shannon2007

Manchester United verus Forfar Athletic
The UEFA Champions League, Semi-Finals
Wednesday 22nd April & Wednesday 6th May 2009
Old Trafford, Manchester/Station Park, Forfar

In many ways this was the biggest match we had ever played. To have reached the Semi Finals is an incredible achievement, not only with an all Scots team, but also for the most part with a team who have all come through the Forfar youth academy. And indeed, in both legs of this tie, all the players both starting and on the bench, were youth academy products.

It was, in many ways, a bit scarey to travel to a club like Manchester United. Newcastle, Lazio and Celta are big enough clubs, but Old Trafford was something else. Of course, we had already twice been to a far more illustrious club in Real Madrid, but even so, there were bound to be a whole lot of nerves on offer, and if we could come back to Station Park with our pride intact, I would be more than happy.

Thirteen minutes into the first leg, we received a huge blow, when Steven Murray had to go off injured. Fortunately, it was nothing serious, but it certainly didn't help our cause on the night. Nine minutes later, we feared the worst as Kleberson sent United ahead. Yet stubbornly we resisted the red tide, and even created some chances of our own.

There was no doubt that United had dominated the match, but as the final whistle went, we had only lost by 1-0, and that as far as I was concerned was a very respectable scoreline. It did of course mean that we would need to score twice at home without reply, and I honestly couldn't see that happening. We tried bravely, and on the night we matched United in our play, but couldn't quite find the luck in front of goal, and it ended 0-0. We were out of the Champions League.

It ended in tears, as the young lads couldn't contain their emotions of coming so close. But there is no need for tears here. We have done superbly well, and my young team has done me proud. We have come a long way, and we can only improve in the future, and I really do believe that in three or four years time, we will be able to lift that magnificent trophy. It may the dream of a mad man, only time will tell....

retired_bbcarr

brilliant effort to get so far in the champions league. and to come away from a semi final against man united with any kind of dignity still in tact is a first class achievement

BarryLFC

this is much easier than it would be IRL :p

retired_brittni10

Quite superb

This development of youth players has got me wishing I'd forked out for Cm0304 as what you're doing now is something I've always wanted to do.

Good Luck for the future

retired_tonytranbg79

V.Well done PM, I wish I could get my youngsters at Hibs to do so well

shannon2007

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Simon English:
V.Well done PM, I wish I could get my youngsters at Hibs to do so well<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

The Hibs players who start are pretty good imo.

Thanks all.

Cept HD :p

retired_tonytranbg79

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Peacemaker7:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Simon English:
V.Well done PM, I wish I could get my youngsters at Hibs to do so well<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

The Hibs players who start are pretty good imo.

True the forwards are, i kno the team is youthfull, the ones im really trying to encourage are the 16-20s (including ones ive brought in, not just the ones that start there)

May b its just me

However, the tales of the youths at forfar have inspired me to triumph with my lot so a bit more hard work and extra time on the training pitch, and the rite tactic of course, perhaps the young hibees can emulate forfar

shannon2007

The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup Final
Glasgow Rangers versus Forfar Athletic
Saturday 23 May 2009
Hampden Park, Glasgow (52,466)

The Scottish media bods were in heaven. Finally, they had one of their precious Old Firm back in with a chance of winning something. It had been a horrible season for them, as Celtic had finally finished 4th and Rangers 6th in the SPL, both teams missing out on the Champions League. But today would surely put matters rights. After all, no team outside the big two has ever won the domestic treble, and thats the way it would stay.

Rangers had a star studded line up, we had a team of youths, it was no contest really. WE would win easily. Although thats not exactly what the media were saying, but having beaten better teams than Rangers this season, the match held no fears for us. All the pressure was well and truly on Rangers, we could honestly go out and enjoy ourselves. After all, we were the best team in the country.

Rangers (4-4-2) Stefan Klos (37); Zurab Khizanishvili (27), Craig Moore (33), Stephane Gruter (23), Michael Ball (29); Fernando Ricksen (33), Stephen Hughes (26), Stuart Duff (27), Mike Zonneveld (28); Moses Ashikodi (22), Tommy Bechmann (27) subs: David MacDonald (18) (GK), Lee Miller (26), Steven Hammell (27), Andrew Jack (19), Steven MacLean (26)

But the fact was, we had a serious crises. With Pat Kenny having been playing so badly, we would be having to use Kevin Smart, a goalkeeper, at centerback. But Kevin had player there a few games now, and had played decently enough. Our real problems though were up front. Steven Murray was out, and although Scott Gibson was able to claim a place on the bench, he could only be used in a dire emergency. That meant we had to go with the largely untested John Morrison, and the largely ineffectual Alan MacDonald.

