Philip Rolfe

with all due respect, how dare you beat Varese

Great story too

nerf

Gino - Thanks for the support!
Dan1111 - I can't stand Eastenders personally, but I'll let you off with that one
AFF & Ninjafish - Hope it wasn't too painful for you
Kragrock - Thanks Fortunately the board have been on my side from the start, so they're even happier after promotion.
Junichi Inamoto - Pffft, Varese I'll be happy if I can take Ragusa as far as you have taken those northeners
Thanks very much for the kind words veelhousen, Kev J and Juventinogdt


- Ragusa 2004/2005 - Player Performances -

GOALKEEPERS

Nicolas Cinalli, age 25, Goalkeeper (Argentinian)
(apps 32 - conceded 31 - clean sheets 14 - MotM 1 - AvR 6.87)
Despite the achievements of the two younger goalkeepers last year, Nicolas got his wish and found himself as the number one for pretty much the entire season. Thanks to injuries to both of his 'rivals' for the jersey, he took the starting spot at the beginning of October and has not been disturbed since; we were winning games and he was error-free, so there seemed no reason to change. A fairly solid season in terms of individual performance, vastly improved over the previous two campaigns, but I still think he is a bit shakey when dealing - or rather not dealing - with long range shots. Has a good rapport with the fans.

Antonio Di Giovanni, age 22, Goalkeeper
(apps 6 - conceded 3 - clean sheets 3 - AvR 7.00)
Antonio began the season as the starting goalkeeper, on the back of his appearances towards the end of the previous season. When he picked up a groin injury at the end of September, Cinalli took his chance and Antonio never got another look in. Still young, but I don't see a future for him as the number one choice.

Giuseppe Lenea, age 20, Goalkeeper
(apps 0(2) - conceded 0 - clean sheets 2 - AvR -.--)
It has been quite a different story compared to the previous seasons for Giuseppe. The dislocated shoulder that he suffered in pre-season was a blow, not only because he had only just returned from the broken leg but because it allowed the other keepers to stake their claim. Again the satisfactory performances by Cinalli kept him out, but he remains a talented young shot-stopper and will most likely regain his place as first choice in the near future.

nerf

DEFENDERS

Dario Italia, age 34, Centre Back
(apps 18(3) - AvR 7.04)
Dario has done well when required to fill in, even appearing in midfield on a couple of occasions, but he will be 35 years old later this summer. His contract runs out in July and we are unsure about renewing it, despite his interest in doing so, mostly due to his age and also because of Stefano Fumagalli's arrival when the transfer window opens.

Stefano Guastella, age 21, Right Back
(apps 8(3) - AvR 6.45)
Stefano has played a very small part this season, kept out in the cold by the form of Danilo Sabellini. He's an optimistic young man with a good attitude, but it will take something surprising (or another injury plague) for him to suddenly break into first team contention.

Danilo Sabellini, age 22, Right Wingback
(apps 31 - Assists 1 - AvR 7.09)
I have been very pleased with the emergence of this player, he has really grown in stature throughout the last 18 months or so. He even found himself presented with the captain's armband at one point this season, a testament to his reliability. As tough and determined as you would want a full back to be.

Simone Tamburro, age 31, Wingback
(apps 27 - Assists 2 - AvR 6.96)
An average yet decent season from the club captain, never spectacular and rarely disappointing. He has expressed a wish to move into midfield and solve our weakness in that position on the left, but considering he is the only left back at the club, that's not really likely for now.

Stuart Attewell, age 19, Centre Back (English)
(apps 25 - Assists 4 - MotM 1 - AvR 7.32)
Another excellent season from Stuart. He missed a few more games with injuries this season, but he was every bit as solid as I needed him to be when he was on the pitch. Still only 19, he has plenty of time to continue improving, and has already attracted attention from a host of English Nationwide League clubs including the likes of Bradford City and Bournemouth.

