matt was firing on all cylinders and running
us ragged and his team mates supported him superbly.
Would this be the night that a team actually was good
enough to win all the games, it looked like it from the
balcony. After four wins on the trot
Proudy's team hit form against them and a draw looked on
the cards until I miss hit a free kick which bounced
straight back to me and I fired a speculative shot into
the net for a late winner to stop their gallop.
Surprisingly this win inspired the Mary's Moaners who
started to put things together themselves with Martin
and Bryn both scoring some pretty spectacular goals. In
fairness on the night the Moaners just about shaded the
honours although all the teams still had their moments.
Rick Potts had a bad tumble when in typical style he
refused to give up a lost cause and attempted to fire
the ball across while off balance and travelling at
breakneck speed. He went arse over tit and slid into the
wall head first in what could have been a John Terry
moment. Thankfully the lad dusted his self down and
carried on regardless. John also had a superb lost
cause moment when he chased Matt around the pitch
finally snatching the ball from him and drilling in the
goal of the night from his own half bringing out a wry
smile from our paramedic. Sadly like the League Cup
final last week the evening was marred, this time by one
of the worst outbursts of foul and abusive attacks on a
referee I have witnessed since we started the vets
sessions nearly 20 years ago. Suffice to say I hope the
player involved reflects on his vile behaviour witnessed
by children on the balcony and resolves to avoid any
repetition in the future. A real shame for what
otherwise was a brilliant night's football. Enough said!
Injury news reaches me from Hayfield where Stevie
Gerrard is nursing a damaged ankle and Tony, the Ipswich
fan who graced the Leisure Centre for a while is now
concentrating on bulking up his frame with Sunday
dinners and copious amounts of Boddingtons rendering
himself incapable of adding to his many appearances.
Having said that it doesn't seem to affect most of the
lads who still appear every week. Robbie has had knee
surgery which with any luck will restore the
balance which so often affects his goal scoring
attempts.
Great to see Karl back a lot earlier than we expected
and looking pretty good after his Cruciate problems.
Tonight's
Teams
Malc
Hough
Keith Mastin
Chris Anthony
Paul Garner
Richard Evans
Dan Bolton
Nigel Caldwell
Rick Potts
Matt Pink
Sunday 11th March
2007: A poor turnout tonight with three FA CUP games liveon TV I suppose we were bound to be affected.
Proudy no doubt pleased as punch to see his Rovers turf
City out of the cup with very little difficulty on his
trip to Ewood Park today. Still we made a decent enough
fist of it
starting with a four a side session which was as even as
you could possibly get. After thirty minutes Matt
arrived late and the scores were still level. We
restarted with our usual rotational system which worked
quite well. No benches meant a pretty free scoring night
with all players netting their fair share. Four a side
is a doddle for Matt with all that space to run into
but, tonight he kept a reign on his scoring and settled
for playmaking instead. He must have been watching Zsu
Zsu and myself as he took to it like a New Mills man in
a pub, setting up chance after chance. Nigel and Rick
Pott both had busy nights, Nigel in particular was
tackling as well as I've seen him. I have to admit Chris
and myself were pretty done in during the final game
after a long nights football, there is definitely
nowhere to hide in four a side so we had to hold our
hands up and watch as the younger players ran riot.
Getting back to the football I'm not looking forward to
my trip to the COMSTAD on Wednesday night when Chelsea
come to town. Thirty five quid to watch City get a good
gubbing is no joke, that's seven weeks subs for the vets
and I know where the better value is..... and that
doesn't include my pre match Chicken Balti Pie, pint of
Boddies in a plastic glass and a programme, that's
another eight quid on top. And they wonder why crowds
are falling!!
