As a kid I represented Bexley District, North Kent and Kent Schools. Played for Kingfisher through most of my Junior life, had a little bash at Charlton but was not good enough (like most)
As an adult (Saturdays)- 2 seasons with Wealdstone(93-95), 3 games for Erith & Belvedere (On loan from Wealdstone), Erith Town, Fleetdown Utd, Old Bexlians, Bexlians.
As an adult (Sundays) - I think I've got them all - The Bull Pub, London Club, Eltham Royals, Woodside Celtic, plus cameo appearances for quite a few others inc The Mighty Albany Rangers. Also played for the Charlton Supporters Club in the early days with a few of you boys, and CIFC at Coldharbour.
I've now hung my boots up to concentrate on coaching and managing. I spent 08/09 & 09/10 with Belvedere Res where we finshed 3rd (08/09) and runners up (09/10). I left Belvedere to take over Bexlians Fc 1st team affairs who play in the Kent County League Div 2 West. Currently doing nicely.
Played primary and secondary schools, keeper in my secondary school, both in the age group above, not due to my blinding talent, rather the lack of it in the school! Played for chelsfield for about 3 years.
Nothing after school, then moved to oz when I was 20. Played in the west australian league for 2 seasons in every position, including keeper in 1 game after he got sent off after 15 minutes! needless to say we lost that one!
The boys over here i played with and against in the W.A league formed a 5 a side team 11 years ago, the mighty P.L.I. We play midweek at a sports centre here in perth, and I love it more than ever! We win most seasons and i have the honour of scoring a hat trick in this years final, not bad for a lump ofa defender!
I think we are the only social 5 a side team that has kit sponsorship from the boozer we drink at after the game!
The now elaborate fine system we have run for 4 years funds the boys trip for a week away every year, bali, phuket, koi samui and bali again, messy affairs!
I'm 39 in may, the rest of the boys are in there early 30's so it's getting harder for me to recover now. But they are going to have to drag me kicking and screaming to get me off the pitch!
[cite]Posted By: Ketman[/cite]Now play Vets for LTSB Goalden Oldies, we have assembled quite a side now, this season we have played 13 Games & won all of them so far. .
...that's not quite true - coz we've beaten you 1-0 this season !
....but fully expect you to turn us over this weekend !!!
Playing-Primary School- Dulwich Hamlet Juniors, had to give up early - heart defect (svt). Also suffered from a lack of pace. Played Saturday / Sunday football while taking coaching badges, mainly in Middlesex area (1978/85). (local football was less of a physical strain).
Non Playing - part-time opposition scout for QPR(1985/86), Luton Town (86/91), Wimbledon (91) & Blackburn Rovers (91/93), then freelance. Gave up to concentrate on main job that paid the mortgage, after turning down offer of Chief Scout at Blackburn in the 90 s. No regrets, pro football is a dog-eat-dog world. Happy travelling the country watching Charlton with my 14-y-o, without having to write 20 page reports on future opponents after every game.
aged under 11 - maypole primary school (bexley), cubs aged 11-16 - bexley grammar school, boys brigade (6th west kent) aged 16+ - Midland Bank Dussek Campbell Pink star Dartford Horse & Groom pub (west kingsdown) Fox & Hounds Pub (dartford)
& various work/employer teams. Best experience was probably an evening match under floodlights at Billeriicay Town's ground when working for Gartmore in Brentwood - had supporters sitting in the stands and advertising hordings around the pitch...............proper football !!!!!
Failed to make squad with NW Kent Schools - on leaving school played for Brett Sp (Canterbury), took Prelim Badge at College, (just as well as I buggered up back age 23 and I was squad player at best), coached Darenth Heathside Youths, coached Darenth Heathside/ Managed reserves (Spartan League, Met London Lge, etc - club seemed to change league every season) remember great battles with East Ham, Cray W, Alma Swanley, Swanley Town. Moved onto coach Tunbridge Wells (Kent League) won Kent Senior Cup. Managed Crowborough Athletic (CAFC) in Sussex County League II.
Packed it in due to work commitments though did coach NatWest team for a short while.
Age 14 spotted in Milton Keynes by a Charlton Scout (Was obviously over the moon with that one), went on a months trial - got rejected. Age 15 again spotted in Milton Keynes by West Ham was training with them for about 2 months but while with them, the FA bought the 'home to training ground' distance rule, also the school kicked up a fuss and stopped me going.
