NEW

Vets Film Strips - Just Click the Image above
to see John Goodwin score

Players of the Week
2009
Click the Name
for a picture

13th September
John Goodwin
6th September
Keith Mastin
23rd August
Rick Pott
16th August
Paul Garner
26th July
Keith Proudfoot
19th July
Neil McClelland
12th July
Chris Podmore
28th June
Kevin English
21st June
Matt Pink
14th June
Proudy & Ron
7th June
Youth Team
31st May
Rick Pott
17th May
Chris Todd
10th May
Steve Gerrard
3rd May
Neil McClelland
12th April
Richard Evans
5th April
Chris Anthony
29th March
Richard Evans
22nd March
Karl English
8th March
Paul Garner
22nd February
Rob Westwood
15th February
Dan Bolton
8th February
The Benches
29th January
Graham Mason
18th January
John Goodwin
11th January
Matt Pink

New Mills Vets
 5 a side
football at the
Leisure Centre
New Mills
High Peak
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.

More YouTube's
Penalty or What?
Bryn Misses a Sitter
Only One Winner Here
Proudy & Ron

Paul Garner demonstrates his sublime skills and dress sense in another YouTube materpiece.

Tonight's Players

Paul Garner
Matt Pink
Richard Evans
Rick Pott
Bud Jackson
Steve Gerrard
Keith Mastin
Chris Anthony
Chris Todd
Neil McClelland
Malc Hough

 

Sunday 3rd May 2009 : Zsu Zsu Mastin returned from his trip to London and Steve Gerrard returned from injury to bolster the numbers to 11 tonight and as it happened a very pleasing ninety minutes of football. Steve Gerrard coped well after his lay off and showed no signs of reaction although I suspect he may just do so in the morning after a very rigorous work out. Chris Antony looked well after his holiday in Fuerteventura and put in a fair share as we employed the Ron Buttery rotation system once again. Neil McClelland had a really good night with his all action style and Matt Pink put in his normal stint. Great to see Zsu Zsu doing so well as the old hippie is always at the hub of the action and never seems to lack the energy to last the ninety minutes although, those trips into goal are getting more frequent.
Watching Saturday's games threw up a anomaly when Andre Arshavin that popular Cockney lad indicated that the tackle on him by Sean Davis was OK and pointed to the corner flag to indicate a corner and then waving his finger like a metronome at the referee who chose to ignore this sporting gesture and awarded a penalty.  Now sometimes this  honourable behaviour is evident at the Vets sessions especially since the disappearance of a certain scouser. Invariably a poor roll out from a keeper is returned by an opponent who doesn't wish to take advantage of what after all is a genuine error (in fairness a regular occurrence by the same scouser). Often a player doesn't need the referee to blow for a hand ball not spotted by the man with the whistle so perhaps the Vets are indeed an example to the pro's or maybe they're just soft in their old age.
 

Tonight's Players

Paul Garner
Malc Stubbs
Richard Evans
Rick Pott
Bud Jackson
Steve Gerrard
Keith Mastin
Chris Anthony
Chris Todd
Neil McClelland
Malc Hough

Sunday 10th May 2009 : Not the best of nights to play football after watching City's poor attempt of a contest at Stretford today with Utd not having to break sweat to win 2-0. Sadly Proudy's trip to watch Glossop at Wembley ended with a similar reversal. Just to compound a lousy weekend's results New Mills lost 5-0 in their title decider at AFC Fylde but the show must go on and the Blue vets were all there despite the disappointments of the day. Eleven vets in all found themselves involved in a great 90 minutes of fast and sometimes quite furious action. Again rotating the teams was the order of the night so team play was sometimes inevitably a little disjointed although the early games produced some really free flowing moves. Malc Stubbs made a welcome return after his trip to Australia looking like an Abbo and sometimes playing like one. Steve Gerrard was the pick of the goal scores especially early doors. Rick Pott had the miss of the night when the ball seemed to disappear as he landed in a heap on the deck. By and large we had ourselves a good old thrash around and I for one felt the better for it.
On a serious note Neil McClelland has entered for the Bupa Great Manchester Run next Sunday and is looking for sponsors and donations. All proceeds are going to Manchester Children's Hospital which I personally think is a great cause as will all parents who have placed their Children in their care. So I ask you all to bring a few extra bob next Sunday, Neil will do the hard bit, I think it only fair we all chip in with our bit, I'll start the ball rolling with £10 - I'll print a few leaflets to hand out for those who don't have the dubious pleasure of reading this page - Well done Neil, I wish my not so glorious Blues were as committed as you...
Chris held out his sweat drenched City shirt in the dressing room after tonight's footy and suggested we send it to Robinho to remind him how his shirt should feel at the end of a game, nice one Chris 
 