Tonight's
Teams
Malc
Hough
Keith Proudfoot
Chris Anthony
Steve Hart
John Goodwin
Bryn Meredith
Martin Wilde
Tony Moore
Matt Pink
Paul Garner
Keith Mastin
Richard Evans
Rick Potts
Sunday 18th March 2007: Seeing City win yesterday lifted
the spirits although with my fifth grandchild, Megan
being born in Blackpool on Monday (another Lancastrian)
it was one of my better weeks. Tonight's five a side was
all the more exciting with the arrival of old Mooro who
is the oldest vet still playing with us. Mooro of course
like myself, Keith Mastin and John Goodwin are all
original members who played in the first ever session at
the Leisure Centre way back in the last century. Tony
Moore certainly wasn't down to make up the numbers,
playing in his old role as deep lying moaner he had a
superb night showing many of his old skills and whacking
in a couple of classic goals. Well played Tony and
here's to many more appearances. Mary's Moaners were the
top team on the night mainly due to poaching Matt Pink
to replace Keith Zsu Zsu Mastin. Matt had a blinder
tonight setting the bench mark for us all to follow. A
keen eye for goal, energy to burn and frightening pace
was all too much for the rest of us this evening as he
hit goals from every angle known to man. Richard Evans
was the only player to match Matt's pace and in fairness
on another night would have grabbed that elusive player
of the week tag. To be fair Richards team had a decent
enough night, Zsu Zsu was always busy, Paul and Rick
foraged away but Mary's Moaners always had the edge
until my team slipped into gear on the hour mark and
brought their unbeaten run to an end with a tidy 4-1
win. Overall though my team underperformed all evening
with poor passing only matched by our level of shooting
as Chris said afterwards, we weren't fit to wear the
bibs...
Bryn was back from a holiday in St Lucia, one of the
Windward Islands of the Lesser Antilles, looking like
he'd taken full advantage of the fine Caribbean cuisine
on offer as he wobbled around the pitch this evening.
Following Bryn's example of luxury Island holidays,
Keith Mastin is taking his family on a no expense spared
trip to that idyllic Isle in the sun, Anglesey next
week. That boy certainly knows how to push the boat out.
Tonight's
Teams
Bryn Meredith
John Goodwin
Martin Wilde
Ron Buttery
Tony Moore
Matt Pink
Paul Garner
Richard Evans
Nigel Caldwell
Rick Pott
Keith Proudfoot
Malc Hough
Paul Dennis
Bud Jackson
Kevin English
Sunday 25th March 2007 :
The luxury of three full teams tonight and a bright
ninety minutes of five
a side football as usual played in good spirit
throughout. Mary's Moaners fielded a full squad for the
first time in quite a while when Scouse Ron returned
from injury bandaged up like an Egyptian Mummy. It's
been a long road to recovery for the aging Evertonian
and sensibly he wasn't going to
risk any set backs by over exerting himself or possibly
nothings changed!! Overall the Moaners did extremely
well this evening although wins were at a Premium but
chances were created and the post intervened at the most
untimely moments. Martin and John both pulled out good
performances while Tony continues his impressive
comeback as the senior vet.
Proudy's team was depleted tonight but with Bud, Paul
Dennis & Kevin English joining myself and Keith we
turned out to be the team to beat on the night. Keith
rediscovered his scoring touch but goals from all round
just gave us the edge in some pretty tight games. Losing
only two games all night made a pleasant change for me
and victories against Matt's side were all the sweeter.
We actually stopped Matt scoring in all but one game
tonight which is no mean feat . Matt's team had a decent
enough night with himself, Paul Garner, Rick Pott and
Richard Evans possibly the quickest four players we have
at the moment, until Scouse Ron regains full fitness
that is.
Steve Gerrard emailed me this week and hopefully will be
back with us in the next couple of weeks and of course
the old cockney hippie will return from the tropics of
Anglesey in time for next weeks thrash probably laden
down with souvenirs and duty frees.
Finally, I haven't mentioned England because they were
about as convincing as a shot by Robbie from 30 yards.
In fact that may be a bit unkind to Robbie but if a draw
with Israel is something to be proud of then we're in
the proverbial. I'll bet a pound to a splash of that
proverbial that our old Jocko is back next week with a
grin all over his Edinburgh fizzog.....
