The Christmas do was a good night out and it was great to see so many of the lads turn up to celebrate together. We had a top notch Indian meal and followed on to a couple of bars… that’s as much as I remember anyway. Thanks to Ed Sutcliffe for organising. We will have to get something else sorted out for the end of January or maybe early February. Training is important for team spirit, but nights out together is a close second in my opinion!
The date is the 12th of January and it is exactly one month since our last game. The weather has played havoc with all local fixtures (and indeed nationally) and it’s perhaps a good thing that we managed to get so many games played in the early part of the season as otherwise we’d perhaps be playing into June and I would almost certainly have to miss my honeymoon!
We only had one month rest at the end of last season, so it’s scary to think how the fitness of the lads will be holding up, especially after a Christmas of alcohol / turkey / mince pie consumption! We have, thanks to Jimmy Hupton, managed to hold some sort of training in an indoor facility for the last couple of weeks which has been useful to shake the cobwebs and give some of the lads a chance to play a bit of football.
Our last result was the worst that I’ve endured at Flotman, both as a player and as a manager. To be on the end of a five goal mauling is never nice, but the nature in which we lost so heavily was the most disappointing part. I think we had about seven absences, with work commitments, injuries and shopping trips the reasons. We ended up turning up to East Harling with 12 players, one of which had to run the line as I was at the time dependent on crutches. Whenever a player went down injured I had to throw the magic sponge to whoever was nearest as it would’ve taken me an hour to get to the player. It was a shambles from start to finish and I felt it necessary to apologise to the lads afterwards. Don’t get me wrong, the performance on the pitch was poor, and we were players short, but I have to take the majority of blame as the manager for poor preparation. It is though, as they say, a learning curve, and you can learn more about yourself and the players in your team from a defeat than you can from a win. I certainly think that I learned a lot that day.
I think that maybe I have placed too much emphasis on getting results and not enough on enjoyment. I’ve maybe been too harsh on the players after a poor result, or at half time in some games. Personally, as a player, winning was all that mattered and it never really concerned me if the rest of the lads were enjoying it, I just enjoyed winning. I wanted to play every game and would almost split up with the missus if she dared to do something silly like plan a weekend away during the season! It’s difficult to strike the right balance and I maybe need to accept that my attitude towards the game and winning is not always shared by all of the players. It’s easy to forget that players at this club have to pay to play and perhaps, given that, they are entitled to simply enjoy themselves and not have any pressure put on them from me regarding the way they perform or their commitment to the club? Whether I’m right or wrong, I’d certainly like some feedback from the lads at some point, as it’s something I’ve been pondering over the last few weeks (nothing else to do!!).
One piece of bad news from 2009 was the departure of Owen Southgate to our local rivals Long Stratton. Owen has his reasons, and although I don’t agree with them I wish him all the best. It means that we’ve lost a good utility player, someone who was an important part of our defence and someone who had ran some good training sessions from time to time. We may also be losing Steve Kelly. Steve is an excellent winger (and whinger!), and a lovely lad and he’ll be missed. We always knew we’d lose players this year. It’s hard to keep everyone happy with team selections and training requirements etc. and players like this need to be replaced, and rather than look to sign someone from elsewhere, I would prefer this season to see someone step up from within the club. It’s only fair that they are given the chance and we know that there is quality within the Reserve Team and players there who can step up to perform in the Anglian Combination.
One piece of good news is the return of Jesse Payne-Wilkins from America. Jesse was our leading goal scorer last season and I’m delighted to have him back. He’s got energy to burn, takes people on and scores goals and can be a really important player for us for the rest of the season. He will have to get a job to be able to pay the match fees though, so if anyone has anything going get in touch!
Our Reserve Team are flying at the moment with some good results over the teams above them in the league they’ve pushed themselves into a good position with promotion and perhaps silverware looking a real possibility. Baker has done a good job in selecting good teams week in week out and has overcome the regular problem of losing players to the First Team well.
Hopefully 2010 will be another great year for Newton Flotman FC. We will do everything we can to make sure that the players enjoy their football at this club and in return we hope we can get more commitment from players when it comes to training and matches. With luck we’ll be playing again shortly and from the restart we hope that the players, management and staff all pull together to make the season a success for both sides. Come on you Horsemen!
November 2009
What a difference a couple of months makes! Since being knocked out of both cups in September the First Team are on an 8 game unbeaten run which has seen us climb to third in the league, albeit having played more games than the teams around us, but it's still a nice position to be in. The injury problems are still hampering us but fortunately we are now blessed with such a large squad of quality players that we are able to cope with any eventuality. Indeed some players have been called up to the First Team from the Reserves and have performed very well, and some players have gone from the Firsts to the Reserves and helped them to win three on the bounce.
