In July 07, two months before the first game of the season, pre-season training began at the Heath Extension with regulars such as Mitch, Mike and Stif as keen as ever to lose some weight.
The friendy matches, which mixed the Phoenix and the Allstar players, were pretty average. A couple of wins against easy opposition, then a 4-0 drubbing from some 3rd division Jewish team, was a big wake up call for the Allstars. We finished off with a good performance against Dave Ossack’s other team, which we should have won but ended up drawing 3-3.
When Phil Glyn asked Eko of Red Star, in late July, if he wanted a pre-season friendly, his response was one of surprise:-
“blimey, you’re keen aren’t you?
No chance we will get 11 players until the week before the season starts. Have you got your eyes on our title then?”
Oh the irony of that comment….
The first fixture was a tough one for the Allstars. Against Outback, traditionally the closest team to Red Stars dominance and only missed out by a whisker on the title last year, by losing in the final game of the season to Red Star themselves.
The morning after Glyn’s 30th birthday White Party (half the squad were battered) was not ideal timing and preparation for the game, and there were a worrying number of green faces on the Allstars team, before kick off.
There was one face that was not familiar at kick off, and that was “Mike’s mate” called Ricky. He played for the club a fair few years ago, but hadn’t been seen since. Mike said “he’s good, trust me”. That turned out to be a fairly useful recruit…
Although the Gowers started badly, however after 30 mins, they came more into the game and the teams were pretty even after 30 mins, when the Allstars went a goal down. Medley and Kelly combined well to bring the Gowers back in the game, with a classy dink over the keeper from Kelly, and the 2nd half was dominated by the Stars, who created several chances, most notably a bullet shot from Medley that rebounded off the post across the line, but not in. The game however was lost to an 86th minute break away goal from Outback, which sickened the Gowers to the core, and would be a loss they would not forget for 7 months….
The freshly promoted Gowers had as tough an opening 3 games as you get. Outback, followed by Virgin followed by Red Star – arguably the top three sides in the premier division. So the loss in the opening game, rang alarm bells for the team, who could easily have found themselves at the foot of the table, with 3 losses out 3.
But the Gowers bounced back in style, and delivered a top performance against a solid established Virgin side. Fine counter-attacking goals from Medley and Kelly and compact defending from what was to become the first choice back four of Capone, Ossack, Glyn and Chittenden, gave the Gowers a 4-1 victory, but it was the excellent midfield battling of Ricky and Street that stood out for the boys in maroon – winning loose ball, tackling hard and turning defence into attack to great effect. That victory was the start of something special…
With a good win and 3pts under their belts, the Gowers could go into the grudge match against the 6 time (consecutive) champions Red Star, with confidence and belief. This was the match the Gowers most wanted to win. After losing out on the treble after penalties in the MA Cup final last year, the Allstars had a score to settle…
Although Gowers burst into the game from the first whistle, with two blistering shots from Medley, they in fact got off to possibly the worst start of the season, with mistakes at the back that gave Red Star a two goal lead after only 20 mins….Testiment to their strength of character, the Gowers bounced back with a penalty from Ricky, and another goal from Kelly, which levelled the scores at half time. Belief was high in the Gower camp, that despite their formidable record, Red Star were there for the taking. They were winning the midfield battle, very dangerous upfront and defending somewhat un-orthodoxally but enough to give them a platform on which to create chances.
But this game turned on the performance of one man, Ricky Warren. With good support from Mitchell, he took on the three man Red Star and beat them - whether it was a header, a sliding tackle, an excellent pass, great control, Ricky always had it in the locker, and led by example.
65 mins in, the Gowers got what they deserved when Glyn bulleted a header from a Ricky corner, to give them a 3-2 lead, and the victory was signed and sealed when Kelly showed great skill to lob his defender and the oncoming keeper, to make the final score 4-2.
This was a simply epic performance which turned the league on its head, and made all the teams in the division, stand up and take note of what became the serious threat of the mighty Gower Allstars.