Tonight's
Teams
Bryn Meredith
John Goodwin
Martin Wilde
Keith Mastin
Tony Moore
Matt Pink
Bud Jackson
Richard Evans
Nigel Caldwell
Rick Pott
Keith Proudfoot
Malc Hough
Paul Dennis
Kevin English
Sunday April 1st 2007 :
Another awful performance by England on Wednesday but,
Italy's victory over the Jocko's thankfully saved us
from a potential bout of piss taking from Stevie Hart
who instead chose not to show tonight. Pity really
because we had a right good session again this
evening. Bryn's Mary's Moaners started off like a church
on fire winning their first three games in a canter. Zsu
Zsu added the missing playmaker role from last Sunday
and pulled the strings like a good 'un. Martin was
lashing in goals from everywhere so it came as a relief
when Matt's team eventually brought a halt to their
gallop. Richard Evans and Matt take some stopping with
their pace and as the Moaners paid the price for not
pacing themselves the goals started to fly into their
net at an alarming rate. Nigel is proving to be a very
difficult player to get past these days and his
defending certainly deserves credit. Proudy and Paul
both linked well and after some early setbacks both got
into the groove to make sure their team made an
impression. Myself and Kevin eased ourselves into things
but found the going a lot easier as the night went on.
Old Mooro is finding his form again after his long lay
off and it was good to see the old chap galloping up and
down the pitch with very little effort, well at least
for the first couple of minutes anyway.... Good stuff
tonight with the three teams finishing level overall.
Easter Sunday next week but hopefully we'll have a full
turnout.
Tonight's
Teams
Bryn Meredith
Keith Mastin
Bud Jackson
Richard Evans
Chris Anthony
Keith Proudfoot
Malc Hough
Paul Garner
Kevin English
Sunday 8th April 2007 : Easter Sunday was bound to
affect our attendance tonight but nine of the lads
turned up for an Easter bonanza of light hearted
football. Remembering that Easter Sunday was the day
that Jesus allegedly rose from the dead this would have
been a great opportunity for him to
join the Mary's Moaners and perhaps perform a miracle or
three. Turning Zsu Zsu's hippy outfit into a regular
football kit would have been a pretty impressive one to
start with. Healing Stevie Gerrard's ankle and Scouse
Ron's failing legs possibly even better but, sadly he
was just another no show so as far as I am concerned
there was more chance of a eunuch rising than Jesus on
Easter Sunday. Anyway the boys certainly enjoyed their
football this evening and with the teams rotating that
competitive edge was perhaps missing. This allowed the
more creative players to showcase their skills which
meant that Zsu Zsu and myself could craft the goal
scoring openings for the rest to generally waste. Paul
had a mare when it came to shooting tonight, we all have
night's like that although he didn't give up it got
worse as the night wore on. Bryn revelled in the service
he received from the senior vets hitting the goal trail
with gusto. On the whole a very enjoyable run out for
the lads who chose to support the more traditional
Sunday activity on offer in New Mills today
Tonight's
Teams
Bryn Meredith
Rick Pott
Keith Mastin
Steve Hart
Steve Gerrard
Richard Evans
Chris Anthony
Martin Wilde
Malc Hough
Paul Garner
John Goodwin
Sunday 15th April 2007 :
Cup Semi Final weekend and surprise surprise is Chelski
and Man Uni£ed in the Final, that makes a change I don't
think. Looks like the English Premiership has taken the
same path as the Jocko league with most of the teams
just making up the numbers while the top wadded teams
cream off all the silverware. No such elitism with the
vets where we're all in with a shout. Eleven tonight was
a decent showing with Kevin in Thailand, Proudy & Paul
watching the Rovers get the inevitable at Gold Tra££ord
and Matt on new baby duty with the arrival of his first
born. We rotated the teams again and had a fair to
middling nights football but suffered from one of the
worst nights finishing in Vets history. Ballooning shots
and misses from close in were the order of the night
with almost everybody guilty of spurning opportunities.