John Goodwin
Bud Jackson
Paul Garner
Ron Buttery
Karl English

Matt Pink
Richard Evans
Rick Pott
Chris Todd
Dan Bolton

Chris Anthony
Keith Proudfoot
Paul Dennis
Malc Hough

Sunday 17th May 2009 : Another milestone for me this week as I passed my 63rd year on this planet and joined old Mooro as the second old giffer to reach this landmark and still manage a ninety minute thrash with the vets. Only Mooro and myself know just how hard that is although in fairness I didn't mark my appearance with the best of performances this evening. In fact my team in general tonight were at best pretty below par. Perhaps our best game was against Matt Pinks youth team when we forced a very creditable 0-0 to halt their winning streak. So it was left to Matt's team and John Goodwin's lads to slog it out for the team of the night. It was a close call but the extra pace of Matt's line-up won the night. With the two Rick's & Matt flying about and Chris Todd & Dan Bolton keeping things ticking over from the middle they were a tough old team to hold and their reward was to remain unbeaten over the session. I personally think this squad should be encouraged to stay together as over the years my own squad and Mary's Moaners have kept the same players to great effect. Mary's Moaners of course have seemingly lost the services of Bryn Meredith who in fairness was one of the best goal scorers to have played for the vets and that is a huge loss. Tonight they also missed the playmaking skills of Zou Zsu Mastin who for once decided to take his family to somewhere half decent (the old hippie has gone clubbing on Menorca) although Karl English filled in nicely and produced two stunning cross field passes that created goals which Zsu Zsu would have been proud to make. Goal of the night had to be Ron Buttery's last second equalising drive against Matt's team that flew into the bottom corner from distance. Good to see Ron back in action with a more than decent hour and a half. Richard Evans and myself solved the ever growing Dan Bolton waistline phenomenon last week when on the way to work we spotted the United biffer sneaking into the buttie shop on High Lane at 6:50 in the morning for an early bird feast - you can't get away with that Danny boy....  Finally - can everyone bring a few bob extra next week to add to Neil McClelland's Great Manchester Run Charity fund (see above report). Neil did exceptionally well finishing the course in  55 minutes. Well done Neil - respect to you.  Any amount will be appreciated no matter how small, it's a very good cause so let's do the lad proud.

John Goodwin
Bud Jackson
Neil McClelland
Ron Buttery
Keith Mastin

Richard Evans
Rick Pott
Karl English
Dan Bolton


Chris Anthony
Matt Pink
Malc Stubbs
Malc Hough

Sunday 24th May 2009 : Well the curtain has nearly come down on the football season with the last Premier games being played today and just one play off tomorrow plus of course the FA Cup Final. Rangers took back the Jocko two team league title off Celtic and predictably the rags won the four team English league for the umteenth time, only Blackburn have party pooped that one. Same old four English teams in next season's Euro Dosh League and the same old Jocko's join them. Let's just hope Everton can do one for the fans next Saturday and put one over Abramovich's Millionaires.
Down at grass roots level we had a bubbly old session this evening at the Leisure Centre. With three teams giving it the Full Monty we came to a shuddering halt as one of the lads saw the red mist. It's never pleasant when this sort of thing happens and this was one of those occasions when the afters were far worse than the incident. Chris bore the brunt of the episode finding himself on the end of some very unpleasant verbal's. As often in the past when writing these reports I am loathe to embarrass the perpetrator by naming him and I don't wish to do so tonight but, as Chris decided to take no further part and left the pitch I have to say the lad in question calmed down and was genuinely apologetic. We have had quite a few guys over the years with short fuses, there are not many of us who haven't had moments we possibly regret afterwards, I know I for one have but, the following week hopefully we are all mates once more and we can put these increasingly rare episodes behind us.
It was a shame this incident overshadowed what was otherwise a good nights football. No player of the week this week so let's get back to what we do best next week as I'm getting too old for all this palaver.

John Goodwin
Malc Stubbs
Neil McClelland
Dan Bolton
Keith Mastin

Richard Evans
Rick Pott
Chris Todd
Ron Buttery
Dan Bolton


Chris Anthony
Steve Gerrard
Keith Proudfoot
Malc Hough

Sunday 31st May 2009 : Much rejoicing amongst the lads tonight after Barcelona's master class on Wednesday evening. What a wonderful exhibition of how the game should be played, oozing class from every player they ran the Rags err,,,, ragged!! Only Neil and Dan were down at the Leisure Centre tonight to represent their fallen zero's, sorry heroes. Back to what we do best this evening with last weeks parties settling their differences. It is something we have to accept will happen from time to time but thankfully it was all forgotten tonight as the three teams went after each other with great enthusiasm. Proudy and Steve Gerrard were back to bolster our squad with Chris and myself, as a team we played quite well but found great difficulty in converting our many opportunities into goals. Mary's Moaners seemingly have accepted their demise as Ron joined the two Rick's, Chris Todd and Dan Bolton. Ron certainly had an influence on his teams performance with a good number of goals from distance and looks to have found a niche in this younger looking side to the one he has served for many years. Rick Evans was banging them in for fun and one or two of them were actually placed!
Zsu Zsu Mastin's team had a decent night, John knocked in his share of goals including a hat trick in one of the later games. Neil McClelland and Malc Stubbs were both busy at the heart of the team and shared the honours with Ron's team over the ninety minutes.
Neil was pleased to receive a few bob for his efforts in the Great Manchester Run and I suggested afterwards that we all enter next years event as a club. If we can manage 90 minutes football then 10k surely isn't out of the question. I think we need an EGM to discuss this and a few other idea's so I'll see if I can persuade our leader to organise it sooner rather than later.

