retired_edmari

July 28, 2004

Absolutely chuff all news to report, so my attention was only pointlessly focused on the first legs of the Champions League Second Qualifier things. Shelbourne played well, taking an impressive 1-1 draw home from Trabzonspor. But Rhyl didn’t perform so well, losing 3-0 in Sweden. Never mind, hey.

The only news other than those was Everton’s Joseph Yobo heading out to Real Sociedad in Spain for £4.9m, thus strangely becoming the biggest transfer of the summer.

July 29, 2004

Happy news kicked off my Thursday morning, as Elliott Ward finally finished weighing up the pros and cons of joining Hornchurch and somehow worked out the pros win. He joins until October. Not much else happened until the evening, and the EURO Cup First Qualifying Round Second Legs.

Bohemians made it through, beating Shamkir 6-3 on aggregate, but Longford couldn’t join them among the Irish reps in the next stage. They lost 3-0 against Maribor. Haverfordwest and TNS flew the Welsh flag, and both lost 3-0 at home to end their residence in the competition. Northern Ireland, finally, enjoyed mixed success. Portadown lost at Ekranas but went through 4-3 on aggregate, but Glentoran lost 2-1 to to Sileks, again, to go out 4-2 overall. More from those UK & Irish reps in Round 2 in a couple of weeks…

August 1, 2004

I’d enjoyed a couple of nice quiet days away from the football world – mostly. Just a couple of brief training sessions as we continue to try and prepare for the season that beckons. The rest of Friday and Saturday was spent either in bed, or with the lady of my life, or both. Ahem.

My first monthly appraisal came, though. Not overly confidence building was the brief e-mail from Gary, informing me that he and his cronies remained confident in my abilities. Well, good. I suppose…

Friendly
The Stadium, Upminster
Hornchurch v Romford

This one had me less worried than those before, for some reason. The side saw 2 changes from before. Ashley Harris was injured and will be replaced by Weatherstone, while Ward immediately joins McCarthy in central defence, pushing Matthews out. Goodfellow remains injured from before his arrival and will do until into the season, so his debut beckons later on.

Worryingly, Romford ran the show early on, creating a handful of chances, all of which were wasted, before we began to wake up and play some of the football that had League Two side Southend dazed. Shaun Carey ‘eventually’ gave us the expected lead ten minutes in. I didn’t jump, I didn’t dance. I was slowly warming to this job and staying calm no matter what.

Naturally my happy frame of mind had to be ruined. Who better to concede your first goal against than the might of Romford. Yes. They equalised mid-way through the first half with a beautiful strike from Lee Parsons. And that goal kept the scores level until half time. This game really was becoming a friendly, in every sense of the word. Both sets of attackers seemed almost offended to be handed a chance to put their side in front and no-one really looked like adding their name to the scoresheet.

Just before the hour mark, good old Tarkan Mustafa came off the bench and gave away a penalty. Romford happily obliged and went ahead. There went that happy, calm, warming to management feeling.

And 2-1 it ended. We dominated in all areas of the field, but suffered a painful inability to convert chances into goals. Still, at least Ward played well enough to warrant the night’s I’ve spent waiting for him to make up his mind.

Hornchurch 1 (Carey 10) Romford 2 (Parsons 24, Joyce pen 60)
Attendance: 123
Man of the Match: Paul Joyce (Romford)

Oh what a way to end the friendlies…

retired_edmari

August 2, 2004

Another one of those annoying phone calls, asking me how much I’ll flog someone for. This week’s subject is young goalkeeper Jake Whincup, and the enquiring Hitchin were asked to stump up £16000 for his services.

Other than that it was one of those pointless quiet days. Out of boredom I sent Man Utd an offer to take 19 year old striker David Poole on loan. The youngster looks like he’ll be a superb piece of business, if he joins…


August 4, 2004

Another dull one, as was yesterday hence the lack of any entry to my little diary, but at least tonight saw some European action to keep us all entertained. Rhyl saw the Welsh hopes crash and burn, as they lost 2-1 at home to Djurgarden, and 5-1 overall. Shelbourne kept the Irish flag flying high though, beating Turkish side Trabzonspor 2-1 at home, to go through with the aggregate score of 3-2.

Shelbourne’s qualification earns them the ever-so-slightly more challenging tie with Deportivo in the final qualification phase. And of course the English & Scottish sides join us now. Man Utd face Rhyl’s conquerors Djurgarden, Liverpool play Shakhtar and Rangers will take on Sheriff.