Maybe it was the unusually warm weather or the ball
which could have done with a few more psi's in it but
one thing for sure is if Robbie had been playing he'd
have been in good company. All was not bad though,
Stevie Gerrard made his promised come back and did
pretty well, looked quite fit compared to a few of us
regulars too. Rick Pott managed to net a few decent
goals and Chris Anthony struck the goal of the night
with a vicious drive from some distance that fair ripped
into the net. Richard Evans had a busy night, up and
down the pitch like a man on a mission. Steve Hart also
put in a lot of effort as did most of the lads this
evening. Next week hopefully will see the return of old
Mooro from his trip down the smoke and the crestfallen
Proudy, now completely pissed off with his recent visits
to the Theatre of broken Dreams.
Talk in the dressing room was of the Christmas EGM which
is now bordering on the late side by anybodies
standards. Time for Zsu Zsu to get his act together and
invest some of our bulging coffers in a night fit for
old gits. I'll drop the old hippie an email this week
and let him know that we are now in need of a top night
at the White Hart where all manner of traditional awards
need to be bestowed on those who are - The New Mills
Vets.
Tonight's
Teams
Bryn Meredith
Martin Wilde
Keith Mastin
John Goodwin
Keith Proudfoot
Steve Gerrard
Paul Dennis
Chris Anthony
Richard Evans
Malc Hough
Rick Pott
Nigel Caldwell
Bud Jackson
Sunday 15th April 2007 : When the squads were assembled
tonight Zsu Zsu Mastin decided Proudy's team was too
strong so I was loaned out on a Bosman to Richard Evans
team. It was going to be strange playing against my own
team but sometimes you have to make sacrifices and this
was one of those times. Did they struggle without me....
not really, in fact they only lost two games all night.
After two excellent wins it looked like they were going
to clean up but in their third Richard's team
stopped them in their tracks. In a hard fought game the
two Ricks used their pace to unsettle them and when
Nigel put me through I found the net from close range. I
resisted kissing the badge and suddenly realised how
Denis Law felt when he sent the rags down with that back
heel all those years ago. Chris saved the game with an
equaliser in the dying seconds so yet again no team
would complete the session with a 100% record. We did
manage a win against them later on as did Mary's Moaners
who always compete well but tonight they suffered from
erratic finishing especially Martin who had one of those
nights. John the assassin Goodwin reappeared this
evening when he attempted to barge Rick Pott through the
double doors while the unsuspecting striker was flying
down the flank. Rick retreated into no mans land looking
quite dazed but thankfully John was only venting his
frustration at his own below par performance. Proudy and
Rick Evans scored the two best goals tonight, Ricks
being a superb headed own goal and Proudy's a pile
driver from just inside the opposition's half. Steve
Gerrard continues his come back with another solid
performance but plainly missed my playmaking skills.
Hopefully the Christmas EGM will be held at the White
Hart on Friday 18th May which gives us a chance to get
in touch with everybody. Should be a good one - will
confirm next week.
Tonight's
Teams
Bryn Meredith
Keith Mastin
John Goodwin
Chris Anthony
Richard Evans
Malc Hough
Rick Pott
Paul Garner
Matt Pink
Sunday 29th April 2007 :
This was turning into a nightmare week, Uni£ed 2-1 down
to Milan on Wednesday and they come back to win 3-2,
then yesterday with Chelski 2-1 up at half time and
Uni£ed 2-0 down what happens? Chelski draw 2-2,
Phil Neal bangs in an own goal and the rags end up
winning with Shreck fluking the winner against the team
he used to live for. Hyde United miss out on the play
offs and Altrincham get relegated. City play like a
bunch of tarts and are the last hope to stop Uni£ed
winning the Prem when they meet next Saturday, fat
chance. Ladyboy Ronaldo gets the players player and
young player of the year awards, could it get any
worse???
Thank goodness for Sunday night with the vets although
only nine were lucky enough to enjoy this excellent
session. Four a side was the order for the night which
always leaves everyone breathing out of their rear
orifice because there is just nowhere to hide with all
that space. Well maybe we
may just omit Matt and Richard Evans from that scenario
as their younger and lighter frames are still capable of
playing for ninety minutes without too much risk of burn
out. John came up with a good idea to bring them down to
our level when he found a 20lb weight which he thought
they should both be forced to carry round with them, a
bit like handicapping a jockey. Rick Pott is another who
is bordering on fit and tonight he again put in another
non stop performance which is all the more surprising
when he stays on for another 90 minutes with the lads
who follow us on - now that's moving into marathon mode.