John Goodwin
Neil McClelland
Paul Garner
Keith Mastin

Matt Pink
Richard Evans
Rick Pott
Karl English

Chris Anthony
Steve Gerrard
Chris Todd
Malc Hough
 

Sunday 7th June 2009 : A miserable weekends weather guaranteed a reasonable turnout at the Leisure Centre tonight. What you can never guarantee is the quality of the football on offer but, tonight we were lucky to have the chance to play against one of the stronger squads to appear in recent weeks. Matt Pinks team had speed, skill and youth on their side and it showed. Rumblings of discontent from John the sleeping assassin only served to drive them on. Goals were flowing from all the team, even Rick Pott found the net. So at the half way mark things were looking ominous - could this be the first team to win all their games? Cometh the hour (about 50 minutes in this instant) cometh the men. My team were determined to make our mark - the lads talked the talk and followed by walking the walk in style. We took the game to to the opposition and in doing so Steve Gerrard finished off a defence splitting pass from Chris Todd with a stunning drive to go one up. A change of tactic was in order and Toddie barked out "park the bus", a typical Bolton Wanderers response from a Trotters fan. We did indeed park the bus and with a little help from Neil Mac in goals we held on for a well earned win. Once again the impossible stayed that way although Matt's team won every other game bar this one, no mean achievement by any standards. A super all round show this evening with many good performances. Karl looked comfortable sitting at the back of Matt's team mopping up and still managing to get forward to hit a few goals. After resurrecting the Henrik Larsson Classic Sweden strip last week, Paulo Garner appeared in his more familiar green and white hooped number tonight and it was patently obvious that his Scandinavian outfit lent itself more readily to smacking the ball in from distance than the Yoevilesque hoops did tonight from anywhere. However Paulo along with most other players tonight certainly put in a fair shift but hats off to Matt's youth team - the bar has been raised. 

Next week I will be publishing "Paulo Strikes Like Larsson" on YouTube

John Goodwin
Neil McClelland
Paul Garner
Keith Mastin

Bud Jackson
Richard Evans
Jamie English
Karl English

Keith Proudfoot
Rick Pott
Ron Buttery
Malc Hough

Sunday 14th June 2009 : Big news of the week has to be Ladyboy Ronaldo's transfer to Real Madrid for 80 million sobs, we're all gutted. The big problem here is Madrid's mega bucks which have already lashed out a kings ransom on Kaka, for me they are ruining club football. More prudent spenders like my own glorious Blues have to pick up the crumbs like Santa Cruz for 12 million or so. Back at the grass roots Ron Buttery has confirmed he has left Mary's Moaners in search of a new challenge and as there isn't a fee involved teams are queuing to get the old Scouser on loan. Tonight he was drafted into Proudy's squad and spearheaded one of the tallest striking duo's ever to appear for the vets. And with a little help from myself and the flying Rick Pott we managed to go through the night undefeated. Rick Evans came in for a bit of stick for not passing enough but, the way I saw it the lad has an uncanny habit of hitting the net and most teams would be pretty happy to have the Liverpool fan in their ranks. Young Jamie English gave us a chance to see how well he is progressing with a fine 90 minutes in his dads team. The pair linked well with Rick and Bud who as usual was pretty solid at the back. John Goodwin had his grumpy hat on most of the night but put in a decent shift. Iin truth John is his own worst enemy, I don't think he gives himself any where near enough credit for just how effective his input actually is. Maybe Rick Evans was the top scorer tonight but Proudy and Ron were not too far behind in what was a rare old up and at 'em session of 5 a side football. Due to contractual problems with Paulo's agent I have had to delay the premiere of his YouTube video but will have it up and running in the next couple of days.
On a final note - keep your eyes open for John Brooke at the One World Festival next Saturday in High Lee Park

