01 February 2006

Firstly I would like to thank Richard Foster for organising the web site. He has done an amazing job in a short time. We all need to support Foz with this as the site will be only as good as the literature we create. Please remember to keep articles relatively clean as we are planning to link into the school and the Cheam youth teams.

On that note, I would like to let you know that we have tied up with Cheam Youth (run by GOB, Steve Probert). Cheam Youth play at Peaches Close and run 8 sides at present from under 11s to under 17s. The aim is to get the youngsters coming through from the under 17’s into the GOB sides, starting next season. The relationship with the school has dwindled in the past few years, so are trying to establish better links with the aim of recruiting new players. There is a game planned against the school for either the end of the season or the start of next.

It’s good to see that ‘The Goblet’ has risen from the ashes and is looking good. I’m hoping to see contributions from every team in the next edition (send articles to Foz at richardkfoster@btinternet.com).

We also have revitalised our Vets team this year and they are currently having a successful time in both OBI and LOB Cups. Becky has taken the over from Hydo and with a bit of luck we will have a Cup Final to look forward to.

John Penfold (imaginatively nicknamed Penners) is also looking after the Super-Vets and is always on the look out for old talent who want to play at the Bank of England etc … The only stipulation is that players must be 40+ or at least have a old face and a tired body so you are able to pass of as a old git.

We are now moving into the last few games of the season, and the end of season dinner will be upon us sooner rather than later. Details will be posted on the site. The Golden boot is hotting up with Jay, Foz, Duncan and Barney all still in the running, although Barney could have had it sown up by now if he wasn’t up to his old tricks.

I would personally like to thank Barney, Tom Bowman and James Clarke for joining my side this season; they have fitted in nicely with the team and proved to be good club men. Also, a special thanks to Lynchy for the attitude he has shown and playing for whoever needs him this season.

On a final note, Robbie Pollard will be retiring from Fixtures Secretary at the end of the season. Robbie has contributed enormously to GOB over the years, so a special thanks to him. His retirement means I am actively looking for a replacement, so if anyone is interested, or if you fancy it yourself, please let me know and I will willingly buy you a beer.

More next month.

Chairman Ward.

Welcome to the new Glyn Old Boys website!

The purpose of the site is to share information around the club, provide details on how
the club is run, how each team is performing and generally create a bit more of a club mentality.

Please take time to have a look around the site and take in some of the information (especially relating to the Glyn Lottery!). Each week there will be match reports on all the games plus a few extras, so please do come back and check from time to time. I’d also like to take this opportunity to give you a few views on what is happening at the club.

It takes a lot of organising to run 6 teams every Saturday and requires a lot of effort to allow us to turn up every Saturday and be provided with pitches, opponents, kits, balls etc and we should all appreciate the efforts of the committee for making this possible.

The nature of the Old Boys has changed quite a lot over the past few years and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to get 6 teams out every week; hopefully this site will show everyone exactly what goes on at the club behind the scenes and allow every member to make a contribution wherever they think they can add something.

This year is turning into a bit of a transitional period; Gollogs has stepped down from the First XI captaincy (he is 42!), bringing an end to the era of Agutter, Beck, Russell Smith and Eagle but with the team currently sitting top of the league, Matt Wheeler taking over from Gollogs and some of the younger players stepping up from the 3rd XI, the future looks promising.

Eagle has taken up the 2nd XI captaincy and changed a few things around. They are showing some good form which if they continue puts them in with a chance of promotion.

Unfortunately, the 3rd team is no longer but thankfully the majority of the players are now with other teams within the club. I’m doing my best for the 4th XI, and Mark and Malcolm are having great seasons with the 5th and 6th teams - let’s hope it continues.

One further point: we are trying to run the club as the League dictates it should be run, that is, each team has players of the correct standard playing within it. If this does not happen there are potential repercussions from the League. "For example, last year a 4th XI team finished top of their league with the Clubs 3rd XI finishing bottom of the league above. The League claimed that the 4th's were better than their 3rd's and therefore took the trophy from them."

Whilst this is a league requirement, it is also important for the future of GOB that we operate a ‘one club’ policy not ‘individual teams within a club’. I would therefore appreciate your understanding in playing for the team that you are selected to play for. Although this causes a little friction from time to time, it is essential for the future of the club that this happens. GOB has been running since 1948 and we are keen to see the club run for many years to come.

That’s all for now!

Happy New Year to All - let’s hope it sees us with a few trophies at the end of the season dinner!

Chairman Ward