Bryn hit the goal trail again this week with an
astonishing amount of them going through the old hippy
Zsu Zsu's legs. Matt had a quiet night by his
standards, probably those sleepless nights that follow a
new baby in the household. John was just pleased to nick
a few goals past Matt and Rick Pott. Paul turned out in
his Henrik Larsson Swedish number again and at times you
would think it really was Henrik who I believe has just
retired!! Chris failed to reach the giddy heights he set
last week but still weighed in with a few quality
strikes and certainly one particularly superb tackle on
two opponents at the same time.
Well by this time next week we could well be in the
ultra nightmare situation with a Man Ewe v Chelski
FA Cup Final - a Man U v Chelski European money bags
Final and surprise surprise Man U and Chelski fighting
it out for the Premiership title - so for heavens
sake COME ON Liverpool and Milan do us all a favour....
the old Zines that we have been playing at the Leisure Centre for
18½ years. Well not quite all of us but, for John Goodwin,
Keith Mastin and myself we've been there from the beginning
and will continue to keep the old bodies mobile. With three
teams tonight it was fitting that the three of us were in different
sides, I was with Matt, Proudy and Rick Pott while John stuck with
fellow Mary's Moaners Scouse Ron, Bryn and Martin with Zsu Zsu
Mastin heading the third side with Bud Jackson, Paul Garner, Paul
Dennis and Ian Lemonzic. I was well chuffed as my team ripped into
the opposition with a vengeance. Matt was in sizzling form early
doors with Proudy and Rick revelling in the pacy action. Not until
later did we flag when it looked like an unbeaten night was on the
cards. With three losses on the night though we still just about
shaded the honours. Ian Lemonzic "Disley" (I must ask him where that
nick name came from) came out of exile for his first appearance
since last May. The long break was evident though as the lad
struggled to handle the vets pace and spent most of the games in his
own half defending, much to the relief of the opposing goalkeepers.
Bryn and Scouse Ron teamed up for the first time in a long while and
if Ron could shake off some niggling little problems left over from
his knee injuries, the Mary's Moaners would once again become a force
to be reckoned with. Good turn out again this evening in spite of
the usual Man Uni£ed match on Sky as an alternative so it's onwards
towards that next milestone of 19 years on June 26th. And finally an
email from Proudy -
As you all know the shock result announced that
Manchester has been granted the right to build a super casino at
Eastland's ahead of bids from Blackpool and London. The reason it
has been disclosed is purely economical as the casino will provide
the Roulette, Fruit Machines, Black Jack and Poker Games, whilst the
Crap Games will remain in the Man City stadium next door! Not
wrong Keith.......
reasonably
light hearted tone although the tackles were flying in when needed.
John was on the end of a few "good 'uns" but to his credit didn't
seek retribution although as we all know, they could well come next
week after he's had a think about it. Man flew around like a mad
thing but has got into the habit of trying to destroy the nets
instead of his usual reliable finishing subsequently ending up
threatening the basket ball hoop rather than the goal. Goals of the
night were both long rangers with Bryn curling one in from the kick
off (past an unsighted keeper, well I didn't see it 'til very late)
and Paul from further back still battering one into the top corner.
