End of Season Review 2008/2009 - TOP TEN

So, the 5th season of Alumni FC comes to an end, and what a season it was. We played in every possible game, reaching all our cup finals. We won two finals, and we won the league (LOBAL & Bootle may disagree with that last comment but in essence we were champions) and we ended the season on a high with a great victory against the official league "champions". Plus, there is the Lucozade Cup at Carrington still to come. So, as difficult as it is, here is an unofficial list of the top ten highlights of the season.

10. County Cup Run

7 games against teams from 5 different leagues. It was a fantastic run which sadly ended in defeat at the County Grounds. But, despite not winning the cup, on reflection it was a great achievement to get so far in a competition that historically we have not done well in. They’ll be plenty motivation to go one step further next season.

9. Dave Kenny Dance in Slaters

There are many many moments that can be chosen from the various social events, but Kenny’s dance in the Slaters toilet is the one that sticks in the memory. The fact that he had his pants around his ankles at the time in accordance with the rules of pub cricket is something only Wil could invent and only the rest of the players would all so willingly and enthusiastically embrace!!!

8. The 2nd Team winning against Upholland in the Northern Cup

Remember the date – 22nd November 2008. The birth of the Alumni 2nd XI, thanks principally to the efforts of Nick Cockrell. It took a lot of effort, but it must have been worth it when the team won in a closely fought game against strong opposition from Wigan.

7. Beating Park Brow in the Quarter-Finals of the County Cup

The first game back after an extended Christmas break. Both teams were unbeaten in the season at that time and it had the makings of a great game. It truly was a battle, with two teams giving everything. Luke’s super header in the second half of extra-time was the difference between the two teams.

6. The Late Surge against Alder in the 1st Game of the Double Header

A game that epitomised a lot about this club. Probably the poorest 30 minutes of football all season. 2-0 down and it was a shortened game so there was little time left. Did we give up? Did we hell. Wil Roberts & Sean Monaghan went on a two-man crusade to save our season and 2 late goals saw us draw the game 2-2. We then pulverised them 5-1 in the second game a few minutes later.

5. Neal's Goal against Naylorsfield

Against the League, Cup & County Cup champions. In Huyton. Against the run of play. The ball is played to Neal, who is completely isolated, by the touch line and 40 yards away from the Naylorsfield goal. “Hold the ball up Neal, use that large bum of yours and your unbelievable strength and wait for support!!!” we shouted. Neal was having none of it and unleashed a volley into the top corner of the net which quite simply was the best goal in the short history of the club.

4. Bootle, part I – The fightback from 0 – 2 down

It seems such a long time ago now, but back in November we took a trip to Bootle High School. Old Bootleians were the only team we did not beat last season. We knew they would be in contention, and we knew it would be a battle. But we started poorly. Their striker made mincemeat of our back four and scored two early goals. Commeth Martin English, who picked the team up by the scruff of their neck and lead by example. The last hour of the game was a vintage team display by every single player and we absolutely destroyed Bootle. 5-2 was flattering …. for Bootle. It could have been 10. It was amazing.

3. The Senior Shield Final

Amazing to think that it is only third in the list, but it has been a good season. We had lost the County Cup Final and then we had drawn against FC Salle. How could any team then motivate themselves for a cup final only 2 days later? The answer is to have a bunch of players with team spirit in buckets, combine it with a great sense of humour (Miers and his deal or no deal analogy for example), a captain who never ever lets his players take their eye of the ball, and a Churchillian speech by a manager who gives his all for this club. It was a gritty performance, lead by Kez’s desire and commitment, and it resulted in us defending our Senior Shield title.

2. Bootle, part II – Proving ourselves to be the true champions

Everything was set up for a titanic league decider after Bootle were rightly deducted points for accumulating 12 disciplinary points. LOBAL even booked linesmen for the occasion and the table on the LOBAL website deducted the points. We all know what happened – Bootle wrapped up the title in a conference room prior to the game. And the league game 3 days later showed why they had to take that course of action, because they would have never won the league if the result depended on it. We were hungrier, more determined, technically better and the superior team. The official title was decided by those reinstated points, not by their ability to beat us, and it rendered their official title virtually meaningless. It was a thoroughly satisfying victory.

1. Malborough Trophy

It has to be at the top. On a pitch to die for, under the floodlights in yet another divisional cup final. It was a game that no Alumni player present will ever forget. It was a battle royale between two excellent teams, in fact the two most talented teams at this standard in this region. It was a see-saw battle, too tight to call throughout the first 105 minutes of football. But, in the second half of extra time, we had Naylorsfield on the ropes. At last one team was on top and we were attacking in waves. In the 119th minute, the sucker punch was landed. Andy Smillie was 20 yards out with the goal at his mercy. It was not an easy chance and there was a lot of pressure on it. We could not have hand-picked a better player to be in that position at that moment. His technique is faultless and he showed it as he hammered the ball into the bottom corner. Cue wild scenes as the Alumni bench emptied and the whole team piled on Papa Smiles. The scenes in the changing rooms, Hannahs, Chameleon and the Raz later will be cherished into old age.