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Brothers in Arms - A Year in the Lives of Two Very Different Footballers
Sunday December 25th 2005;
It's Christmas day in the Kilbane household - and both footballing brothers are at the family home in the town of their birth - Preston , Lancashire. Amongst all the usual festivites - although with both having games tomorrow there will be less eating, drinking and merry-making than usual - are a present for each, from their parents.
A leather-backed diary might not look much to most people - certainly it hardly compares with the luxury cars, the hugely expensive audio/visual equipment and the latest in computer technology that some of the games' top stars may be unwrapping this year, but there is method to this 'madness'.
Two men. Two brothers. Two footballers. Two different worlds - 27-year old Kevin Kilbane plays for Premiership Birmingham City whilst older brother (31) Farrell Kilbane is on the books of Conference North side Burscough . This is the story of their 2006.
12-26-2004, 12:18 PM
Brothers in Arms - A Year in the Lives of Two Very Different Footballers Post #2
Here we go again. Bit different this one - I'm managing Burscough in the Conference North, and signed Farrell Kilbane over the summer. This is my attempt to 'serialise' the lives of two very different footballers, at two very different clubs. Obviously, I'm not managing Kevin's club as well, so we'll have to see how that one goes. If he isn't playing, it shouldnt impact too much on the story, as it will give me the chance to write about life when you are not in the team. Farrell is my skipper, carved out of granite it seems, so most likely will be involved a lot.
As I'm writing this on Boxing Day, whilst waiting for Sport on Five and an afternoon of football to begin, Merry Christmas everyone :thup:
Tech details;
FM05, patched. England (All Leagues), Belarus (All Leagues, Full Detail), top divisions only of Germany, France, Holland, Italy, Spain and Scotland.
12-26-2004, 02:29 PM
Brothers in Arms - A Year in the Lives of Two Very Different Footballers Post #3
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Brian of Nazareth:
Good luck with this D_S. Be careful too - lest you fall into dire straits <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Nah, my team are more like the Sultans of Swing
Cheers Bri, Cheers Simon :thup:
12-26-2004, 05:16 PM
Brothers in Arms - A Year in the Lives of Two Very Different Footballers Post #6
Happy New Year! - or not. It's not started too well. Going to Anfield is always tough, and although they started the day in 14th, below ourselves, they got off to a far better start. 2 in the space of 3 minutes just before the break were enough, and although Matty Sadler scored right at the end, it was never going to be enough.
As for me, well, I started, and played the whole game, but up front alongside Clinton Morrison. I was also booked - it's my first of the season, and I was a little disapointed about it, because it was the only foul I committed all game. Still, things can - and will - get better!
Liverpool 2 - Birmingham City 1
Farrell Kilbane
Dear Diary;
What a start! - Southport are flying, second in the table, and we are now up to 8th. Things are looking good - today Ian Pulman whacked a hatrick in a 3-2 win. It's a shame about Ian really, none of us expect him to be around for much longer - the gaffer managed to bring him in on loan from Gravesend, but there's not the money to make it permanent.
Talking about the Gaffer, he's been getting a fair bit of praise recently. Tony Roberts, the Southport boss, told the papers that he rates him - and called him a nice guy to boot. I can't argue against that - he signed me from Southport in the summer, and immediatley made me captain - so he's doing alright already!
As for me, today wasn't so good on a personal note. I scored my first for the club on Boxing Day, but this time I only lasted an hour - taken off after picking up another booking. It's my fourth of the season, so if I pick up another, I'm suspended for one match. I'll have to learn to be careful. This one was justified - I tripped the lad Robinson, but luckily they put the free kick over the bar. Still, a good start to 2006 for the boys, but not, so I hear, for our kid. Just off to watch Match of the Day and have a look to see how he did. He can't moan though - playing in the Premiership, he's on £18,500 a week - me, I take home £50. Luckily, I've got the plastering to keep the missus happy!
Burscough 3 - Southport 2
12-27-2004, 09:47 AM
Brothers in Arms - A Year in the Lives of Two Very Different Footballers Post #7
Still, at least it was at home - against Leigh RMI - and at least we got the start we wanted! - We began really well, and I suppose I set up the move that led to the opener - had all the time in the world to intercept a pass, and knocked it out to the left. Gary Martindale did the rest - and yet again, Ian Pulman finished from close range, although apparently it went down as an Own Goal by the 'keeper. Unfortunatley, we couldn't hold on - young Gary Bunting, in at left back, slipped, and McCarthy headed home a corner for them on 69.