Chris had another good night and I doubled my scoring tally from
last week. Martin's non smoking is paying off as he now manages to
complete at least half an hour before turning green. Watching the FA
Cup this week it is noticeable that the huff puff bish bash style of
football is now permeating our game at the professional level more
than ever. As I said to Zsu Zsu tonight, if the skill goes out of
our game me and you are finished. As Keith enters his 60th year we
are running out of time to pass on our own silky playmaking skills
to the lesser mortals around us. While on the subject of Keith, it's
about time the old git sorted out a date for the next EGM and
combined Christmas do..... come on Mastin get yourself into gear.
evening. Bryn's Mary's Moaners started off like a church
on fire winning their first three games in a canter. Zsu
Zsu added the missing playmaker role from last Sunday
and pulled the strings like a good 'un. Martin was
lashing in goals from everywhere so it came as a relief
when Matt's team eventually brought a halt to their
gallop. Richard Evans and Matt take some stopping with
their pace and as the Moaners paid the price for not
pacing themselves the goals started to fly into their
net at an alarming rate. Nigel is proving to be a very
difficult player to get past these days and his
defending certainly deserves credit. Proudy and Paul
both linked well and after some early setbacks both got
into the groove to make sure their team made an
impression. Myself and Kevin eased ourselves into things
but found the going a lot easier as the night went on.
Old Mooro is finding his form again after his long lay
off and it was good to see the old chap galloping up and
down the pitch with very little effort, well at least
for the first couple of minutes anyway.... Good stuff
tonight with the three teams finishing level overall.
Easter Sunday next week but hopefully we'll have a full
turnout. 
join the Mary's Moaners and perhaps perform a miracle or
three. Turning Zsu Zsu's hippy outfit into a regular
football kit would have been a pretty impressive one to
start with. Healing Stevie Gerrard's ankle and Scouse
Ron's failing legs possibly even better but, sadly he
was just another no show so as far as I am concerned
there was more chance of a eunuch rising than Jesus on
Easter Sunday. Anyway the boys certainly enjoyed their
football this evening and with the teams rotating that
competitive edge was perhaps missing. This allowed the
more creative players to showcase their skills which
meant that Zsu Zsu and myself could craft the goal
scoring openings for the rest to generally waste. Paul
had a mare when it came to shooting tonight, we all have
night's like that although he didn't give up it got
worse as the night wore on. Bryn revelled in the service
he received from the senior vets hitting the goal trail
with gusto. On the whole a very enjoyable run out for
the lads who chose to support the more traditional
Sunday activity on offer in New Mills today 
stopped them in their tracks. In a hard fought game the
two Ricks used their pace to unsettle them and when
Nigel put me through I found the net from close range. I
resisted kissing the badge and suddenly realised how
Denis Law felt when he sent the rags down with that back
heel all those years ago. Chris saved the game with an
equaliser in the dying seconds so yet again no team
would complete the session with a 100% record. We did
manage a win against them later on as did Mary's Moaners
who always compete well but tonight they suffered from
erratic finishing especially Martin who had one of those
nights. John the assassin Goodwin reappeared this
evening when he attempted to barge Rick Pott through the
double doors while the unsuspecting striker was flying
down the flank. Rick retreated into no mans land looking
quite dazed but thankfully John was only venting his
frustration at his own below par performance. Proudy and
Rick Evans scored the two best goals tonight, Ricks
being a superb headed own goal and Proudy's a pile
driver from just inside the opposition's half. Steve
Gerrard continues his come back with another solid
performance but plainly missed my playmaking skills. 
may just omit Matt and Richard Evans from that scenario
as their younger and lighter frames are still capable of
playing for ninety minutes without too much risk of burn
out. John came up with a good idea to bring them down to
our level when he found a 20lb weight which he thought
they should both be forced to carry round with them, a
bit like handicapping a jockey. Rick Pott is another who
is bordering on fit and tonight he again put in another
non stop performance which is all the more surprising
when he stays on for another 90 minutes with the lads
who follow us on - now that's moving into marathon mode.
Bryn hit the goal trail again this week with an
astonishing amount of them going through the old hippy
Zsu Zsu's legs. Matt had a quiet night by his
standards, probably those sleepless nights that follow a
new baby in the household. John was just pleased to nick
a few goals past Matt and Rick Pott. Paul turned out in
his Henrik Larsson Swedish number again and at times you
would think it really was Henrik who I believe has just
retired!! Chris failed to reach the giddy heights he set
last week but still weighed in with a few quality
strikes and certainly one particularly superb tackle on
two opponents at the same time. 