Last month I complained a bit about training attendances, and with the promise that those who did not bother to attend would find themselves out of the First Team side. This happened with one or two players and we saw an immediate and positive response. I am not naive enough to expect players to attend every session but I do expect some commitment to it. It has been much better of late, although it remains to be seen how the worsening weather will affect numbers. What I find most satisfying is the intent to train. Players now genuinely want to turn up on a Wednesday night to work hard, and when they cannot, they communicate that fact to me and the reason why. As I've said before, work must always come first! Until Flotman find an Abramovich, players have to pay match fees, if they're not working they can't afford them and the club ends up the loser.
Just to clarify a bit on the training situation, just because a player turns up every single week doesn't automatically give him selection for the First Team starting line up. Other factors are always considered. Fitness, tactics and form also come into the equation. Sometimes you might feel unlucky to find yourself on the bench or out of the squad entirely, especially if you've been training regularly and somebody else has been to 1 in 2, but as Manager I must always try to make the best decision for the club as a whole. Players should know that if they do have any concerns or queries then they can always speak to me, or Baker, Brian or their respective Captains.
A few congratulations are in order: Ed has managed to get himself engaged and he and his fiancee have bought a house together in Mulbarton and shall be moving in shortly. Rumour has it that there were other houses in other villages that they could have gone for but Ed was keen to keep the commute to home games down to a minimum. Nick Appleton has finally got a girlfriend! We were unsure whether it would ever happen but he's managed it and the lady in question has even been to see him play on a few occasions! Apparently Jake has been on a few dates lately but when I've asked if I can tag along, for some reason he tries to put me off! Can't imagine why! Finally, after a few weeks in the unemployment wilderness Snape Dogg has found himself another job, and with it a new company car. He was mulling over the options with me and I believe that there was VW Golf and a couple of other sporty numbers in consideration before the company told him he was to have a people carrier! We're not bothered though, with 7 seats it's perfect for transporting half the squad to those away games!
The Christmas night out is taking place on December 5th. The plan is to meet at the Kings Arms on Hall Road at around 6:30-7pm before walking down to Oasis curry house on Queens Road for a healthy "ruby" and some "britneys"! Every player and club member is invited so please let either myself or Ed know if you are coming or not as soon as possible.
The website is coming along but it still needs more information, photographs and input from everyone. If you do have anything you'd like to see or add to the site, please email me at dannygaskin@hotmail.com.
Let's all keep up the good work and good attitudes and make this season one to remember! COME ON YOU HORSEMEN!!!
October 2009
The season has so far been one of ups and downs. We came into the season confident and full of expectations, and with a good pre-season in which we beat teams in the leagues above us we could have been forgiven for thinking we were going to do well this season. Unfortunately it hasn't panned out that well so far, and as I write we are currently lying 7th, having played 9, won 4, draw 2 and lost 3. We are also out of both cups, although a good finish in the league was always our priority. It is my belief that we are the best team in this league, but due to certain circumstances we haven't been in a position to show that so far.
Injuries have blighted us. In any given week we are missing 3 or 4 players through injuries. Add those to the players on holiday or working and you could be looking at playing a game with no fewer than 8 players missing, as has happened on a couple of occasions so far this season. Luckily we are fortunate enough to have a strong squad, and the players who have been called up to the First Team from the Reserves have done very well and it's great to see that most players have the right attitude at the club and are prepared to play for both teams if required. In the games themselves we have struggled to finish opposition teams off on occasion, we've conceded some sloppy goals and some unbelievable goals. We've often outplayed our opponents but failed to kill the game off and been punished because of it.
If I have to moan about anything this season it would be the attendance to training. We have to work on certain things on the training pitch to take out onto the pitch on a Saturday, but when you only have 5 or 6 First Team players turning up, it becomes very difficult to do anything worthwhile. You will always get the good excuses, and work commitments and family will always come first, but when players don't turn up because their team are playing in the Champions League or they don't fancy getting muddy on a Wednesday night then that cannot be accepted. It is vital for team spirit throughout the club that players turn up to train together on a Wednesday night, to work on fitness, touch and game situations. It is not fair on those who attend every week for a player to walk straight into the team on a Saturday if they never turn up to training. I have decided to take a hard line on this, and those who do not follow will find themselves dropped from the side in favour of a more committed player.
