Well, here we go again, into a new season with enthusiasm, optimism and ambition. If we cannot be optimistic this time of the year then we will be sunk without trace when the action starts. However, I thought it an opportunity to be a little bit more light hearted before the trials, tribulations and undoubtably some of the seasons disappointments kick in. There are always some disappointments even in the most successful seasons, it is how we deal with them & how we respond which counts. I can hear you say "If this is light hearted give me a gun before you get serious". Fair enough. So, what have we got to go for this year? Five teams will venture forwards to fly the colours of Long Stratton F.C. The 1st team will be managed by Vic & me with help from Wayne & Kevin. Reserves will be managed again by Rob & Mark with the addition weight of numbers in Archie & Stu. (If those 4 don't count as a "weight of numbers" then I must be slimmer of the year). Then we have the under 12s with Webmaster Steve and Ricky, ably assisted by Nigel. A brand new team formed by Clive & Mark will constitute an adventure into the Under 10s level of football. And last but not least our successful ladies will be managed & run by Cathy &Marie. Training for all mens/boys teams has already begun and everyone is being licked into shape. I am not sure whether the ladies have yet begun their training. The Seniors training sessions have gone well with excellent work by Robbo who has been well assisted by Danny, Vic, Rob & yours truly. Hopefully this shared arrangement can continue especially whilst I am unavailable. My personal ambition this year is to get fit enough to once again challenge for a place on the 1st team bench. My last appearance was the season before last when I made a brief appearance at Mundford and was involved in two serious moves. The first was falling over and the second was getting up again. I would like to improve on that before I fully retire. Luckily my daughter has just acquired a position running a new transplant department at a hospital in Kent. I have already ordered 2 new legs, a lower back and a new 3 piece suite. Please don't ask for details. Anyway real football is just around the corner with a Res team friendly at home on Wed 30.7.08 against Harleston @ 6.30p.m. Followed by a home game for the 1st team the following night against St.Johns. Both teams will be meeting a number of new opponents this season.The Res having moved up a Division and the 1st team seeing 5 new additions/changes to Div 1.
So what else is going on. Well within months the Playing Fields will be home to a new Multiplay Area which will be available to the Football Club and the General Public. The location will be the existing tennis courts plus an additional lump giving an overall area of circa 58m x 36m. This means we will have to move our existing training area to be located between the new Multiplay and the Western pitch. I have been in many discussions with the Parish Council to try and ensure we get what we need to be fully operational throughout and maintain most of what we had but undoubtably there will be some disruption. Compared to some of their original ideas it will be far less invasive. Some battles have been won & some are still to be fought and decided. Unfortunately not all our suggestions have been taken up but some things are out of our control. Although the Multiplay Arena will be marked for various sports e.g. Football, Tennis, Basketball, & maybe hockey, the council have decided not to have any goals!!. (your guess is as good as mine). Basketball rings have been contentious in the past because they are easily vandalised. So why not follow this logic through and dispose of any tennis nets? This may turn out to be a far sighted strategy by the Council in creating a truly Multiplay, multisport area and a win-win situation ( or should I say, a no lose situation). No goals, No nets, No winners, No losers. No-one will ever be sure of the result. "I think it was 14 each, no sorry it was nil,nil". Without goals and objectives you could play 3 or 4 sports at once. You could kick, dunk, hit with a stick, volley with a racquet all in the same game. Why not chuck in mixed multiple rules, "It would have been deuce but you were offside". Brilliant. It could be a free for all. We could make up some new rules. "Placing your hockey stick between anothers buttocks is acceptable as long as you are not seeking to gain an advantage". You could introduce Rugby for all ages. Again no posts required. To score you just have to drop kick the smallest lad over the fence. Obviously 50% would end up in the gardens next door but just go around the next day and say "can we have our boy back". On a serious note, to try and influence some decisions I have to admit getting as close as possible to the people involved on the Parish Council. So much so that I have a suspicion that the Chairman of the Council is going to ask me to go on holiday with him any day now. I have to say that although he is a very nice chap there is a limit to my dedication to L.S.F.C. I have also had many discussions with the clerk to the Council. We live physically close but are mentally planets apart. I am not sure that we even speak the same language. My questions are varied but the answer is always the same "that is what the council decided" (think dalek) Anyway, onwards & upwards. We should have a great season ahead of us. There are mountains to climb, rivers to cross... "cut out the c... this is a football website".
Right then this bit is serious. Lets make sure we all prepare as well as possible both on and off the field. Lets ensure we play every game in the right spirit, win, lose or draw and enhance the reputation of the club in whatever we do and wherever we go. Yes, winning and being successful is important but enjoy the game, work hard for yourself and your team mates, accept decisions and hopefully the results will follow. The mens teams also have a responsibility to the young lads to show the right attitude. We are all role models for good or bad. Past examples of downing cans of lager alongside the pitch must remain in the past. We do influence how the younger players act. It is also against the Playing Field Rules and can reduce our standing and reputation in any negotiations with the Council. I can make good arguments if I think the Council make bad decisions. I cant if we make them. We have "Codes of Conduct" in place on the changing room walls for everyone involved at the club. Players and officials alike. Don't leave them there, take them into the game with you (no doubt some idiot is already mentally removing the drawing pins).
Give it all you've got and good luck.
Brian
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