Malc Stubbs
 Kevin English
Paul Garner
Keith Mastin

Bud Jackson
Matt Pink
Dan Bolton
Ron Buttery

Keith Proudfoot
Chris Anthony
Chris Todd
Malc Hough

Sunday 21st June 2009 : A brilliant session tonight as twelve bodies battled away with much passion and endeavour. Ron Buttery continued his new mercenary status as he slipped into Matt's team to add that little bit of the kind of experience that only Ron can bring to a team i.e. a good old bollocking when the moment arises and arise it did on a number of occasions. Right or wrong it certainly did the trick as his team ended up top of the tree albeit only just. Losing the second game to Proudy's team came as a big set back to them as they were going for broke from the outset. With Proudy, the two Chris's and myself defending like an Italian serie a team, Dan poked one in to put Matt's side ahead. What they didn't reckon on was our ability to strike at speed on the break, especially as Proudy was landed with possibly the three slowest players on view. But we struck with the speed of a dying snail not once but twice for a famous victory. A few games later revenge seemed to be on the cards as Matt's team took a three goal lead but again Proudy inspired his sloth's to hit back with three fine goals from the two Chris's and himself. When later in the proceedings we found ourselves six goals behind, ably assisted by Malc Stubbs our stand in goalie, we were not able to summon up one of our now famous comebacks. Zsu Zsu Mastin's team during this time had their moment too with Paulo and Kevin English working their socks off to support the injured Malc Stubbs and an aging leader. It has to be remembered that our games are only 5 minutes long but often the goals flow at a ridiculous rate. I had a milestone moment this evening when I hit my first hat trick for a long while in one of those games and I don't think there are many 63 year old blokes that can say that - Norris McWhirter please note! Zsu Zsu had the good fortune to run into John Brooke on Saturday at the One World Festival at New Mills. John was quite enthusiastic about returning to the fray for a game or three but first he insists he must finish his martial arts course (a wise decision). John it has to be remembered was one of an exclusive club who suffered a broken limb when Mary's Moaners infamous hatchet man, Bryan Beddows deposited Cockney John into the wall at great speed. Ah, memories!! Nigel Caldwell also graced the festival and I met up with him in the Bombay Cáfe in Chinley where he updated me on his injury. Looks like an Autumn return for the Cambridge Red as a further injury playing Cricket has hampered his recouvery.
And finally, Paulo's video is now released on YouTube and not before time. I have a new program which hopefully will see an influx of Vets stuff on the popular movie site including - Oh Robbie - Another Matt Goal - Ron scores at last plus many more.  Watch Paulo Here

Richard Evans
Kevin English
Karl English
Chris Podmore
Keith Mastin

Matt Pink
Rick Pott
Chris Anthony
Chris Todd
Malc Hough

Sunday 28th June 2009 : a steamy hot Sunday afternoon was never going to bring the vets out in great numbers but, the guys who did manage to roll up did themselves proud. Spotting Karl English at the 150th anniversary celebrations of Hayfield Cricket Club supping a cool pint looked like one absentee to start with. Karl was celebrating the birth of three day old Liam but to my surprise the lad was at the Leisure Centre with with his brother in good time for the game. As often happens when you throw two sides together a surprisingly good contest ensues. Rick Evans's team won the overall honours winning three games to one but all were fiercely close. Rick not only led his team from the front but showed amazing agility in nets stopping what looked like certs on more than a few occasions. Karl was running on empty in the latter stages but is now looking more like his old self weighing in with some smart finishing. Matt's team were handicapped somewhat with myself and Rick Pott suffering from cold bugs as well as Matt being under the weather. Chris had a thigh strain so unsurprisingly Chris Todd had his work cut out keeping all the demics  together. It was an extraordinary effort that went into winning the final game that made all our woes pale into insignificance and sent us all home feeling it was after all, worth turning up for.
Finally we are three bibs missing, have a root round and see if you have taken one home by mistake, if by a miracle we get a mass turn out next week we may need them......

Rick Evans
Kevin English
John Goodwin
Keith Mastin

Matt Pink
Jamie English
Karl English
Rick Pott

Keith Proudfoot
Chris Anthony
Steve Gerrard
Ron Buttery
Malc Hough

Sunday 5th July 2009 : Every so often we get one of those nights when all the ingredients make for a top notch 5 a side session and tonight, that was the case. We had three evenly balanced teams that gave their all for 90 minutes, an absolute pleasure to be involved in. Matt started off like a man on a mission driving his team on with great purpose.  It took five games to stop their gallop and it was Zsu Zsu's team that stood up to be counted with a backs to the wall 1-1 draw. Kevin English seemed to be everywhere as Rick Pott and Matt threatened to run them ragged. As usual it was the old heads and bodies that stood in the way of the young guns. In the next game Proudy and Stevie Gerrard looked to continue the fight to derail Matt's teams progress as they helped build a 3-0 lead only to see Jamie English score two before Matt completed the comeback to equalise with the last kick. We couldn't pick a player of the week because there were too many candidates which says it all really. Highlights and lowlights were Ron's excellent Back heeled goal, my own stonking golden goal at the end and Rick Potts attempt at destroying the roof with the worst shot of the night.
Only bad spot was Karl pulling up with a muscle strain later on but hopefully this will clear in a couple of weeks. Karl runs New Mills Under 16's although this season coming they move up to the under 17's age group. The good news is that Karl has agreed to resurrect the annual fixture which the Vets used to have against the under 16's at the end of each season. Currently we lead the juniors 3-1 but if Jamie England is any guide then we will be hard pushed to stretch it to 4-1, we shall see.