With more effort and commitment we can achieve something this season, but we have to do it together.
July 2009
As I write it's the end of June and we've had 8 weeks of pre-season training so far. The players seem to be fit and ready for the season, although it's impossible to tell whether they're match fit until the friendlies get under way. Our friendly fixture list is looking busy, with 6 games between the 1st of August and the start of the season on the 18th. With around 40 players to choose from, this will give me plenty of opportunity to have a good look at everybody as I start to decide on my team for the opening game of the season.
To be honest i'm itching to start the season now. Training is ok, but it can never replicate the excitement of a game. I know this sentiment is shared by many of the players, which is good news because they'll need to be up for the challenge if we are to have a successful season!
Unfortunately I have some bad news. Without warning George Watts has left the club and signed on for Hempnall FC. The fact that Georgie wants to play at a higher standard is admirable and something that I would always encourage, I just wish he would have told me himself so I could have wished him luck personally. That said, myself, and everybody at the club wish Georgie all the best at his new club and thank him for everything he did for Newton Flotman Football Club.
June 2009
So pre-season training has started and already I've seen the benefit of the wonderful coaching methods of Owen Southgate and Brian .... They're there hours before commencement, setting out the cones, ladders and goals and each session is planned meticulously. Having discussed pre-season training with them both I am excited about the sessions that we have coming up in the future and hope to continue to see as many people as I have done this month (an average of 22). I know that there are many players still to come in later in the summer so things are looking good for both the First Team and the Reserves!
Apart from that there's not much to report. We hope to make more signings in the next few weeks and will post details of which when they happen.
May 2009
The season finished and we were left wondering whether 6th place would be good enough to get the First Team promoted to Division 3 of the Anglian Combination. We'd all heard the rumours about the jigging around of the Premier Division, and we'd all looked at some of the uneven leagues above and hoped that we might be fortunate enough to benefit from it and thankfully we were. Promotion is a major boost for the club, and fully deserved by the club members, players and supporters who have put so much into the club.
News of the promotion was announced at the End of the Season Presentation Evening. Our annual Presentation Evening was held at The Mill Inn, Saxlingham Thorpe. First Team Player's Player was won by Nick Appleton, and it was by quite a distance. Nick really took over the show in the second half of the season and began to boss games in the midfield, creating chances for others and popping up with a few goals of his own too. The Manager's award was given to Mark Sutcliffe (Ed). Ed had a difficult season really, having to play alongside several different players, having to move across the back 3 to accomodate other players and having to cope with quite a few injuries too. He managed to work through all of this, and he led, organised and battled his way to the Manager's Award. Jesse Payne-Wilkins won Leading Goalscorer with 17 goals which was a pretty good total for a player who was used in pretty much every position on the pitch. The Supporters Player of the Season Award, voted for by the fans... (Graham and Fred) was given to Tom Bridges (Stubbsy). Their reason was his total commitment to the cause, which I for one, could never falter.
Pre-season training begins in June, so there's not much time to rest, but with a big season ahead i'm not sure I want to rest too much, I'd much rather get back amongst it as soon as possible!
April 2009
So, Hindringham called off, the Mattishall game was rained off and we had to face Easton (a team who had beaten us 5-0 earlier in the season) having not played for a couple of weeks. We could have been forgiven for being a little bit rusty, but, thanks to some excellent training sessions put on by Owen and Brian there was little lacking in terms of match sharpness and we went on to win 5-1, putting in a quality performance for much of the game.
6 wins from 6 and the we're flying. Confidence is high, there's a buzz about the club and i'm genuinely delighted to be a part of it. Of course, there are slight rumours that the reason we've won 6 in a row is down to me... down to me not playing!!! I might be inclined to agree actually!
In terms of club structure we have Graham the Chairman, Fred the Treasurer/Secretary, Owen and Brian the Coaches, me as First Team Manager and Baker as Reserve Team Manager. A lot of work has been going on behind the scenes in terms of helping the club to firstly secure their future, and secondly expand. Talks are currently taking place with the FA about trying to gain funding for ground improvements etc. and for the possibility of earning our Charter Standard Award.
In addition to this, we have a lot to thank Baker for, as he has thus far been ensuring that the lines have been marked out on the pitch, and that the changing rooms are in an acceptable state for us to change in. On May 9th we are having a "Newton Flotman FC Maintenance Day" where we need as many people as possible to help us in digging a drainage ditch, cleaning and painting the changing rooms and generally preparing the facilities for the start of next season. There are a number of activities taking place at the club in the summer months which provides the club with much needed funds, and we need to ensure that the facilities are looking their best so we can continue to receive that in years to come.