Played semi professional for 2 years for Aylesbury Football Club between ages of 19 and 21. Now just playing in my mates local teams pn Saturdays and Sundays in Leighton Buzzard my home town!And have won the league title of Division 1 student PowerLeague up in Liverpool while at Uni (last year and this year)
[cite]Posted By: Grapevine49[/cite]Managed Crowborough Athletic (CAFC) in Sussex County League II.
I played there a few times with Peacehaven & then Saltdean - right mud heap of a pitch if memory serves me well (this is 20 yeats ago!). I broke my leg quite badly when i was 24, what little pace I had dissapeared & I have been injury plagued ever since
when i was 10 got scouted to go on an advanced training course with arsenal but didnt make it to academy stage, played for kent from age 11-15 then packed it in as was bored of all the travelling around the country, now play for my local side, but currently out with ACL rupture, only 17 so hopefully can play at a high- ish standard soon :)
Youth : - Played for HINSDALE USA ( at the U-12 level we won the USA CUP. (Elite clubs national tournament) - U-16, my club represented one of the 4 top USA clubs within the Youth World Clubs Championships (U15 in Oslo, Norway and u16 at Denmark)
High School - Won Northern California State Championship. (California is so big they break it down into 3 regions)
College - Played competitive football for DePaul University located in Chicago, IL
Today - I am currently playing for Stare Byki F.C. (linky = http://starebykifc.org/index.html ). Registered within the National Soccer League ( linky = http://nslchicago.org/ ) My last season was stopped short due to a recent sports injury. My current football stats with the club are listed here: linky = http://starebykifc.org/pages/stats.html )
Valley Gary - serious? Thought you preferred having a beer and watching Charlton?
Taking a scouting job means you will be sent to matches without much choice. For example, if you work for charlton, you will be covering Rochdale at Yeovil or Colchester at Huddersfield this weekend. You won't see many Charlton games.
On the plus side, it's seats in the directors box & expenses, if a club takes you on.
Do you have any coaching badges?
If you're serious - Have a look at zonalmarking.net for the sort of reports you will need to produce, then add-in all the set plays of the team being covered. Have a go at analysing a team and then write a report. See how you get on.
[cite]Posted By: Tutt-Tutt[/cite]
Non Playing - part-time opposition scout for QPR(1985/86), Luton Town (86/91), Wimbledon (91) & Blackburn Rovers (91/93), then freelance. Gave up to concentrate on main job that paid the mortgage, after turning down offer of Chief Scout at Blackburn in the 90 s. No regrets, pro football is a dog-eat-dog world. Happy travelling the country watching Charlton with my 14-y-o, without having to write 20 page reports on future opponents after every game.
I know you got to know King Kenny a little, although the late Ray Harford was more your contact in the Blackburn days, were you suprised by Dalglish's return?
I'm an old romantic when it comes to football Tutt, I want Dalglish, Keegan, Big Ron, George Graham and El Tel still managing in the Prem!
Villacourt Rovers Woodford Town (Southern League) Barking Res (won the London Intermediate Cup) Crystal Palarse Res Southend Res (played with Trevor Whymark the old Ipswich player and a fe ex pros briilliant in the air) the last 2 because Harry Cripps was our Sunday League coach and he used to bring us in and pocket the expenses moved to USA in 1987 Played for Glastonbury Celtic in Connecticut from 1990 - present and at the age of 48 still playing O40 soccer there is a few ex-pats and Irish lads on the team and we have a good craic. We have the largest amateur club in the State with our own field and clubhouse. It it wasn't for this I would have gone crazy over here.
Wow! What a brilliant 'blast from the past' thread. The names of some of the teams mentioned makes me wonder if I played against some of you lot, way back in time.(I'm 32 now, but was a year younger than some my teammates/age bracket, at the time) I played in goal for:
Eversley Rangers - Shirley & District League - 86/87, 87/88(Both Under 10, i started at 7) - Biggest rivals - Palace Guards(Nigel affiliated Sunday league team)
Junior Robins(A Charlton, Junior Red affiliated side that would potentially graduate into the School of Excellence) - Bexley & District League - 88/89, 89/90, 90/91 - Biggest Rivals - Vista Lions who were 'our' Millwall, lots of Millwall fans, cheats & proto-chav-tastic cheating b'stards.