Sunday 12th July 2009 : Whilst England were pulling off a remarkable recovery against the Aussies in the first Ashes Test Match from a seemingly impossible position, the vets were enjoying another 90 minute thrash at the leisure centre. Thirteen vets made the trip down to Hyde Bank to enjoy what for me was a full bloodied session with no holding back. Proudy's late show was rewarded with a transfer to Ron Buttery's squad. Ron has found a new lease of life after being given a free transfer from Mary's Moaners and yet again tonight let his football do the talking (well most of the time). Linking well with Proudy they formed a free scoring strike force that was captured on video and will soon make an appearance on YouTube. Steve Gerrard led his squad with a fair share of goals but suffered with an injury which slowed him down somewhat. Zsu Zsu was another who had to endure a niggling injury to his back which probably explained why he never broke walking pace, the old hippie is in need of medication. Paulo Garner completed a hat trick of walking wounded which he blames on his appearance on YouTube, he says he hasn't been fit since. It was also suggested that we rename his video from  "Paulo strikes like Larsson" to "Paulo strikes like Frank Carson".     Kevin English and Rick Pott threatened to cause serious structural damage to the building with some wayward finishing but both made amends with a few late scorchers. Miss of the night had to be Bud Jackson's as he found himself unmarked a yard out with the keeper rooted to the centre of his nets. Bud carefully volleyed the ball high wide and not very handsomely much to everyone's amusement. Still I suppose that reflected the mood tonight as for the best part it was a hard but well natured contest. 

Sunday 19th July 2009 : Another fine turnout by the Vets tonight as 14 players made for a highly enjoyable set of games from the three teams. The inclusion of Chris  Podmore and Jamie English set the older players a serious challenge as their pace was more than than we could cope with at times. Jamie in particular set off with a hat full of goals which threatened to overrun the old giffers amongst us. Thankfully as the session passed the half way stage they came down to our level making it a more even contest. Malc Stubbs and Neil McClelland were back after short breaks and both showed well. Neil in particular was in great scoring form. Game of the night was between Rick Evans team and Zsu Zsu's Select. Rick's team were unbeaten but goals from Neil and Paulo earned their team a fine 4-3 victory in fine style. Proudy's squad flattered to decieve as they alternated between sublime and errr... bobbins. Still with three of the four oldest players in their team, Chris Todd and Proudy kept plugging away and were rewarded with a decent last half hour. Old Mooro appeared on the viewing balcony and after watching one of my teams poorer efforts was tempted to make a comeback. Rick Evans team just about shaded the honours tonight but with Rick Pott, the two English boys and the younger of the two Malc's in his side it was always going to be a tough night for the rest of us.
Hopefully more of the same next week.

          The Latest New Mills VetsYouTube

Sunday 26th July 2009 : Really pleasing to see Johnboy return tonight after his threat to retire a couple of weeks ago. John is without doubt one of the cornerstones of the vets and things just wouldn't be the same without him. Without his intervention I for one would have scored a memorable goal tonight. As  I brought my trusted left foot forward to finish a superb team move with a drive into the corner John took not only that foot but the other one as well leaving me in a heap. Did I mind, not a jot, I wouldn't have expected anything else after all these years and just to add to the nostalgia of this latest assassination job by the master, referee Ron didn't even award a free kick - respect. The referee's however came in for a fair old lashing tonight but with possibly four or five dodgy decisions it wasn't the end of the world and as New Mills top referee Stan would say "just get on with it!!"  Jamie English again gave us a taste of what to expect when we take on the Juniors in an exceptionally competitive nights footy. Proudy inspired his team to take the honours tonight with only a couple of losses. Chris Todd whacked in a great hat trick in one particular game to add to a pretty decent contribution to his team. Rick Pott also had a fair night as did Bud Jackson who is often the unsung hero doing all the defending, I think it's what Mr Cantona called the water carrier although in Bud's case it's probably more the beer carrier. 
I shall go to work in the morning bruised and aching but happy at the thought that so many guys can make the effort to turn out week after week to give old giffers like me the chance to play the game I love and enjoy so much - I speak to lads all the time who would give their right arms for the chance to play again and it makes you thank the lucky stars that you're not one of them. Enjoy it as long as you can chaps......

Sunday 2nd August 2009 : A special night for the vets tonight, Chris Todd introduced our first overseas player, Mani a young chap from Spain. With little or no English it must have been a seriously confusing night for the young Spaniard. Playing alongside Ron Buttery can be daunting enough at the best of times but listening to a bunch of old giffers shouting and bawling at each other over the most trivial things left a nasty taste in the mouth. It would have been nice for the lad to return home and tell his parents how much he enjoyed a game of football with these old guys from New Mills. I fear Anglo Spanish relations may have been severely damaged tonight and I for one am not very proud of that.
On the football side of things Rick Evans and Chris Podmore gave a good account of themselves in a scrappy overall session. Chris Todd also gave it a go at keeping his team in the contest after Zsu Zsu moved him from his usual squad to play alongside Mani. Mani himself showed some great early touches but like most Spanish players failed to cope with the rigours of the English game.
Proudy with some fine goal-scoring was the mainstay of his team which I think probably ended the night top of the tree.
Next week Zsu Zsu is off to Eire, only he knows why - Proudy is off to a BNP rally and I would imagine Mani will give us a miss but to him I say - Gracias por jugar al fútbol con nosotros. Sería bueno verlo de nuevo, lo siento mi español no es bueno.

