retired_RICKZONE

Wednesday 21st July 2004 08:00

Louise decided not to travel with me, but said she would consider comming at a later date, if criteria, such as schools were met.

The taxi pulled up at my house in Galashiels about 8am, an emotional farewell proceded. I nearly told the taxi to go away. I nearly changed my mind. But I got in,

As the taxi pulled away, I got a last glance of my wife and son waving. This started me crying, but I had to at least try, I can always come back. The last glance of Galashiels, then the Scottish Borders. Within an hour I was approaching the terminal at Turnhouse and pulled up at front of the building. Would I ever go back to the Borders, who could tell. The taxi driver who was a personal friend of mine wished me farewell and waved the charge as I had done his accounts for the last few years. The taxi disapeared around the one way system and I was on my own.

I lifted my heavy bags up and walked towards the British Airways desk, ticket for GalaKev to Heathrow. The smart and thick in make clerk, handed my ticket to Heathrow and politely said enjoy your trip with British Airways. Into departures and awaited my plane.

I was deep in thought about what was going to happen and what I had given up, when the annoucement came over the tannoy. "British Airways is pleased to announce the boarding of flight 1522 Edinburgh Turnhouse to London Heathrow at Gate 9"

As I walked to the plane down the Gantry, the door was open and I got my last icy blast from the Scottish weather. I kept thinking I would get off but the door shut. I was on my way.

Landing at Heathrow and waiting for the Air Portugal flight to the Azores was a non entity. The highlight was posting my UB40 to the job centre. Before I knew it we were flying over the Bay of Biscay and I fell asleep into a haunted sleep about Louise and the Wee Lad, but time would tell.

retired_RICKZONE

Wednesday 21st July 2004 18:45

"Sir, SIR", I was awakened from my sleep and noticed that I was on a plane, I acknowledged the cabin crew and reality started to set in. "We are half an hour from landing, you have enough time to visit the toilet and freshen up if you wish" said the air hostess. I took her advice and went to the loo and washed my face with water. I had even missed the in flight meal.

The sun was getting low on the horizon at this stage, but there was enough to see the sea below. Suddenly the engine slowed down and the flaps started to extend and I was approaching the island of Terceira. The features started getting more and more clearer as we came closer and closer to the ground/sea. The lights of the island were twinkling in the semi darkness.

With a thump the areoplane had hit the runway, with the big jets into reverse we started slowing down on the runway. The plane turned left and started the taxing to the terminal building.

The doors opened and the heat hit me. I proceded to follow everyone else through passport control and to baggage reclaim. After a while my bags came and I walked out through arrivals.

There stood an oldish man with a borad saying GalaKev. "Thats me" I said, "Welcome, I hope you had a good journey from Scotland?" he replied. "I will take you directly to Esatdio Joao Paulo II, where he President will be waiting for you". He grabbed hold of my bags with ease, I had stuggled with these, but this old man carried them with no problem at all. I got into the car and took the short drive to the Stadium. Very little was said in this journey.

retired_RICKZONE

Wednesday 21st July 20:00

The car rolled into the ground and came to halt. "Thank you", I said to the driver and went to get to my bags. He stopped me and said "I will take these direct to your hotel".

He directed me through a set of double doors and I walked in.

Inside a gentleman approached me and shook my hands. "Hello, I am Paulo Borges". I took his hand and shook it. "This gentleman is Fernando Artur, Director of Football", I greated him in the same warm manner I had greated Mr Borges.

He took me through to his office and said "Firstly I am Paulo and this Fernando, we have no Mr basis in here". This put me at ease and Paulo opened the drinks cabinet. "What would you like to drink?". "A wee nip, I said. At this he looked confused, after second thoughts I said "Whiskey, please"

We sat around a small table and Fernanado stated "This is what we are after. We are one of the favourites to get relegated this season. We have a bit of money although not lots. We want a manager who will battle bravely against relegation this season."

"We can offer you a transfer budget of 22k euros and we can offer you just under 22k euros additional on wages this year", Fernando carried on. "We decided on you, because of your love for football. This combined with you being an accountant, hopefully your prudence will carry on with the club. Also your ten years at Berwick Rangers as a semi pro player was a huge factor for us."

Ten years as a player?, I was a supporter for ten years, not a player. I was about to say something, but decided not too. This sounded more like a script from Eastenders, Shane Ritchie watch out I'm comming to get you.

"Anyway, we would like to offer you a contract to the 30th June 2005, this would be renumerated at 80,000 euros per annum. We will purchase you a flat on the coast and pay for your wife and boy to realocate to the Azores. There is even a very good English school on the island", Paulo added. Fernado then asked "What do do you think, the ball is in your court? if you decide yes, we will hold a press conference at 9:30am tomorrow"

I stuttered, funny as I don't any other time "Give me another nip, and I will tell you". Smilling Paulo poured me a whisky. "We have started to understand the Scottish at last" he added. "But actually, I'm English" I added further.