Late on I heard news that Hitchin weren’t prepared to bid the asked £16000 for Whincup. Fair enough. Don’t.

August 6, 2004

It appears as though we face competition to land Mr Poole on loan, as Scarborough at Darlington come in with bids for a similar deal. Other than that, little goes on in the footballing world. Marvellous…

August 7, 2004

Another quiet day where little goes on, and once more myself and the lovely Sam were at a loss with what to do with a free evening. Therefore after much indecision, we ended up sitting in the corner of our own little pub for a few drinks and some light conversation. Well that was the plan. Soon enough I was dragged kicking and screaming from that chat and instead I sat earwigging a conversation between pub regulars, and big Hornchurch fans, Mick & Dave.

”So Mick, whaddya think about this new chap in charge of our lads?” Asked Dave
“Ah I dunno Dave, aint really heard much of him yet. Don’t think I’ve even seen his mugshot anyway actually. Seems to be playing his cards close to his chest so far” replied the taller, and more drunk, Mick.
“Yeah, but I like his tactics – or I did anyway. Never seen us attack so well as we did against Southend, definitely not against a team that far above us anyway.”
“True, true. Twas a cracking game.” Continued Mick, “but then he lost to Romford”
“Yeah. Y’know I didn’t even know Romford had a team. Last I heard one half was covered by us, and the rest supported Dagenham. And then there’s the cockney wannabes who support West Ham.” Added Dave, slowly breaking into laughter “But we found Romford’s very own team. We came, we saw, and we f---ing lost!”
“You cheeky f-“ I muttered to myself, cutting myself short to smile, nod, and ease back into the conversation with Sam that I’d drifted out of a short while ago.
“I’ll give him it though, he’s an ambitious sort. Everywhere I look we seem to be getting linked with these big-team players on loan. Got that youngster in from Upton haven’t we?”
“Yeah true. I reckon we’ll do well. Anyway, see you soon pal.” Mick said, turning and leaving the bar.

A smug smile began to stretch my ever emotionless face. Then I remembered I had to haul myself back into life and the chat with the other half. Too late. I was being given one of those ‘gonna slap you’ looks. Fortunately with some quickfire apology work and another vodka & orange, I was forgiven and the desire to slap me subsided, but I couldn’t help worrying.

I worried because I’ve been in the job for only a month, and it’s starting to affect my lovelife, my mind, my everything. Somehow I didn’t care. As we strolled through Romford arm in arm on the way home, one thought was flooding my mind – I’m a manager of a football team. With the opening league game looming a week away, gone were the old drifting to sleep thoughts of Sam as I looked in her eyes. All I could do tonight was ponder… who’s gonna play up front???

retired_edmari

August 8, 2004

With yesterday seeing the official start to the English football season, as the Championship, League One and League Two beginning their 9 month run, today saw the Community Shield. Down at the Millennium Stadium Arsenal were facing Manchester United. An exciting match saw Van Nistelrooy put United ahead, before Reyes equalised shortly before half time. Ashley Cole made it 2-1 early in the second half but Gary Neville would equalise ten minutes later. But within two minutes more, Vieira scored to make it 3-2, which would be the final score and see the Gunners secure yet another addition for their trophy cabinet.

August 9, 2004

The week leading up to our Conference South opener began with the news that backup keeper Mark Westhead is likely to miss the game, after injuring his knee in training.

Elsewhere St Albans’ Ben Abbey joins Wealdstone for £1000. Wonderful.

August 10, 2004

Wealdstone continue raiding the transfer market, signing two more players. They’re below the regional Conference divisions, so few people care.

Thurrock, who are in our league, buy Alfreton’s Daniel Bainbridge and loan Derby’s Chris Turner until November. Some people care.

August 11, 2004

More overly ambitious loan bids are made. With Poole still deciding between Hornchurch, Scarborough and Darlington, I put in offers for 2 other strikers; Liverpool’s Neil Mellor and Arsenal’s Jérémie Aliadière. An offer also wings its merry way to Arsenal reserves midfielder Sebastian Larsson. Here’s waiting on those.

And the evening sees the Champions League Third Qualifiers First Legs. Shelbourne’s dream looks sure to end as they visit Deportivo, and promptly lie down and lose 5-0. Liverpool lose in Ukraine, as Shakhtar beat them 1-0, but Man Utd secure an English win as they defeat Djurgarden 2-0. And Rangers give the Scots some hope, winning 2-0 in Moldova.