Tonight's Players

Paul Garner
Malc Stubbs
Richard Evans
Rick Pott
Chris Podmore
Paul Dennis
Keith Proudfoot
Chris Anthony
Ron Buttery
Malc Hough
John Goodwin

Sunday 9th August 2009 : A clash with Man U playing Chelsea didn't stop 11 lads turning up for their weekly fix of 5 a side footy. Bud was spotted outside the White Hart, supping ale and puffing away on his ciggie but, being a red he can be forgiven for drowning his sorrows after the worlds biggest club (yawn yawn) lost their first trophy of the season to the prospective premier League winners.
It's great to roll up and see a decent showing of players at this time of the year when so many are on their  holibobs and we were rewarded with a very competitive 90 minutes. Using Ron's Rotation system was the perfect choice tonight, plenty of good games and no hassle although Rick Pott came in for a fair old bit of the physical stuff. I was as guilty as anyone when I got a bit over zealous on a couple of occasions but thankfully Rick rose above it and got on with the game. No player of the week this week but Paul Garner did himself proud after coming back from a short break. Chris was in fine goal scoring form with a number of well taken strikes, a bit Michael Own'ish i.e. probably a bit past it but still useful in the box. I suppose most of us are more than a bit past it really but whilst the mind is willing our bodies are a constant reminder that most of us are on borrowed time. My own aging frame was sadly lacking in the running department this evening but hopefully yet another attack via a strict diet will soon put that right because, if I lose my speed I'm in big trouble. Nuff said!!

Malc Hough
Malc Stubbs
Keith Merrick
Dan Bolton
Rick Pott

Sunday 16th August 2009 : Just a quick report tonight as Janice and myself are off out for an Indian Nosh. It was a bit of a worry tonight with so many vets away on holiday plus Proudy on BNP duty for the weekend. However we still managed two teams of five and a grand couple of first to ten games which John boys team managed to win with the help of some dodgy keeping and a couple of tasty own goals. Malc Stubbs introduced his mate Keith Merrick to the joys of vets 5 a side and he took to it like a duck to mud. Not having played for around 20 years didn't dampen his enthusiasm but a couple of nudges from John Goodwin and more running than he could have expected will definitely dampen his body tomorrow morning. Some very nice touches showed a player who unquestionably knows his way around a football pitch and if he recovers over the next few days I hope he decides to play on a regular basis. Plenty of pleasing action this evening with Rick Pott and Dan Bolton both working well for their side. As ever RIck Evans showed us how to hit the net and Chris Todd put in a useful 90 minutes. Away from the footy Ron and Bev were rocking the night away at the Sycamore celebrating Bev's half century, Steve Gerrard is cruising around Greece with his family and Zsu Zsu Mastin is probably wondering why the hell he bought a property in Ireland!!  Right I'm off to try the New Indian next to Seven Springs garage.....

Malc Hough
Chris Podmore
Dan Bolton
Ron Buttery
Kevin English
 

Sunday 23rd August 2009 : Had to drag myself away from the Ashes Cricket Series with England on the brink but it was worthwhile in exchange for a brilliant 90 minutes 5 a side. The side were perfectly matched and ended up level with one game (first to ten) apiece, which reflects the closeness of the contest. No ref but all the players complied with the new FA respect scheme which was a surprise in itself, good on 'yer lads. John's team came from behind to snatch the first game when Rick Pott turned into a goal machine with a vengeance. John was suffering with a pull on his calf so lucky for the opposition the tackles were a tad on the light side. Chris also pinged a few in but had to settle for a drawn session as Ron's team came back with a bang to take the second match. A good night for Ron as he and Dan brought the best out of their team with young Chris Podmore in particular working very well. Kevin English returned tonight after a short break and fitted into Ron's team very well adding a bit of pace to balance out Rick Evans on the other team. So all in all another week where the lads went home pretty pleased with themselves and with good reason.
Our leader should be back with us next week but with the lack of any dry, flat surfaces in Eire, training would have been impossible so, the Zimmer will probably be put through it's paces again. I'm told from a reliable source that wing mirrors have been fitted to enable the old hippie to keep his eye on possible tackles from behind.
Well England did indeed put the Aussies to the sword and thankfully regained the Trophy from them. Talking of the ashes perhaps we should have our own version, maybe burn a pair of Ron's old Adidas Samba trainers and pop the ashes into an old Carlsberg can and play for that each week, the mind boggles.

