Tuesday 27 October 2009

New beginnings

Well, so much for updating this blog on a regular basis! Anyone who knows me, will know why - and no, it's not because I am so badly organised! Four weeks ago my beautiful baby daughter was born and as you can imagine its been a pretty hectic and mind blowing time since then.

The funny thing is that throughout my girlfriends pregnancy virtually everyone thought we were going to have a boy. For me, the worry was that if I had a boy, would it mean eventually leaving Dynamos and joining one of those nasty boys clubs?!! Thank goodness that decision was taken out of my hands, and Miracle (yeah an unusual name I grant you) already has a babygro emblazoned with the club badge, only another six years to her first training session....

Of course having a baby has impacted a little on me following my two favourite teams, but I have had half on eye on the action.

At Dynamos it has been a bit of a struggle as our U15 team has been decimated with players leaving during the summer. This is one of the biggest challenges facing the game - how to keep players interested once they hit 13/14 years old? We have recently been able to sign a couple of new players and so are finally able to field a full team - what I must commend is the spirit of the girls to keep coming back after some heavy defeats - well done and I hope everything turns around soon.

For our U12 team it has been a mixed start to the season. We have a larger squad this season and the main challenge facing Martin is integrating new players whilst ensuring existing members are getting plenty of action. Next season most, if not all of this age group will move up to 11-a-side football so everyone will see plenty of match play then.

Arsenal's chances of winning the Premiership were written off a month or so ago following defeats to Man Utd and Man City. How bizarre then that after this weekends end draw we find ourselves third with a game in hand. This weekends match was disappointing, but I think we are well in the mix and I will be very surprised if we don't pick up a couple of trophies come next spring. One thing I will say is that we are honoured to have Arsene Wenger as our manager. He is truly amazing and what he has done for the club on a minimal budget is nothing short of genius.

Well, this week there is plenty of action to enjoy. Tomorrow night a chance to knock Liverpool out of the Carling Cup with our young guns, then on Saturday a chance to put Spurs in their rightful place. Being a dad has not altered my perspective on the game!!! LOL! On Sunday, the Dynamo U12s are also in cup action and I wish them all the best for that important match.

Me, yep you got it - Miracle in my arms, a beer in one hand and Arsenal on the TV - bliss.....

Tuesday 4 August 2009

New season, new challenges

With just a week to the start of the Football League, two weeks to the start of the Premiership and five weeks to the start of the Sussex Woman and Girls League, my taste buds are starting to tingle and my heart is full of excitement and anticipation. I love this time of the season - the newspapers full of (often incorrect) gossip, teams are being written off, players too - so this blog is my turn, my predictions about what 2009/10 will bring.

Dynamo Girls: I think this is going to be a great season for the club. Its a shame that we haven't been able to get any new teams off the ground, but our Junior section will be overflowing this year and I'm really looking forward to seeing how Joe takes the girls forward. This season I am confident that we will win our first league silverware with our U12 team. They looked superb in the recent Oakwood tournament and I think Martin and the girls will push on from the good work Mandi put in last season. Our U15s are also looking a great prospect and with plenty of new signings this could be the season they deliver after so many years of unfulfilled promise. Follow our girls...

The Arsenal: We have been criticised in much of the press over the last few weeks and are apparently now regarded as being a "selling" team. Personally I'm more then happy to see the back of Adebayor and Toure especially given the tosh they have both said about Arsenal since their departures. Adebayor had one good season at Arsenal then failed to deliver. He has too much ego and has simply moved for the money. Toure was indeed a rock in the heart of our defence, but since contracting malaria last season failed to hold down a regular place. Put your money on Arshavin becoming this seasons Player of the Year - a wonderful talent, and backed up by the return of Rosisky, Nasri, Fabregas, Van Persie and the like - how anyone can write off Arsenals challenge is beyond me. Arsenal's winning start...

The Premiership: For all of Man City's big spending I don't see them being a contender this season. Mark Hughes will be under enormous pressure to deliver with his stable of superstars, but the egos won't gel and they will be lucky to get to 6th. Aston Villa and Everton could be pushing again this season, but more down to their excellent managers then the abilities of their respective teams and another surprise one could be Sunderland. It will sadly be the usual top 4 fighting it out. Man Utd have sold two of their best players and have some golden oldies in their squad coming to the end of their time. I think this year they will be off the pace and Fergie will start looking into retirement villas in Spain. Liverpool are the perennial chokers and having sold one of their key midfielders will be looking for crumbs this season. For me it will be a fight between Chelsea and Arsenal. Chelsea have a new manager, depth in their squad and will make a couple of late signings to freshen things up. Arsenal have the most continuity out of the top 4 and the least pressure as they have already been written off by most commentators. I have to side with my beloved Arsenal - you wouldn't expect anything else would you?! The bookies guide...

The Rest (local!): I think Brighton will struggle again this season. Until they get to their new stadium (which is beginning to take shape) they will struggle to attract signings so mid table mediocrity is on the cards. Crawley will probably have another good season by I still can't see them progressing into the play off places until new management takes control. This could be an excellent season for Eastbourne Borough. Last years performance was a great surprise and I hope their steady climb continues - they are how all football clubs should be run. The opposite side to that is poor old Lewes who had a dismal spell in the Conference Premier. A return to the Southern league should be good for them,. Finally - how about a decent FA cup run for one of our non-league teams, my money is on Horsham or perhaps St Francis Rangers. Brightons new stadium...

Good luck to all, may battle commence....

Monday 20 July 2009

A farewell...

This weekend was the new Oakwood Girls 6s tournament and a great success for Dynamo Girls. We had two teams entered - the U11s and U14s - with some new players in action for the younger age group.

It was a day of mixed emotions as for me this was the last time I was managing the U14s ahead of Nici taking over the team for the new season. It was also the last tournament for Abi and Zoe before they they sail the other side of the world to their new life in Australia - I wish them and their family all the best with this exciting time in their life.

On a playing front I couldn't have asked for more from the girls. As usual we started very slowly losing to Glenco, who eventually went on to win the event. We drew three matches including two 0-0 draws against local rivals Seahaven Harriers, before winning the remaining three games. Outstanding performances from all the girls but especially Harriet who was magnificent in defence, Abbie for another outstanding performance in goal and the ever reliable Charly. Our U11s performed even better winning 5 games and drawing one to win their age group. This was a superb achievement with two new players in the team and hopefully bodes well for the new season.

For me its now back to the administration side of the club, getting the membership forms back from the players; helping register them with the league; sorting out new kit and sponsors. Already the fixtures are out, pre-season training is booked - were has the summer gone?!!

Wednesday 15 July 2009

Summer transfers

Whilst Man City pursue the likes of John Terry and Carlos Tevez, and Real Madrid have their galaticos, at Dynamo GFC we are busy seeking new signings for our U12 and U15 girls teams. There is such a wide gap between the top end of the game and us buried in the grassroots it sometimes makes me wonder if we are playing the same game!

The "close" season is always a manic time for those of us involved in running clubs. I use "" because these days there doesn't seem to be a free weekend throughout the year. And whilst my better half may get a bit frustrated with the piles of signing on forms in the lounge; the texts from parents saying their daughter can't make this weekends tournament; and the seemingly endless committee and league meetings - it is nonetheless one of the most rewarding "jobs" in the world. Again I use the "" because it's not really a job. Like thousands up and down the country this is a voluntary, unpaid position, and I'm sure a future blog will focus on what the FA and the government could be doing to support us.

Anyway, this is the first blog of my life, and I will hopefully be updating this on a regular basis with details about our club, how the girls are doing, but mostly it will be full of my views on this wonderful game and our role in it.