I've been very fortunate to have been helped over the last few weeks by my good friend Matty Grimmer. His enthusiasm and willingness to help have been much appreciated and he has also brought some unique humour to training (like turning up in 3 quarter cargo shorts and splitting them from a*s* to ankle and constantly spouting quotes from the Rocky films to motivate players)! Laurence Appleton is kind enough to run the line each game, a job that nobody else really likes doing, but he seems to have the same enthusiasm in that as the players have on the pitch. I still count on help from the players when they can provide it. Whether that be turning up early to help put the nets up, helping to sweep the changing rooms or offering to wash the kit, it all helps and is always appreciated.
Let's keep this going! COME ON YOU HORSEMEN!!!
March 2009
Well, it's been an eventful few weeks hasn't it?! In the middle of February, Sid and Trevor called it a day and I decided that I would step up and ensure that the lads still had something to do on a Saturday afternoon other than play Call of Duty. I have personally thanked Sid and Trev for all of their hard work over the last couple of years or so. Having played for them over the last few years I'm really sorry to see them go, but am grateful for all that they've done for me and for the club. They've helped build the foundations of what I see as a promising club, and I hope that they keep in touch with us all to see us continue to grow over the coming seasons.
My first game in charge was at home to Foulsham, on February 21st. They had beaten us 1-0 three weeks earlier, in the close run game where I suffered my umpteenth knee injury that has probably ended yet another season prematurely for me. Revenge was not on my mind, but I did feel confident that we would win this one (probably because I wasn’t on the pitch to mess things up for the other lads!) and I wasn’t wrong as we ran out 2-1 winners. I really couldn’t have asked for more from the lads as they fought their way to victory on a difficult pitch against a team who nearly always get the better of us. Mark Appleton scored a delightful lob from 25 yards and Snape Dogg scored a (in his own words “bullet”) poachers header. If I were handing out bottles of champagne for the star players in this game I’d be skint, as all performed outstandingly, but special mention would have to go to Jake in goal, Rixy in the midfield and Owen Southgate, who perhaps had his best game of the season to date playing holding midfield.
Next up was the away trip to St. Andrews on February 28th. We struggled to get going and create as many chances as we would have liked, but a great finish from Snape Dogg was enough to win the game and give us 9 points from 3 games. Nick Appleton was the Man of The Match in this one for a quality performance throughout. Special mention would have to go to Lewis, firstly for his underwear dilemma pre-game, and secondly for the miss of the century, where he somehow put the ball over the bar from under the line! It was a comical moment, which was relived and retold countless times during our team night out.
March 7th saw us take the short trip to high-flying Harleston. Injuries and absences saw call ups for Richard Wallis to replace Jake in goal, and David Burgess come into the squad from the reserve team after glowing reports from their manager. He didn’t disappoint, as he scored within 5 minutes and continued to terrorise Harleston throughout 90 minutes. After half an hour we were 2-0 up, when Luke swung in a free-kick (which was much better than his effort on goal a few minutes earlier) and Jesse, one of the shortest men on the pitch, rose like a stickleback and nodded in at the back post. Harleston continued to try to play to their strengths, and as almost every ball in the air was being won by them, they constantly looked to put the ball into our box at the earliest opportunity. Thankfully, Nick Eagle, Luke and Ed stood strong, and Rich Wallis was up to the challenge when called upon. In the 2nd half, the stickleback from the first became an octopus, as it was his dangling leg that tripped the Harleston striker to give them a penalty and a lifeline back into the game. They duly despatched and it seemed to be squeaky bum time for a little while, until Snape Dogg set Stubbs through one-on-one with the keeper and he slotted it past him to make the score 3-1! The “giddy-up horsey” celebrations were a sight to behold as Stubbsy announced our return to using our nickname, “The Horsemen” in style! More comedy ensued, only this time in our box, as Nick Appleton decided he wanted to make the score look a little more even, somehow putting the ball into his own net… the idiot!
So, all-in-all it’s been a successful month in terms of results. It was great to see the Chairman at the Harleston game, and he enjoyed it as much as the lads did.
Training will be on Wednesday nights for the foreseeable future, starting at 7pm, and I hope that as many people can attend as possible. Owen has been taking the sessions and I have been very impressed thus far. Much of the session is centred around SAQ training techniques (Speed Agility and Quickness) used by professional clubs (football and egg chasing) throughout the country, with a great deal of ball work and the obligatory helping of fun thrown in.