August 12, 2004

Nothing happens until the evening, and even then it’s only the EURO Cup 2nd Qualifiers 1st Leg. Portadown keep Northern Ireland happy, beating Slavia Prague 1-0 at Shamrock Park. Ireland and Scotland are also represented here, but both lose – Bohemians going down 4-2 at Sigma Olomouc, and Dunfermline losing 3-2 at Sloga Jugomagnat. In more interesting news, 2 days to go…
August 13, 2004

It’s brown boxers time. Yes the nerves are kicking in terribly ahead of our season starting tomorrow afternoon. Never thought I’d be scared of a team like Margate, but never mind.

Received an offer of £12000 for Whincup from Slough Town today. This was readily accepted, and comes with the promise of 25% of whatever they flog him on for coming to me as well. Not that 25% will be much at all. 100% wouldn’t. It’s Slough, for Pete’s sake.

Better news arrives as the loan offers for Larsson and Mellor are accepted. Unfortunately I don’t expect them to be joining until after the Margate game, if at all.

August 14, 2004

Conference South
The Stadium, Upminster
Hornchurch v Margate

It took a little thinking, but I finally got the team sheet decided in time. Bayes would play in goal, as was always the plan, with Locke, Ward, McCarthy and Stuart in front of him. Harris and Carey take position in defensive midfield, with Elam, Purser and Caskey their attacking counterparts. The bold move was to give the young, inexperienced (and unused in friendlies) Charlie Taylor a throw of the dice up front. He came through the same youth system that gave us Jermain Defoe, so he might be good.

I’d had the friendlies to ease me into this, but this was different. The Real Deal, so to speak. This was no kickabout in front of a hundred or two die-hard fans. The ground must’ve been nigh on half-filling it’s 2500 capacity here. I just hoped I’d make their trip worthwhile. The only man on the pitch entertaining our fans was the man between the sticks. The first 15 or so minutes was littered with chances to the visitors. Just as we pulled ourselves out of first gear, something we were struggling to do in the friendlies – barring the Southend game – we found ourselves behind. Che Stadhart latched onto John Keister’s pass and found the back of the net. My fist found the nearest wall.

The rest of the first half was an even contest, as was much of the second. But that ugly problem of failing to convert chances reared its head once more. The exciting looking Taylor was the best of the attacking bunch, hitting the woodwork and forcing a couple of excellent saves from Margate keeper Matt Bulman – who was later named Man of the Match. But the hard work would all be in vain when Moses Jjunju scored a simple tap in to make it 2-0. That would be the final result, and a highly disappointing one after some good football by my side. There was certainly hope and potential for the season ahead, but none of that is much good if we can’t bang in the odd goal…

Hornchurch 0 Margate 2 (Stadhart 22, Jjunju 61)
Attendance: 957
Man of the Match: Matthew Bulman (Margate)

I should’ve known. Ever since I came into this world back in ’74, it’s been a long, bumpy and sometimes painful ride. Things weren’t going to change for a while yet…

retired_edmari

August 15, 2004

The morning began in a slightly undesirable way, as young Dave Poole decided to head off to the north east and join Darlington for the next three months. Still, there’s hope on the others yet, if nothing else.

Another twelve grand was added to our coffers as Jake Whincup packed his backs and left for Slough. I doubt he’ll be missed, although it does mean we need a new backup keeper, or at least a backup to the backup.

August 16, 2004

The bright lights of Highbury and Anfield cause Aliadière and Mellor to reject our loan offer, but in happier news Larsson decides to come down and join us. The once-capped Sweden under 21 midfielder sorts out the midfield, and now we could just do with a striker with the desired three all rejecting the idea of a season at Hornchurch.

August 17, 2004

Another jump into the transfer market throws up another day of random, ambitious, unlikely to succeed offers. Another three attackers are targeted by loan offers. Namely they are David Bellion and Mads Timm of Man Utd, and Plymouth’s Stewart Yetton. Sunderland goalkeeper Ben Alnwick is also offered a move to take a probable place on the bench, although has the potential to break into the starting eleven if Bayes gets into difficulty. Finally an offer of £8,000 is made for experienced West Ham full-back Rufus Brevett. Just as I sit back to relax and await replies, it’s…

Conference South
Woodside Park, Bishop’s Stortford
Bishop’s Stortford v Hornchurch

Three changes come in for our first away trip of the season. Larsson gets a place in the first eleven, seeing Shaun Carey demoted to a place warming the bench. Following recovery from injury and Whincup’s departure, Westhead takes his place as substitute keeper. Finally Danny Shipp starts up front, with Taylor still recovering from a minor injury picked up against Margate.