Our other rivals were Y.M.C.A. who had Jimmy Bullard playing for them at the time.; He was brilliant then & a sported a super platinum mullet - like Tommy barnes from Tommys Troubles in Roy Of The rovers(if anyone else remembers that character) & a kid called Ross, with serious ice hockey hair, who averaged about 90 goals a season.
Liam Ridgewell was our mascot back then(about 5/6 years old), as his brother played for Junior Robins. So weird seeing him in the Premier League, though he was football mad back then too! ( He had a great micro mullet then)
Villacourt Rovers - 91/92(Mercury League), Bexley League - 92/93, 93/94
During that time we played against the likes of Teviot Rangers, Pheonix Sports, Crayford Arrows, Long Lane, Chelsfield, SenrabSamuel Montagu(little bald kid-midfield maestro & a striker named Richmond were their star players at the time) we had a rivalry also with Leeford Athletic also & played against many more.
We lost in the final of the LYFA Cup in 90/91(U11) against Redbridge Forest, & went out at the semi-final stage the previous season.
I also played for South London Schools(88/89-89/90) & my school teams from 86/87 upto 93/94, before knee injuries hit me & I turned into Demis Roussos.
AFKA, who did you play for? It wasn't Y.M.C.A or S.T.M. or Senrab was it?
Joined Sunday League team South Park Rangers (now merged into Maidstone Rangers) when I was 8 years old and I'm still playing for them 23 years later!
From 10 to 16 I played for Maidstone Youth with Cyril Davies as my manager. Not sure if I got in for my ability or for the fact I turned up for my trial in full Charlton kit! I was the only player not attached to a league club or school of excellence and when I didn't make the cut for the reserve team at 17 I decided to stick to Sunday football. It was probably down to a bit of bad luck, lack of confidence and because Jon Harley (now of Notts County) played left wing and I played right. He really stood out at that age and nearly every attack we had would go down the left hand side. All scouts would have seen of me for 6 years was just running up and down the right touchline barely getting a kick!
[cite]Posted By: Stefco[/cite]AFKA, who did you play for? It wasn't Y.M.C.A or S.T.M. or Senrab was it?
STM. When i joined them there was rumours going round that they had bought me a BMX to join them which wasn't true, and when i left 6 years later the manager rung up a couple of days later to say there were rumours going round i had joined Senrab and had they offered anything. He couldn't get his head around i just weren't enjoying it.
[cite]Posted By: Stefco[/cite]AFKA, who did you play for? It wasn't Y.M.C.A or S.T.M. or Senrab was it?
STM. When i joined them there was rumours going round that they had bought me a BMX to join them which wasn't true, and when i left 6 years later the manager rung up a couple of days later to say there were rumours going round i had joined Senrab and had they offered anything. He couldn't get his head around i just weren't enjoying it.
I heard that you were bought a pair of football boots? I remember those rumours. They tried to sign me but couldn't afford 2 burgers and a large coke after every game
Was picked up by Barcalona whilst on holiday in spain..........ok, i'll stop there.
Just NWKSL for me. A dodgy left back who happened to be graced with the stamina of a horse and the ability of a donkey.
Played for a while in the early 90's for Charlton supporters club and convinced them i was a left midfielder. The funny thing was i actually scored about 8 goals in a dozen or so matches by just making late runs into the box and tapping them home. (don't think any were more than 6yds out). Then went into the Army and played a bit there for regiment team. Played in front of about 2000 people whilst out in Kenya against a local team (that was a VERY strange atmosphere). Picked up my sunday league career when i re-joined civvy street until my mid thirties when a back injury became to much. My playing is now done via the PS3 PES/FIFA.
[quote][cite]Posted By: Chirpy Red[/cite][quote][cite]Posted By: Tutt-Tutt[/cite] Non Playing - part-time opposition scout for QPR(1985/86), Luton Town (86/91), Wimbledon (91) & Blackburn Rovers (91/93), then freelance. Gave up to concentrate on main job that paid the mortgage, after turning down offer of Chief Scout at Blackburn in the 90 s. No regrets, pro football is a dog-eat-dog world. Happy travelling the country watching Charlton with my 14-y-o, without having to write 20 page reports on future opponents after every game. [/quote]
I know you got to know King Kenny a little, although the late Ray Harford was more your contact in the Blackburn days, were you suprised by Dalglish's return?
