Crookham Rovers F.C.

CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What more can I say. The boys finished the previous season strongly and feeling like we had underachieved worked hard through the summer to start the season with a bang. With 3 new players joining the squad the team looked strong and confident as we strolled to two heavy wins in the league, before being knocked out of both cups and a strange home defeat to Hartley Wintney seemed to give the boys a real lift as we roared to six consecutive victories scoring over 35 goals in the process and taking top spot in the league – a position that we never relinquished.

With the annual bad weather came a stumble, a nasty home draw and a frustrating defeat at Mytchett was rectified by a record shattering 18-1 hammering of Heatherside and 3 more crucial wins. Another defeat against the other Mytchett team (can we not play at Frimley Lodge again!!) gave us the kick up the backside we needed and two more wins saw us guaranteed top two and a title decider at Hartley Wintney (the only team to push us in the points department).

We were granted permission to use the full Hartley Wintney pitch on a sweltering day, and mainly due to the heroics of their keeper, the game stayed close until they grabbed a goal and we equalised right on the stroke of half time, which turned out to be a vital strike as with 8 minutes left on the clock a goal secured a nervy 2-1 win and the lads sealed the title in-front of over 100 travelling (and very loud) fans.

We have now also completed a very fun and celebrating tour of Holland, playing four games against some very good opponents and look forward to life in a higher division next year.

Tonight will be very difficult to highlight 3 players, as every single one of the 18 has paid a key part in the season’s successes.

Thanks

To Steve Brunton, without who the Tigers would not exist, to Nick and Liz Williams and their continual efforts both on and off the pitch, to Peter Eburne for his effective linesman-ship, to the vocal skills of Scouse Courtney, Gary Jackson and Steve Morrison, and to every other parent and spectator who make up the twelfth man and best support in the entire league. Thank you!!

Club Records data (as at 12th December 2010)

Hat-trick Heroes:

2006/7 - Jack Kavanagh

2007/8 -

2008/9 - Cameron Huck, Sam Williams

2009/10 - Matt Lee (7), Jack Webster (2), Sam Williams

2010/11 – James Morrison

Career Appearances

Career Goals

Career MoM

Current Players - Career Stats

Club Records data (as at 6th May 2010)

Hat-trick Heroes:

2006/7 - Jack Kavanagh

2007/8 -

2008/9 - Cameron Huck, Sam Williams

2009/10 - Matt Lee (7), Jack Webster (2), Sam Williams

Career Appearances

Career Goals

Career MoM

Current Players - Career Stats

The Tigers secured 4th place in the division which is a fantastic achievement given our bottom place finish last season.

This season we started early and improved fitness and basic skills through our summer camp which was driven by Andy and gave us a massive head-start to the season winning our first 4 games with significant ease breaking all sorts of records and having accumulated more points and scored more goals by the midway point in the season where we sat 7 points clear having only lost one game and looked in fine form to pick up at least a promotion.

Unfortunately the enforced breaks due to weather with games and training became a bit of a leveller and we turned into a hastily re-arranged top of the table clash with Camberley and narrowly lost putting them top. This defeat seemed to deflate the boys and despite some impressive football we had lost our momentum and a draw and a defeat to the two Mytchett teams pretty much secured our place in the table.

As always a huge list of thank you messages. Firstly to Andy Coe without who the majority of goals and dreams of the boys would not have been realised, the summer camp was hard work for the boys but they are indebted to him for their excellent season.

Next is to Steve Brunton who provides Andy and I with the framework for what we do, and then on to the “special parents” – Nick and Liz Williams, Dawn Wright, Karen Webster who all do their bits to help in various ways, and to my parents Sue and Ernie Grace and my partner Karen who helped with my “unusual” travel issues through the season.

Finally a massive thank you to the best parents and supporters in the league! They are always passionate, always vocal and most importantly always supportive and understanding.

Position 4th (Div 3) – P16 W7 D3 L6 F42 A37 Pts24

Player’s Player – Alex Hellier

Clubman – Sam Williams

Manager’s Player – Jack Webster

Top Scorer – Aaron Wright (12)

NEHYL League Cup – 1st Round

A difficult season for the Tigers after the loss of 3 players and a restructure of the leagues to cope with the change to Sunday matches.

All this considered, the improvement shown by the guys has been magnificent and their work ethic has been fantastic and in many of the games we have been unlucky to come away without much more than we did.

Highlights of the season have been a magnificent win against local rivals Hart, in which an inspired performance from all involved led to a very tight victory, and a very hard fought point against a solid and well established Alton team.

Hopefully with the leagues bedding down next season, we can continue to grow and develop and pick up a few more points moving forward.

Acknowledgements

Massive thanks to my 2 people without who – none of this would be possible

Steve Brunton who organises all of the admin, finance, games, referees and allows me to get on with the main part of my role – the football!!

Andy Coe – whose drive and determination has kept us going through the bad weather and the even worse results, and takes most of the coaching sessions and should take a lot of the praise for the players improvement

Also, huge thanks to regular linesman Peter Eburne, top chef Lorraine Disney and some of the most patient and vocal parent supporters in the entire league.

Position 11th (Div 3) – P20 W1 D2 L17 F10 A90 Pts5

Player’s Player – James Schofield

Clubman – Liam Grace

Manager’s Player – Jamie Coe

Top Scorer – Aaron Wright (3)

NEHYL League Cup – 1st Round

We started what we knew would be a difficult season with a mixed bag of players, many new boys and some that had never played any form of competitive football. Early on we battled hard and come close to picking up a point but went through our first eight games without a win, and were soundly beaten in both cup competitions. During this time the boys showed good improvement in terms of individual skills, playing together as a team and general work rate improvement due to improved fitness.

The turning point came in our crunch clash with Curley Park (also without a win) were we battled hard and in a scrappy encounter we didn’t play well but came away with a 2-0 victory. From there the confidence grew and we ran through 5 back to back wins and gained a very credible point against then table toppers Alton.

In terms of table positions, our league was split early on with the 4 established teams running away with the league, and the six “new” teams competing for 5th to 10th. Having been bottom for so long, it was that incredible run of results and hard work that saw us secure a very impressive sixth, with the heady heights of 5th just out of reach on narrow goal difference. A great end to a very good first season.

I would like to say thanks to all of the parents (and various other family members) who have supported and encouraged the team through good times and bad. Especially to those that have helped to organise and assist with match-day refreshments, officiating (both as referee and asst. refs), assisted coaching at training and providing transport. Special thanks to Steve Brunton, without whom the whole thing would not be possible, and his time and dedication is greatly appreciated by all of the parents.

Position 6th (Div 3) – P18 W6 D1 L11 F30 A55 Pts19

Player’s Player – Ben Drummie

Clubman – Dewi Eburne

Manager’s Player – James Schofield

Top Scorer – Jack Kavanagh (21)

NEHYL League Cup - 2nd Round

Hampshire FA Cup – 1st Round