I downed the nip and said "It would be great honour to take the role of manager for Club Sporte Lusitania"

retired_RICKZONE

Wednesday 22nd July 2004

The morning came around oh so quickly. I had a good nights kip maybe due to the Whisky.

Fernando picked me up from the hotel and drove me the short distance to the ground. It was so short i decided I would walk next time. Fernando introduced me to this fifty something guy. "GalaKev, this is your assistant manager Hildeberto". "Welcome" he said, "Thank you" I replied, but I did not rate him on our first date (So to speak). Perhaps I would have to replace him. His CV which I had read the night before was not great.

I was shown to my desk at the ground, already the name on the door had changed to GalaKev. I went in and shut the door. My office overlooked the car park and some supporters and journalists had already started milling around. I sat down, not knowing what to do next.

A knock at the door and Paulo entered. He proceded to tell me what would happen this morning. Before I knew what happened it was 9:30 am and time to face the public.

Paulo stood up "Ladies and Gentlemen, The Board of Sport Clube Lusitania would like to make a statement". There was not a sound from within the hall. "After the upheavals of losing our last manager, we would like to introduce GalaKev as the the new manager of the club".

There was a stunned silence, reporters were writing feverishly in their notepads. " I would like to on behalf of my board", Paulo continued "Welcome GalaKev to the fold. He will recieve our support over the comming months. Lustinania are too good to get relegated and we have every faith in the new manager to help us achieve this matter"

He continued "GalaKev will make a short statement, but will not answer any questions at this time"

I stood "First of all I would like to thank Mr Borges for giving me the opportunity to manage a club like Lusitania. Lustitania are too good a side to be relegated from the Portaguese league. Although I have been given the remit of keeping the team in the league, I do not see why a safe mid table position, cannot be attained. I will serve the club to my best of abilities".

Luckly Paulo did not mention my playing career at Berwick.

I continued " My first task is to arrange some pre season friendlies and to evalute the team stengths and of course weaknesses"

I had survived the press statement, although tomorrow press might say differently. But there you go I am now manager.

retired_RICKZONE

Wednesday 22nd July (after the press conference)

There is no pre season fixtures at all. I will try to arrange a game on Saturday away to non league Caranguejeira. I have approched other clubs for friendlies these involve.

Suday 1/8 away to non league Cova da Pirdade
Friday 6/8 home to Superleague Braga
Sun 16/8 home to 2nd Div Overanse
Sun 23/8 home to Naval 2nd Division.

Braga and Naval reject my friendly proposal all other games are on

My players are also great conern, I have only 1 central midfielder and only two strikers. I have 3 Defenders at left back, with only limited funds I must get my team sorted out. I need to get rid of the dead wood in order to bring players in. Maybe loan players might help?

I will aslo get my scout to look at players I am most in need of.

retired_RICKZONE

Can anyone help me.

How do I get a player who is on contract on to the coaching staff as a player/coach? I cant see anyway of doing this. This guy is at the end of his career and has been recommended by my assistant manager

shannon2007

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by GalaKev:
_Can anyone help me.

How do I get a player who is on contract on to the coaching staff as a player/coach? I cant see anyway of doing this. This guy is at the end of his career and has been recommended by my assistant manager_ <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

He has to have had gained a coaching certificate, but there doesnt appear to be a way to make him do this.

retired_RICKZONE

Thursay 22nd July 2004 (sorry my prior date went to pot)

press report:

In what may seem a surprise appointment, the Lustitania board have announced GalaKev as their new boos.

The relativley unknown English manager, who first game in charge will be against Barriense on Sunday 29th august 2004, declared he was looking forward to the challange at Esatdio Joao Paulo II.

With Lusitania amoung the favourites for relegation this season, pundits are already commenting that GalKev will have to learn quick.

Meanwhile the Lusitania board have given the full backing of their new appointment.

retired_RICKZONE

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Peacemaker7:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by GalaKev:
_Can anyone help me.

How do I get a player who is on contract on to the coaching staff as a player/coach? I cant see anyway of doing this. This guy is at the end of his career and has been recommended by my assistant manager_ <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

He has to have had gained a coaching certificate, but there doesnt appear to be a way to make him do this. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Oh well. Looks like I might have to put him out to grass. Cheers fella.

retired_RICKZONE

&lt;y team based on a lose 4-4-2 formation although could change:

GK: Armanado
DR: Aderito
DL: Luis Paulo
DC: Marceio & Marinho
MR: Paulo Campos
ML: Nuno Carlvaheiro
MC: Alex & Vacant Position
Fw: Nuno Areisas & Fernando Nelson

Subs (from)
GK: Ze To
Def: Nuno Limar, Marinho, Veradas, Nandinho
Mid: ML, MR & MC Vacant Positions
Fw: 2 Vacant Positions

Players who are no longer required are: Gilmar (DC), Paulo Johnson (DL), Rui Manuael (DC)

I think I will leave telling the 3 until tomorrow. This will hopefully free up some wages budget to give some wages for critical position as MC