Rick Evans
Matt Pink
Kevin English
Ron Buttery
Malcolm Stubbs


Keith Proudfoot
Keith Merrick
Chris Todd
Malc Hough

Sunday 30th August 2009 : A fast and furious, bruising, lung gulping session this evening. Well for me it was anyway and I suspect for the rest too. Three teams all going hell for leather just like it should be. Proudy back from the Balearics' with blistered feet, Chris Todd with a bad chest and Keith Merrick just about recovered from a fortnight ago left me the only fit man on our team. I think it is fair to say cometh the hour cometh the old giffer and with more than my usual goal tally we definitely ended up top dogs over the ninety minutes. Only two defeats against some pretty impressive opposition was very pleasing. Rick Evans, Matt Pink and Kevin English must be three of the quickest vets we can muster and they all had their moments although Rick chose tonight to miss two of the easiest goal scoring chances known to man. Ron was clearly at home with the speedsters as he probed in mid field with Malc Stubbs and even managed one of his trademark back heeled goals. Most impressive were John Goodwin's side who boasted two over 50's and an over 60 and still manage to grab their share of wins. This was what the vets nights are all about and the more the better has to be the marker for the future. How long some of us will be able to carry on is anyone's guess but as long as we are able we will give it a go.
Credit to Chris Todd tonight for making the effort even though his band were due to play at the Hare and Hounds at 20:00. Also Neil McClelland seems to have started a trend  with his 10K charity run back in May as Rick Evans is running a 10k next weekend in support of Cancer Research. As with Neil we are looking to give the lad our full support for a cause that is particularly close to my heart so, if you haven't already done so - give generously, he'll be here next week with a bit of luck to collect the bonce. 
Finally - Father Cairns bought two of the Catholic light switches for the Presbytery. The Nuns have been instructed to stop playing with them!!!

Tonight's Players

Paul Garner
John Goodwin
Rick Pott
Bud Jackson
Keith Mastin
Chris Anthony
Dan Bolton
Chris Podmore
Malc Hough

Sunday 6th September 2009 : Another blinder of a session with a distinct sprinkling of top end vets with more than half the players being well into their fifties and a couple of sixty plusses. We decided to play 4 versus three to see how it developed and although it was bloody tough to be in the four, it made for a very close encounter. We only managed to finish two best of ten games and got half way though a third in ninety minutes. The benches made an unwelcome appearance in the four man teams and as usual played their part. All the lads contributed to make it a really worthwhile game which I certainly enjoyed from start to finish - well done fella's...
Best news of the day was Rick Evans splendid performance in the Great Yorkshire 10k Run. Rick finished in a very creditable time of 51 minutes 28 seconds crossing the finishing line in 1,528th position. So if you sponsored the lad bring along your dosh next Sunday and if you didn't there can't be many better causes than Cancer Research so cough up anyway!!  Well done Rick, you and Neil McClelland both deserve a massive pat on the back.

Sunday 13th September 2009 : A superb weekends football for the Blues amongst us as the new project completed a stunning victory over Arsenal yesterday winning 4-2. Myself and Chris arrived at the Leisure Centre with grins the size of errr, big grins. In Chris's case this wasn't going to last but more of that later. Proudy took the honours tonight as his side only lost two games but won the majority of the rest with Keith himself and Chris netting most of the goals. There wasn't a lot between the sides and Johnboy has to take the credit for picking three well balanced teams. Highlight of the evening came when Dan Bolton gave Ron Buttery a severe bollocking for missing a sitter. Ron as we have come to expect reacted a lot swifter with his gob than he did with his foot a second or two earlier leading to the two team mates trading insults leaving the rest of us to enjoy the moment, result... probably Ron just edged it. The session fizzled out as Chris had the smile knocked of his face and a contact lens from his good eye when he tried to control a full bloodied drive with his nose! Dan also decided enough was enough when everyone to a man voted to replace him in goal with a bench as he couldn't be arsed....
Overall though a pretty good old workout. Well I'll be missing for the next three or four weeks with my latest Granddaughter's Christening next Sunday and then a nice long holiday on the Greek Island of Zakynthos with Janice, hotel pictured right. Obviously the skill level will be reduced but so will the average age so don't let me down, keep rolling up and most of all, enjoy it.
Finally - Derby day next Sunday - City will be without Tevez, Robinho and most likely Adebayor our new scoring hero after his accidental clash with Van Ponsies head but we should still have enough to beat the yesterday men of Stretford - COME ON CITEEEHHHH

Zsu Zsu Mastin
Johnboy Goodwin
Danny Bolton
Chris Podmore
Paulo Garner

Keith Proudfoot
Keith Meredith
Malc Stubbs
Chris Anthony

 Matthew Pink
 Rick Evans
 Rick Pott
 Kevin English

Sunday 20th September 2009 : With Houghie away for basic skills training in Greece there was a feast of footie served up at the Leisure Centre tonight by 13 masters of the game. Sides were well balanced with new boy Keith Meredith putting in a fine performance, including an amazing half-pitch dribble, but top team had to be Matt’s youthful squad although even they suffered the occasional defeat. Much debate about the last minute winner at Old Trafford, which may have distracted one or two of the faithful, but overall a good night’s session. More of the same next week.