Pietro Alderuccio, age 22, Centre Back
(apps 31 - Assists 2 - AvR 7.09)
Pietro had a much better campaign this time round, really settling in and building his partnership with Attewell. No complaints, other than being more careful in the future about shirt-tugging in the box!

nerf

MIDFIELDERS

Alessandro Bonaffini, age 24, Winger
(apps 14(7) - Goals 1 - Assists 2 - AvR 6.95)
Alessandro continued his role as a backup squad player, filling in where needed. He has a big heart and never has a bad word to say, but I don't think anyone believes he will be good enough to play regularly in Serie C1.

Manolo Manoni, age 28, Winger
(apps 14(6) - Assists 1 - AvR 6.30)
No blockbusters from Manolo this season, and fewer appearances. I don't see a future for him here in Ragusa, especially when we will be looking to strengthen the midfield. Frankly, as harsh as it may sound, if I thought someone would be interested in buying Manolo then I would transfer list him.

Gaspare Pellegrino, age 22, Centre Midfield
(apps 24 - Goals 1 - Assists 4 - MotM 1 - AvR 7.41)
Despite some repeating injury problems, another very good season for Gaspare. He has managed to increase his assists tally in fewer appearances, and I can always count on him to go beyond the requirement in terms of energy and effort. Our midfield benefits hugely from the bite and drive that he brings; opposing centrocampisti don't enjoy much time on the ball when Gaspare's around.

Vladimiro Caramel, age 36, Attacking Midfield
(apps 27(1) - Assists 5 - MotM 1 - AvR 7.00)
Vladi will sadly hit 37 years old this summer, though he has shown there's life in those old legs yet. Didn't enjoy as much individual success as in previous seasons, but he was mostly played out of position to fill the gap on the left of midfield. I won't expect so much from him next season, if he decides to stick around. He was obviously especially pleased to have won the Serie C2/C title on old soil, being a former Acireale player.

Franco Chiavarini, age 25, Right Midfield (Argentinian)
(apps 35 - Goals 3 - Assists 7 - MotM 2 - AvR 7.22)
Franco has produced a much better display in his second year in Ragusa, improving on his first year in all areas. His pace down the right made him a handful for most Serie C2/C teams, and he chipped in with a pleasing amount of assists. Has also forged good relationships on the pitch with Danilo Sabellini behind him and Eddy Baggio in front of him.

nerf

ATTACKERS

Marco Cirillo, age 28, Striker
(apps 26(1) - Goals 2 - Assists 1 - MotM 2 - AvR 7.22)
Marco Cirillo was Marco Cirillo, putting in a third season of consistency in midfield. He even appeared at centre back briefly, at the height of our injury problems, and didn't exactly make a fool of himself.

Claudio Gallicchio, age 27, Striker
(apps 15(2) - Goals 1 - AvR 7.41)
Claudio surprised everyone by suddenly emerging as an extremely capable midfield player over the second half of the season, putting in some very good performances indeed and reinventing his standing in the squad. I'm sure if he had been told at the start of the season that he would only score 1 goal he would have been distraught, but I think he's fine with that now that we have decided to extend his contract.

Vittorio Emanuele Lupo, age 30, Striker
(apps 4(3) - Goals 2 - Assists 5 - AvR 7.00)
"The Wolf", as the Italian translation of his surname goes, seems destined never to get an extended run in the first team. Despite this he contributed a lot in his brief showings, linking well with Eddy Baggio in January during Fonseca's injury. Again he's another player whose days are numbered, although we're not exactly drowning in backup forwards.

Daniel Fonseca, age 35, Forward (Uruguayan)
(apps 35 - Goals 37 - Assists 14 - MotM 4 - AvR 7.82)
Last season's Fan's Player of the Year had a stellar season this time round, being fantastic from start to finish. When I offered Daniel a chance for regular football back in the summer of 2003, I thought he would add quality to the team but I wasn't expecting the scintillating performances of this season. 37 goals, 36 of which came in the league, made him the top scorer in the Serie C2/C.