Offside decisions have been known to cost a team dearly, but not usually in this sort of way. An early call on Stortford’s Parmenter allowed us a free kick just inside our own half. A beautiful pass from Elliott Ward found Darren Caskey on the edge of the area, and Darren happily took the opportunity to open his goalscoring account.

The match turned a lot worse for Parmenter, who picked up two yellow cards and was reflecting on his day with little more than half an hour gone. Despite this and the blow of going behind so early, the home side looked the better money for a win and we were somewhat fortunate to go in at half time with the lead intact.

Naturally, then, it was popular belief that the lead wouldn’t last. Eventually it was stolen from us as Richard Howell nodded in a cross from Alistair Heselton. The match had been slowly descending into a dull fixture and this gave it something of a kick to liven things up. It became end to end stuff for the last half hour, with both sides coming close, but in the end we were forced to settle for a draw.

Bishop’s Stortford 1 (Howell 61) Hornchurch 1 (Caskey 5)
Attendance: 1094
Man of the Match: Rob French (Bishop’s Stortford)

I was disappointed we couldn’t hold the lead we took with style early on, but I was happier just to get that first point on the board. Now it’s time to rub away that zero in the W column…

retired_sroch3032

Nice writing style!

KUTGW

Mike..

Yup, enjoyable stuff, particularly the ridiculously ambitious loan attempts

retired_edmari

Cheers for the comments guys, and flipsix - always worth a try if there's half a chance they'll join. And indeed when there isn't half a chance.


August 18, 2004

Another game was out of the way, but the season remains young and the points tally similarly undeveloped. I'd spent much of last night awake trying to think over what had to be done to improve things, and come up with next to nothing more than a few doodles on the notepad I was using.

Bolton's Andrew Brabbs joins Newport County on loan, thus reassuring my fading belief that I might be able to land some lads from big clubs on loan.

August 19, 2004

Darren Caskey decided to do a bunk from training. I let this one go, just as long as he puts in a good performance when it matters I'll allow the boy the odd unauthorised day off.

Loan offers were accepted for Alnwick, Timm, Bellion and Yetton, and now it's the less likely matter of the players deciding to join. As ever I hold up little hope of success.

August 21, 2004

As one West Ham player leaves for the Conference South, my chase for another moves up a small level. Craig Saunders joined Bognor Regis on a free transfer from the Irons, while my offer for veteran Rufus Brevett was accepted. He's not keen to discuss terms but I put on offer on the table and leave the 34 year old to think it over.

While he does, I'm busy again...

Conference South
The Stadium, Upminster
Hornchurch v Grays Athletic

On paper it was the easiest game yet. We were favourites to win the local derby, and had near enough a full squad to pick from, barring the injured Charlie Taylor. But our season was struggling to burst into life, and Grays recorded an impressive 4-1 win over Carshalton in midweek to build up some momentum. But after all, football isn't played on paper.

I needed a win in front of the home fans, just to set my mind at ease if nothing else. I think my sanity was resting on this result. So probably, was my girlfriend's.

Typically we didn't start with much bite, and paid the price within 20 minutes when Matthew Watts came out the winner after a one-on-one with Bayes. At half time we'd mustered a total of one meaningful attack, resulting in Wayne Purser blasting harmlessly wide, while Grays had troubled our defence on multiple occasions.

I think the team talk did something of a trick. Almost immediately Purser's cross caught the defence napping and eventually almost drifting into the Grays net. The resulting corner saw Ward hit the woodwork, and things were looking good. Reasonably. Things looked a lot better when Caskey scored in his second consecutive match to level things with more than half hour to play, with us still in control. From that moment on we were fully in charge and could quite easily be disappointed with the level result at full time.

Hornchurch 1 (Caskey 58) Grays 1 (Watts 18)
Attendance: 932
Man of the Match: Paul McCarthy (Hornchurch

We weren't flying yet, but nor were we particularly struggling. More than ever though I could see the need for a man up front who'll really put the chances away. Bring on the stupid loan offers :cool:

Raptor

Congratulations, this is the new Story of the Week :thup:

Shermanez

Well deserved. This is great :thup:

Mike..

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Raptor:
Congratulations, this is the new Story of the Week :thup: <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Woot! you see, ol' Flip gives you the nod and the next thing you're a star

Well done!