One week later, and the Gowers class was even more evident when they destroyed a mediocre Crown & Goose side 6-2, with goals from Kelly, Ricky, 2 from Medley, Botterill and a ridiculous strike from Duggan, outside the area, possibly goal of the season. But this was the first time in the season, that Dave Botterill’s team mates realised just what an asset he is to the side. His control, and touch were a different gravy, to everyone else on the pitch – and he was a deserving man of the match.
A group cup match then saw the Gowers demolish a poor Clissold Thistle side 8-0, which filled the team with confidence for the following weeks league match against Music Choice. The Music Choice game had an unfamiliar back four, but the front 6 were too hot to handle that day –again summed by an outstanding first half performance at left midfield from Dave Botterill. He continually opened up Music Choice, who simply couldn’t cope with his pace and skill, and ended up with a headed goal for his superb efforts. Further goals from the ever threatening Kelly, and Medley, closed out the game 3-1 and put the Gowers top of the table with 12pts out of possible 15.
October 28th saw the most farcical game of the season, when Gowers went to Hampstead Heath to take on a strong and competitive Tufnell Park Rangers. With a few drop outs, again Gowers fielded a few unfamiliar faces and positions – and one of those Jamie Paley, playing upfront finished in style to give the Gowers a deserved lead. Some really solid defending by Glyn and his back four, prevented TPR from finding any real rhythm or momentum and early in the 2nd half, Kelly slickly beat his marker to skip away down the right and finish powerfully, beneath the keeper to give the Gowers a lead they would so desperately need in the following 30 mins. That was because, Kelly, who was booked for apparently time wasting in his celebration, then applauded the referee for what can only be described as the 2nd worst booking of all time. It was the 2nd worst booking, because the worst came within 10 seconds, after he then sent Kelly off for clapping the booking. Just farcical. Down to 10 men, the Gowers were in control, after Blandy came back from injury and held the front line excellently. But the task became that much more difficult, when Glyn tore his ligaments in a standard jump, landing full weight on the side of his ankle, and injury which would put the captain out of action for 3 months. With no more subs, the Gowers were down to 9. The story did not end there. Capone at left back, then lost his cool and threw the ball in the face of his opposite number. Red card followed, and the Gowers were now down to 8 and desperate times followed. Any more off, and the game would have been forfeited due to lack of numbers. A goal was then conceded, to make it 2-1 with 10 mins to go, but heroic defending from all the team, kept TPR out, and the Allstars earned a monumental victory and took an invaluable 3pts to extend their lead at the top of table.
The next two weeks were full of skills and dominance in the group cup. A match winning performance from Kelly secured a 4-1 win against Crown& Goose, which was followed by top performances from Botterill & a hatrick from Medley against Music Choic’e to put the Gower Allstars through to the quarter-finals of the group cup.
The next 2 weeks were the Allstars most important of the season so far. Virgin in the league, and a group cup quarter final against their arch enemies Red Star.
Since their defeat earlier in the season to Gower, Virgin had been on fire demolishing every one in their path, including Outback 7-0 in the cup – so they were well up for revenge against the Premiership newcomers. However the Gowers not only absorbed all the pressure that Virgin could possibly through at them, but also out-thought, out-classed and out-performed the long-standing Premier division opponents with a 4-1 superb win, with notable MOTM performances from the stamina of Durrant and the skill of Blandy who were superb throughout.
The following week, saw the Gowers pit themselves against Red Star, who were gunning for the Allstars. In a closely fought contest, the Gowers lost to the ever reliable Red Star 2-1, with the strongest Gower display coming the Chittenden, who gave an A class performance at right back – both defending and attacking.
The turn of the year, saw the Allstars top of the league, with Red Star and Outback still have to play each other twice.
After an exciting Gower Cup match, in which Mitch and Medley outfought the Phoenix to give the Allstars a 5-3 win, the Gowers then marched on into 2008 with a last minute winner against Music Choice, 4-3. These kind of matches are turning points in a season – letting a two goal lead slip away, down to 10 men, and Medley pops up in the last minute to scramble a goal home. This goal was arguably the most important of the season because Red Star had just been trounced 4-2 by Outback, moments before the Gowers kicked off against Music Choice – but thanks to the likes of Blandy, Botterill, and Medley who were constant threats throughout the game, and especially Mitchell who had an outstanding game, this game gave the Gowers the 3pts they desperately needed.