I'm an old romantic when it comes to football Tutt, I want Dalglish, Keegan, Big Ron, George Graham and El Tel still managing in the Prem![/quote]
Yeah, Kenny is a lovely fella, very down to earth and a laugh a minute. Not surprised he's back and is setting about restoring the old Boot Room principles at Anfield. His interviews are always about whats good for the club & the supporters. Individual egos are not tolerated. I'm hoping Chris Powell has the same ethos, as similarly Charlton should be in his blood.
Oakster - yes indeed the pitch at Crowborough could be a real mud heap but it was very heavily used - CAFC had a huge youth section with quite a few lads training with Brighton. Really nice little club which did really well to climb up to the Isthmian a few years back
[cite]Posted By: addick16[/cite]Youth : - Played for HINSDALE USA ( at the U-12 level we won the USA CUP. (Elite clubs national tournament)
- U-16, my club represented one of the 4 top USA clubs within the Youth World Clubs Championships (U15 in Oslo, Norway and u16 at Denmark)
High School - Won Northern California State Championship. (California is so big they break it down into 3 regions)
College - Played competitive football for DePaul University located in Chicago, IL
Comments
Reigate Town
Dorking
Redhill
Warminster Town (wiltshire)
Unlikey Lads (own team) Soccerbox
As an adult (Saturdays)- 2 seasons with Wealdstone(93-95), 3 games for Erith & Belvedere (On loan from Wealdstone), Erith Town, Fleetdown Utd, Old Bexlians, Bexlians.
As an adult (Sundays) - I think I've got them all - The Bull Pub, London Club, Eltham Royals, Woodside Celtic, plus cameo appearances for quite a few others inc The Mighty Albany Rangers. Also played for the Charlton Supporters Club in the early days with a few of you boys, and CIFC at Coldharbour.
I've now hung my boots up to concentrate on coaching and managing. I spent 08/09 & 09/10 with Belvedere Res where we finshed 3rd (08/09) and runners up (09/10). I left Belvedere to take over Bexlians Fc 1st team affairs who play in the Kent County League Div 2 West. Currently doing nicely.
Nothing after school, then moved to oz when I was 20. Played in the west australian league for 2 seasons in every position, including keeper in 1 game after he got sent off after 15 minutes! needless to say we lost that one!
The boys over here i played with and against in the W.A league formed a 5 a side team 11 years ago, the mighty P.L.I. We play midweek at a sports centre here in perth, and I love it more than ever! We win most seasons and i have the honour of scoring a hat trick in this years final, not bad for a lump ofa defender!
I think we are the only social 5 a side team that has kit sponsorship from the boozer we drink at after the game!
The now elaborate fine system we have run for 4 years funds the boys trip for a week away every year, bali, phuket, koi samui and bali again, messy affairs!
I'm 39 in may, the rest of the boys are in there early 30's so it's getting harder for me to recover now. But they are going to have to drag me kicking and screaming to get me off the pitch!
I love it!!!!
...that's not quite true - coz we've beaten you 1-0 this season !
....but fully expect you to turn us over this weekend !!!
Non Playing - part-time opposition scout for QPR(1985/86), Luton Town (86/91), Wimbledon (91) & Blackburn Rovers (91/93), then freelance. Gave up to concentrate on main job that paid the mortgage, after turning down offer of Chief Scout at Blackburn in the 90 s. No regrets, pro football is a dog-eat-dog world. Happy travelling the country watching Charlton with my 14-y-o, without having to write 20 page reports on future opponents after every game.
aged 11-16 - bexley grammar school, boys brigade (6th west kent)
aged 16+ - Midland Bank
Dussek Campbell
Pink star Dartford
Horse & Groom pub (west kingsdown)
Fox & Hounds Pub (dartford)
& various work/employer teams. Best experience was probably an evening match under floodlights at Billeriicay Town's ground when working for Gartmore in Brentwood - had supporters sitting in the stands and advertising hordings around the pitch...............proper football !!!!!
Packed it in due to work commitments though did coach NatWest team for a short while.