He looked gutted - but no individual takes the blame in this team. I didn't have the best of days either, the legs were starting to feel it towards the end, and to be honest I was glad when the boss took me off for Miles Chamberlain. Hope I'll be OK for Saturday though - we're up for the Cup, at home to Ipswich in the Third Round!
Burscough 1 - Leigh RMI 1
12-27-2004, 12:19 PM
Brothers in Arms - A Year in the Lives of Two Very Different Footballers Post #8
Cup time! - Everyone loves the FA Cup, and it's a competition I'd love to win - one day. It won't be this season - we're out already. Drawing Newcastle meant we were always going to have a tough game, and we were beaten 2-1, despite being level at one stage through Clinton Morrison.
I was booked - again - maybe I've been watching Farrell too much! . I did stay on for the whole game though, again on the left of a five-man midfield. Last week I said I was playing as a striker, but really, it is more of a midfield position. Certainly I've been doing more defending than in my usual role as a left winger!
We've got a really tough couple of games coming up - Newcastle and Arsenal next!
Newcastle 2 - Birmingham 1
Farrell Kilbane
Dear Diary;
Today was not a good day. We walked out, as usual, at the Victoria Stadium full of hope. A couple of hours later, we sat in silence after being given a real lesson in how to play football. Ipswich thumped us 5-1, sending us out of the FA Cup. We didn't have the best of buildups - my young central defensive partner, Wes Beckles, picked up an ankle injury in midweek, and although Miles Chamberlain tried his best, he is a little short of match fitness. As for Ipswich, Darren Bent's hatrick proved he is a player of real class - he caused us all sorts of trouble. The opener was, from our defensive point of view, very disapointing - young defender Chris Casement headed home from a corner. Kevin Horlock's fifth on 79 was just the icing on the cake for Ipswich. We did, though, score - Gary Martindale grabbed an absolute peach, probably a contender for Goal of the Round - he just blasted it from 25 yards, and the 'keeper had no chance.
Still, we did at least get a big crowd - the Chairman told us that we should be proud, as the game has raised a lot of money for the club - over 2300 apparently. Wonder if they will be there next week?
Burscough 1 - Ipswich 5
12-28-2004, 05:13 PM
Brothers in Arms - A Year in the Lives of Two Very Different Footballers Post #10
Typical. Just as I was getting a run in the team, I'm crocked. I overstretched to reach a pass in training, and I felt my knee instantly. The Physio, Steve Branigan, had a look, and I've strained ligaments. It's nothing too major, but unfortunatley the only thing I can do is rest. I'll be out for about a Month, missing a really crucial part of the season, especially as we are in a position in the table (14th) where we could either do very well and get into a fight for a European spot, or get sucked into a relegation battle.
It's also the January transfer window - and I hope the boss, Sam Allardyce, doesen't decide to bring somebody else in. I'm confident that I can get back in the team with the squad as it is now, but if the boss brings somebody else in, you always begin to worry.
I'll have to put it out of my mind - here we go, a hard month of recuperation and rehabiliation awaits.
Farrell Kilbane
Dear Diary;
Where has it gone wrong?! - We were truly terrible today. We went up to Marine in horrible wet and windy conditions - and got truly thumped. We lost Gary Martindale to injury earlier in the week, and today, in between losing 4-0, Ian Pulman broke his toe - he's out for a couple of months, the Doc says - it's just what we as a club, and Ian as a player, could do without.
All the players are feeling the strain a little - we've been playing with a fairly regular side, and with a lot of youngsters, there are inevitably lads around the club who are looking tired. Still, we've got a few months yet left to play.
Really, we should be safe from relegation now, but you never know. The boss just wants us to focus on our own game, instead of any other club. We could still make a charge for the playoffs even - it's pretty tight at the moment.
It could be worse though - Kev rang me earlier to let me know that he's out for a month. At least I'm still fit.
Brothers in Arms - A Year in the Lives of Two Very Different Footballers 
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