The Gowers concentration however was focused on the week after, the big one, Red Star away in the league.
No team had ever beaten Red Star twice in one season, wasn’t it about time?
3rd Feb saw the Allstars captain return to the side for the biggest match of the season so far, and he put in a proper A class performance against a determined attacking Red Star side. In an epic battle in which Botterill was put out of action for 2 months, the Gowers took the lead 3 times, only for Red Star to battle back each and every time. At 3-2, the Allstars lost their keeper Paley to a nasty collision and brilliant heroic save, all-in-one. After a brief appearance in goal, Glyn managed to brutally injure his ear, and let in a goal at the same time, with 20 mins remaining. With only 10 men, no keeper, and the scores level at 3-3, there was only one likely loser of this game….
Or was there…
Against all the momentum and pressure on the Gower goal, the ball broke with another great clearance from Ossack, to Rene, who found Ricky, and he then took it wide, and pelted in a long reaching left foot cross, which found the only player fit enough to make it into the box – Durrant – who then incredibly half-volleyed the ball into the roof of the net from 10 yards, much to the astonishment of his opponents and even his team-mates. Gowers then secured victory 4-3 and effectively wrote off Red Star’s title bid by leaving them 9 points behind the mighty Allstars.
The Gowers challenge continued with another tough league match at home to an ever-improving TPR side, who had strength in all departments. It became clear that there was an air of arrogance and complacency with the Gowers after their monumental victory the week before, and TPR could sense it. They were quicker to the ball, and arguably hungrier to win. Nevertheless the Gowers had match winners all over the pitch, the most unlikely of which came from Chittenden at right-back, who scored a 40 yard free-kick, looping into the roof of the net. Two further goals from Ricky, saw the Gowers leading, against the run of play 3-2 with 10 mins to go. An usual mix-up at the back between Glyn, Milburn and Paley let the nippy TPR striker in behind who finished from a tight angle. 3-3 was a fair but undesirable result for the league leaders, and gave Outback in 2nd place, a decent opportunity to over-take the Gowers, were they to beat them in two weeks time.
A 5-2 drubbing of Crown and Goose, in a friendly in the weeks between, saw Capone achieve a well worthy MOTM award, and the introduction of a new talent in Johnny Hurly at left midfield. It was to be a significant new addition to the squad.
The following week, was effectively the league title decider against Outback. A win and they all but secure the league, lose and they have it all to do in the last 3 games. It was worthy of a special Glyn psyche up – with words to the effect of “This will be your greatest footballing achievement of your life, without question….Every one of you needs to be hungrier than you have ever been before. Making that last ditch tackle, making that genius pass, banging in that winner for the Allstars that won them the league.”
And boy did it work. Having not been at the races for the past few weeks, it was so important for the Gowers to get back to playing classy winning football, and with a practically full Gower Allstars squad for the first time in weeks, it returned with style.
In the 3 years of management, never have I witnessed a more complete performance from a Gower side. Impenetrable at the back, so strong in midifield, and deadly upfront – all of which resulted in a 5-1 drubbing of their nearest rivals.
Blandy, was blissful on the wing play, Hurly clinical with two class goals, Botterill was immense after a stunning come back after a month of injury, and Capone put in a picture perfect left back performance, and yet again the beast himself led by example. Ricky Warren not only scored two great crucial goals, but also his all round dominance of the midfield showed that he was possibly the most influential player in the whole MA league.
This win was monumental, mesmeric and arguably the most important in the clubs history – as it all but secured the teams Premiership title. One more win, from three remaining games, was going to be enough.
And next up were a resilient and famously aggressive Jubilee. On a terrible day of weather, the Gowers needed one more monumental push, even if it had to be in the puddles of Ranulf Road.