Malc wishes to thank the guest writer for providing probably the shortest ever match report to ever appear on Get Your Kits Out. I am about to depart for my Autumn training break in Greece saddened by City's capitulation at the hands of what appears to be Stretford's poorest side for some time. Watching them lump the ball up the pitch because they and the rest of the free thinking world knew time had run out brought it home to me that there is no justice in our beloved game. Gutted isn't a strong enough word!
get me on that bloody plane!!!
 

Zsu Zsu Mastin, John Goodwin, Paulo Garner, Danny Bolton, Chris Podmore, Rick Pott,
Kevin English, Robbie Westwood Rich Westwood
Keith Proudfoot  Chris Todd.
 

Sunday 27th September : With no competing footie on the telly we rather expected a better turn-out tonight but the eleven who came gave it a good thrashing and much weight was lost. Sponsorship by the NHS anti-obesity campaign will be on the next committee agenda.
Using the Ron Buttery rotation system, teams changed constantly so everybody had a slice of the action and benefited from the surging runs of the young and gifted. Chris Podmore ran his bollocks off and was exceptional in his positional play, whilst Danny took the opportunity to perfect his Ronaldo-like dribbling skills. Also featuring, and welcomed back after a six-months lay-off, were Robbie Westwood and his boy Richard, both of whom made their unique contributions to a frantic evening.
The hall fees of £763 were also paid tonight, covering the 13 weeks from June, a reminder that at over £58 per session, we need to average12 lads every week to pay the bills or else the weekly subs will have to go up. So far so good, and we enter the next quarter with a small surplus of £25, plus the five quid Malc still owes before he fled the country.
Houghie - we need you back urgently, to balance the sides when one team has Robbie.
Thanks to our Guest writer for his ramblings which are very much appreciated

Sunday 4th OCTOBER 2009 : With Houghie still absent following his failure to pass his basic footie skills course, just 13 vets braved the elements for a further night’s passion at the New Mills Leisure Centre. Overall Matt’s youthful squad, full of runners and playing a tight marking game, emerged victorious, although bowed and beaten by others on the night. A welcome return for Ronnie Buttery, shortly to join Greater Manchester Police as a health and safety assessor (!!), teams were evenly matched and scores generally close although there were many missed chances. Robbie found his niche as a sweeper/defender, although not between the posts, and Danny reminded us that on these occasions there is all to play for and no prisoners should be taken. More lads welcome for more thrills next week
Thanks again to our Guest writer for penning another modest report

11th October The best footie night for many moons, with three evenly-matched teams displaying great passion, exhilarating pace and sublime skills - the storm before the lull when Houghie returns and we descend to mediocrity.Missing tonight were Johnboy, Paulo and the Westwood boys, but we welcomed back Bud Jackson, Rick Evans after a near-death experience with man-flu, Proudy and Nigel Caldwell, fit again after a wimpish leg injury and some minor work with the New Mills Festival. All three played as if they'd never been away but credit tonight must go to Chris Podmore for an excellent display of attacking verve, fierce dribbling and lethal shooting, albeit occasionally off-target. Overall the reformed Mary's Moaners edged it against Matt's team but a close run thing to which all contributed.

Thanks yet again to our Guest writer for his final effort at journalism - don't give up the day job!!
Also a big thanks to Keith Mastin for his continued expert handling of our finances - Thanks Keith

Keith Mastin
Chris Podmore
Bud Jackson
Paul Garner
Rock Evans

Matt Pink
Dan Bolton
Chris Anthony
Nigel Caldwell
Malc Hough

Sunday 18th October 2009 : How glad am I to be back with the Vets after over a month? Well in spite of a wonderful holiday in the Greek Islands I have to say well chuffed. Carrying a few pounds of extra baggage around an ever expanding waistline didn't prone too much of a handicap for me but, having Matt in my team was a blessing when it came to covering back. I was pleased to see Nigel and Robbie had both made welcome returns while I was away although Robbie has picked up another injury. From all accounts they both played well and Nigel continued to do so tonight with a very effective 90 minutes. The games were very close this evening with both teams taking a best of ten result before Matt's team won the decider with an extremely hard fought Golden Goal winner. Every player on the pitch competed well over the session in what can only be described as a top notch evenings footie played in exceptionally good spirit. Great to be back and looking forward to next week.  NOTE  November 1st (two weeks time) the session will start at 7:00pm as the hall is being used for a Gymnastic Tournament - We will play for 1 Hour unless we have three teams in which case we will play the usual 90 minutes
 

Keith Mastin
John Goodwin
Chris Podmore
Paul Garner

Rick Evans
Dan Bolton
Malc Stubbs
Malc Hough

 NEXT WEEK - WE START AT 7:00pm    LETS SEE AS MANY DOWN AS POSSIBLE