Age 15 again spotted in Milton Keynes by West Ham was training with them for about 2 months but while with them, the FA bought the 'home to training ground' distance rule, also the school kicked up a fuss and stopped me going.
Played semi professional for 2 years for Aylesbury Football Club between ages of 19 and 21. Now just playing in my mates local teams pn Saturdays and Sundays in Leighton Buzzard my home town!And have won the league title of Division 1 student PowerLeague up in Liverpool while at Uni (last year and this year)
I played there a few times with Peacehaven & then Saltdean - right mud heap of a pitch if memory serves me well (this is 20 yeats ago!). I broke my leg quite badly when i was 24, what little pace I had dissapeared & I have been injury plagued ever since
- U-16, my club represented one of the 4 top USA clubs within the Youth World Clubs Championships (U15 in Oslo, Norway and u16 at Denmark)
High School - Won Northern California State Championship. (California is so big they break it down into 3 regions)
College - Played competitive football for DePaul University located in Chicago, IL
Today - I am currently playing for Stare Byki F.C. (linky = http://starebykifc.org/index.html ). Registered within the National Soccer League ( linky = http://nslchicago.org/ ) My last season was stopped short due to a recent sports injury. My current football stats with the club are listed here: linky = http://starebykifc.org/pages/stats.html )
Taking a scouting job means you will be sent to matches without much choice. For example, if you work for charlton, you will be covering Rochdale at Yeovil or Colchester at Huddersfield this weekend. You won't see many Charlton games.
On the plus side, it's seats in the directors box & expenses, if a club takes you on.
Do you have any coaching badges?
If you're serious - Have a look at zonalmarking.net for the sort of reports you will need to produce, then add-in all the set plays of the team being covered. Have a go at analysing a team and then write a report. See how you get on.
I was a cricketer.
I know you got to know King Kenny a little, although the late Ray Harford was more your contact in the Blackburn days, were you suprised by Dalglish's return?
I'm an old romantic when it comes to football Tutt, I want Dalglish, Keegan, Big Ron, George Graham and El Tel still managing in the Prem!
Woodford Town (Southern League)
Barking Res (won the London Intermediate Cup)
Crystal Palarse Res
Southend Res (played with Trevor Whymark the old Ipswich player and a fe ex pros briilliant in the air)
the last 2 because Harry Cripps was our Sunday League coach and he used to bring us in and pocket the expenses
moved to USA in 1987
Played for Glastonbury Celtic in Connecticut from 1990 - present and at the age of 48 still playing O40 soccer
there is a few ex-pats and Irish lads on the team and we have a good craic. We have the largest amateur club in the State with our own field and clubhouse. It it wasn't for this I would have gone crazy over here.
Eversley Rangers - Shirley & District League - 86/87, 87/88(Both Under 10, i started at 7) - Biggest rivals - Palace Guards(Nigel affiliated Sunday league team)
Junior Robins(A Charlton, Junior Red affiliated side that would potentially graduate into the School of Excellence) - Bexley & District League - 88/89, 89/90, 90/91 - Biggest Rivals - Vista Lions who were 'our' Millwall, lots of Millwall fans, cheats & proto-chav-tastic cheating b'stards.
Our other rivals were Y.M.C.A. who had Jimmy Bullard playing for them at the time.; He was brilliant then & a sported a super platinum mullet - like Tommy barnes from Tommys Troubles in Roy Of The rovers(if anyone else remembers that character) & a kid called Ross, with serious ice hockey hair, who averaged about 90 goals a season.
Liam Ridgewell was our mascot back then(about 5/6 years old), as his brother played for Junior Robins. So weird seeing him in the Premier League, though he was football mad back then too! ( He had a great micro mullet then)
Villacourt Rovers - 91/92(Mercury League), Bexley League - 92/93, 93/94
During that time we played against the likes of Teviot Rangers, Pheonix Sports, Crayford Arrows, Long Lane, Chelsfield, Senrab Samuel Montagu(little bald kid-midfield maestro & a striker named Richmond were their star players at the time) we had a rivalry also with Leeford Athletic also & played against many more.
We lost in the final of the LYFA Cup in 90/91(U11) against Redbridge Forest, & went out at the semi-final stage the previous season.
I also played for South London Schools(88/89-89/90) & my school teams from 86/87 upto 93/94, before knee injuries hit me & I turned into Demis Roussos.