Eddy Baggio, age 30, Striker
(apps 37 - Goals 37 - Assists 26 - MotM 15 - AvR 7.83)
As the other half of the most lethal strike partnership in the Italian leagues, if anyone had a more stunning season than Fonseca, it was Eddy. And the pair of them cost a total of £1,000! Eddy was permanently sizzling hot, starting with a hattrick in pre-season and culminating in his double in Tricase, banging in chance after chance that came his way throughout the season. Surely the best season of his career so far, and he will have to go to some lengths if he wants to recreate that in Serie C1.

BobBev

Congrats nerf, great achievement and terifically well written. HOF indeed!

nerf

Cheers BobBev


Wednesday 18th May 2005

In the 2nd legs of the Champions League Semi Finals, Manchester United overcame AC Milan 2-1 at Old Trafford to win the tie 4-2 on aggregate. They will go on to face Deportivo in the final, who triumphed 4-3 on aggregate in an all-Spanish match-up with Barcelona. After losing 1-3 in the 1st leg, two goals from former Barcelona player Rivaldo helped Deportivo overturn the deficit with a 3-0 victory.


Three players have signed new contracts with the club. Vladimiro Caramel extends his contract for one more season, Manolo Manoni signs on for an extra couple of seasons until 2007, and Marco Cirillo will be with Ragusa until 2008.


Saturday 21st May 2005

Goals from Freddie Ljungberg and Kanu gave Arsenal a 2-1 over London rivals Chelsea in the 2005 FA Cup final at New Wembley. It is the Gunners' 3rd FA Cup triumph in 4 years, and England defender Sol Campbell collected the man-of-the-match award again.


Sunday 22nd May 2005

The Serie C2/C may be over, but Serie A is still winding down. This morning, heading into the penultimate matches of the season, Internazionale held a 3 point lead over rivals AC Milan. Inter cruised to a 3-0 win over Cagliari and AC could only manage a 2-2 draw at Verona, meaning that Inter win their second successive scudetto even with 1 match still to play.

nerf

Wednesday 25th May 2005

England's West Ham United met Italian club Bologna in the UEFA Cup final tonight. West Ham's Jermain Defoe opened the scoring just before half-time, but Giacome Cipriani equalised on 67 minutes with a superb curling shot into the top corner. It stayed that way until 2 minutes from time, when Defoe grabbed his second goal with a right foot shot that beat Gianluca Pagliuca. As Bologna desperately pushed forward to rescue the game in the dying seconds, West Ham striker Louis Saha made it 3-1 by forcing a deflected shot over the line.

Still only 22 years old, Jermain Defoe has had an excellent season, scoring 39 goals in all competitions and also becoming a regular in the England squad, where he has collected 10 caps and scored 4 goals. Understandably, several big European clubs are said to be keeping an eye on the lively striker.


Serie C1/A club Albinoleffe have given us a message regarding our bids for Roberto Pepe, a 17 year old left sided midfielder. They say that they might consider welcoming our approaches if we were to raise an offer of £138,000,000. Tempting... but no thanks.


Wednesday 1st June 2005

The Champions League final took place between Deportivo and Manchester United, in front of over 81,000 people at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. Deportivo got off to a blistering start inside 8 minutes, when Victor sent a 25 yard rocket into the top corner. A Spaniard equalised for United, former Real Madrid striker Fernando Morientes making Victor's effort look ordinary with an even more spectacular long range strike of his own in the 83rd minute. Extra time progressed goalless, and then Diego Tristan and Joe Cole missed Deportivo's first two penalties in the shootout. However, United threw away this big chance and allowed their opponents to get back on level terms, and when Morientes missed in sudden death, Deportivo were crowned champions of Europe.


Meanwhile I'm going to have to nip down to the shops for some polish, because I now have a Serie C2/C Manager Of The Year 2004/2005 trophy to keep shiny

Blanket Jackson

WEll done nerf KUTGW

Get on Teletext!

Brilliant nerf, easily the best CM4 story on the board!