The return of the ever-reliable Street and Gladstone, added experience and energy to the side, with Hurly on the left wing, added a touch of class and proper skill. Make no mistake the 10-men Jubilee side were well up for this. They were strong in the tackle, determined in the midfield, and solid at the back. An early goal for Gowers, should have settled the nerves, but an uncharacteristic mistake in goal from Paley, let the opposition back in the game at 1-1. The minutes ticked by worryingly for the Gowers, as no real opportunities were taken. That was until the 80th minute, when Medley, on his 7th attempt, burst the roof of the net with a stunning 20-yard strike from a tight angle. The Allstars hung on for the momentous 3 points and the joy and elation was there for all to see, none more so than the beast himself who, after the final whistle, dived topless into a puddle of rain on the pitch in celebration of winning the title.
That special goal marked the greatest moment in Gower history – securing the Premier Division title, for the first time. It made MA history too, as the Gower Allstars became the first newly promoted team to win the title. A feat that is unlikely to ever be repeated. Gowers Allstars you are legends. Remember that. Treasure that.
Allstars, look what you achieved in the past 2 years.Div 1 League winners,Divisional Cup winners,MA Cup finalists,and now Premier League CHAMPIONS in your first season in the top flight – incredible.Your achievements have been nothing short of magnificent, and I write this as one immensely proud manager, and team-mate. What a season to remember.
Special mention must go to Russ Klinger (AKA Russaldinho), who after 3 top seasons with the Gowers, and as the oldest outfield player in the squad at the grand old age of 48, retires from regular 11 a side footie (although he’ll still help us out when needed). He has been an example to us all, on how to keep fit, how to leave defenders dazzled, how to score crucial cup winning goals, oh and also how to be the greediest f*ck in the side, and without the question more most unhumorous. Russ, in all seriousness, thank you for playing your part in this success story – we honestly couldn’t have done it without you – and for that, the club (and me) will always be in your debt.
Gentlemen, with the Phoenix now promoted to the Premier Division, this whole club is brimming with talent, enthusiasm and comradary. Together, this league is ready and waiting for Gowers domination. Stay fit, stay committed and success will come our way again.
So its now time for your votes for the all important Players Awards 2007-8.
Please email back the person of your choice next to the number e.g. 1, Mitch etc...
1) Most committed player 2007-8
(a) Mitch – lives, breathes and bleeds Gower – puts his all into every game (and every email post match), and earned himself a couple of MOTM performances, eventhough sometimes he gives his team-mates a heart-attack, when dribbling out of his area.
(b) Capone – in his first season, he never let his side down, including on the socials. Playing nearly every game, he became first choice left back and a nightmare for players to beat.
(c) Kelly – with bundles of crucial goals and assists earlier in the season, and missing hardly any game or social, he became central to Gowers success. With some end of season heroics in goal, he showed his versatility and commitment to the side.
(d) Paley – with every injury possible, this 50-yr old bionic man continues to defy logic by turning out week on week for the Allstars. Yes, there were a couple of uncharacteristically dodgy moments, but so many times did he save the Gowers with his reactions and brevity.
2) Player of the Season 2007-8
(a) Dave Botterill – without question the most skilful player at the club. When on the ball, he is almost unstoppable. Made a huge impact on each and every game he played for the Gowers – and his penetration was so clear for all to see – never disappointing his team mates – and a joy to watch - all in his first season.
(b) Tim Medley – a constant threat to every defence he played against. The clubs top scorer and almost the league’s. With so many crucial goals at crucial times, Medley deserves to be nominated for Player of the Season.
(c) Ricky Warren – in his first full season, Ricky became the linch pin of the Allstars side. You could play him anywhere on the pitch as he has every asset to his all-round game. With 16 goals from central midfield, the question is who is more valuable Ronaldo or Ricky? Arguably the league’s most influential player, on many occasions he won us several matches single handedly.
Presentations to be made this coming Saturday 10th May 4pm following the Gower Cup at Campdale Rd, Tufnell Park....