AFKA, who did you play for? It wasn't Y.M.C.A or S.T.M. or Senrab was it?
From 10 to 16 I played for Maidstone Youth with Cyril Davies as my manager. Not sure if I got in for my ability or for the fact I turned up for my trial in full Charlton kit! I was the only player not attached to a league club or school of excellence and when I didn't make the cut for the reserve team at 17 I decided to stick to Sunday football. It was probably down to a bit of bad luck, lack of confidence and because Jon Harley (now of Notts County) played left wing and I played right. He really stood out at that age and nearly every attack we had would go down the left hand side. All scouts would have seen of me for 6 years was just running up and down the right touchline barely getting a kick!
STM. When i joined them there was rumours going round that they had bought me a BMX to join them which wasn't true, and when i left 6 years later the manager rung up a couple of days later to say there were rumours going round i had joined Senrab and had they offered anything. He couldn't get his head around i just weren't enjoying it.
I heard that you were bought a pair of football boots? I remember those rumours. They tried to sign me but couldn't afford 2 burgers and a large coke after every game
Barnehurst FC
Currently play saturdays for Lloyds Bank, home ground is Kent Crickt Ground in Beckenham
1983–1984 Fareham Town 13 (2)
1984–1985 Bournemouth 7 (1)
1985–1988 Weymouth 110 (28)
1988 Crystal Palace 0 (0)
1988–1990 Aldershot 62 (19)
1990–1992 Cambridge United 79 (28)
1992 Luton Town 16 (2)
1992–1994 Cambridge United 53 (18)
1994–1996 Birmingham City 88 (35)
1996–1998 Leicester City 63 (17)
1998 → Portsmouth (loan) 10 (2)
1998 Wolverhampton Wanderers 5 (0)
1998–2001 Portsmouth 104 (34)
2001 → Millwall (loan) 6 (3)
2001–2003 Millwall 85 (26)
2003–2004 Weymouth 47 (24)
2004 Brighton & Hove Albion 5 (0)
2004–2005 Brentford 4 (0)
2005 → Wycombe Wanderers (loan) 4 (0)
2005 Wycombe Wanderers 15 (4)
2005 Millwall 0 (0)
2005 Gillingham 1 (0)
2005–2006 Bradford City 26 (5)
2006 → Walsall (loan) 7 (1)
2006–2007 Bournemouth 1 (0)
2007 Worthing 1 (0)
2007 Harrow Borough 4 (2)
2009 Weymouth 1 (0)
Total 817 (251)
Steve Claridge?
Either him or Kanu.....
Just NWKSL for me. A dodgy left back who happened to be graced with the stamina of a horse and the ability of a donkey.
Played for a while in the early 90's for Charlton supporters club and convinced them i was a left midfielder. The funny thing was i actually scored about 8 goals in a dozen or so matches by just making late runs into the box and tapping them home. (don't think any were more than 6yds out). Then went into the Army and played a bit there for regiment team. Played in front of about 2000 people whilst out in Kenya against a local team (that was a VERY strange atmosphere). Picked up my sunday league career when i re-joined civvy street until my mid thirties when a back injury became to much. My playing is now done via the PS3 PES/FIFA.
Non Playing - part-time opposition scout for QPR(1985/86), Luton Town (86/91), Wimbledon (91) & Blackburn Rovers (91/93), then freelance. Gave up to concentrate on main job that paid the mortgage, after turning down offer of Chief Scout at Blackburn in the 90 s. No regrets, pro football is a dog-eat-dog world. Happy travelling the country watching Charlton with my 14-y-o, without having to write 20 page reports on future opponents after every game.
[/quote]
I know you got to know King Kenny a little, although the late Ray Harford was more your contact in the Blackburn days, were you suprised by Dalglish's return?
I'm an old romantic when it comes to football Tutt, I want Dalglish, Keegan, Big Ron, George Graham and El Tel still managing in the Prem![/quote]
Yeah, Kenny is a lovely fella, very down to earth and a laugh a minute. Not surprised he's back and is setting about restoring the old Boot Room principles at Anfield. His interviews are always about whats good for the club & the supporters. Individual egos are not tolerated. I'm hoping Chris Powell has the same ethos, as similarly Charlton should be in his blood.
Age 36 still do it but not as much.