Forfar(4-4-2) Mark Williamson (18); Craig Campbell (20), Kevin Smart (19), David Barker (16), Paul O'Neill (19); Kevin McMillan (17), John Ferguson (20), Peter Martin (20), Scott Adams (22); John Morrison (20), Alan MacDonald (20) Subs: Jimmy Ross (16) (GK), Scott Gibson (18), Mark Mitchell (17), Ross Kelly (19), Pat Kenny (19)

MacDonald has found it hard living under the shadows of Murray and Gibson, and there really is no reason I can think of that he shouldn't be up there challenging them for a starting place. Its not that MacDonald is a bad player, and in training he can bang in the goals for fun. But when it comes to the real thing he is hopeless, and with only 5 goals in 19 starts and 20 sub appearances, his ratio is appalling.

Yet today was his chance to finally prove to the Forfar support that he could do it, and just 13 minutes in he gave us the lead, and suddenly you could see confidence rise. Eight minutes later, it was MacDonald again, making it two and Rangers were reeling once more. ON 32 minutes, the youngster completed a fabulous hattrick, and even if he goes on to achieve nothing else in his career, he can tell his grandchildren that he scored a hattrick against Rangers in the Cup Final, to clinch the treble for Forfar. And thats no mean feat.

Two minutes from the break, Ashikodi pulled a goal back for the beleaguered Ibrox side, but they simply couldn't find the other goals they needed as the second half fizzled out, and we had created so many pieces of history, it was impossible to count them all. We had won the treble, and our time of domination had now surely arrived.....

shannon2007

The Billy Buchanan Diaries - 18

Such a fantastic season will be tough to follow, and in many ways impossible. You cant ever achieve first's again, and last season will always be special for that. Last season's player awards saw us take a clean sweep, with Scott Gibson being voted the SPFA Young Player of the Year, Steven Murray being voted the SPFA PLayer of the Year for the 2nd year in a row, aand Scott Adams was voted Player of the Year by Scottish Football Writers. Another treble for Scotland.

This season, having cleared out a lot of the youths who had come through who werent going to make the grade, we welcome a new group from the academy and I have to say that we have one or two real gems here by the looks of it. This season will be a special one, as we will be 100% home grown, and lets hope we can prove a point, if we haven't done so already.

Pre season, we took the lads on a short tour of Brazil, losing 2-1 to Palmeiras, and winning 2-1 against Santos. We then headed to Italy, where we lost 3-2 to Chievo, then beat Fiorentina 2-0 before gaining 0-0 draws with Parma and Piacenza and we're all set again for the season ahead.

The reconstruction of the ground continues as the board have decided to add an extra tier to the west stand, and increase the capacity of the ground to 13,597 when its completed in December. Its going to be a season to look forward to, but I wopry that perhaps the fans might just be expecting too much from a still extremely young side.........

Squad 2009-2010

Goalkeepers

Mark Williamson(18) Youth Academy 05. (2 U-21 caps) After he performed well in preseason, we decided to take the risk and push Mark as the No 1, and he didn’t let us down. It’s always hard for a young keeper to make his claim, much harder than for an outfielder in my opinion, and I have to say Williamson had a superb season overall, and hopefully will have a lot more to come. (54 apps, 34 conc, 27 clean sheets, 8 MoM, 7.35)

Jimmy Ross(17) Youth Academy 07. A bright young prospect, who found himself launched from the Under 19’s to the League Cup Final overnight. He did well in the few games he managed, and will act as back up to Williamson. (6 apps, 4 conc, 3 clean sheets, 1 MoM, 7.33)

John Murray(20) Youth Academy 05. No appearances for the youngster as he finds that being a keeper makes it very hard to break through. Will be the reserve team keeper in the season ahead.

Kevin Smart (20) Youth Academy 06. A player who is a decent enough keeper, but also felt he could play outfield, and had a spell in the centre of the defence. Didn’t play overly badly, but I think we’ll let him stick to keeping from now on. (8 apps, 6.88)

Defence

Craig Campbell (21) (13 caps) Youth academy 04. At 21, Craig is now a well established international player, who can go on to achieve great things in the game. We can only hope he decides to do them with us. (55 apps, 1 goal, 6 assists, 7.38) (Overall: 144apps, 3 goals, 19 assists, 1 MoM, 7.28)

Robert Hunter (20) (8 U-21 caps) Youth Academy 05. Spent most of the season in the reserves and youths again, making three first team starts. Remains an important part of the squad. (3 apps, 6.67). (Overall: 39 apps, 3 assists, 6.79)

Paul O'Neill (19) (2 caps) Youth Academy 04. Another player who is coming along nicely and finds himself on the fringes of the full Scotland squad, gaining his first caps at that level. His best season yet for the club, and along with Campbell, we seem to have an excellent full back pairing. (54 apps, 5 goals, 12 assists, 2 MoM, 7.26) (overall: 108 apps, 11 goals, 14 assists, 2 MoM, 7.05)

David Barker(16) Youth Academy 07. (6 U-21 caps) It says a lot for a player that at just 16 years of age, he already has 6 Under 21 caps. Great season again in the left center back role, and another player who must surely eventually go on to full international honours. (41 apps, 3 goals, 2 assists, 1 MoM, 7.34) (Overall: 75 apps, 4 goals, 6 assists, 1 MoM, 7.28)


Pat Kenny (19) Youth Academy 06. Played the right centre back role for a lot of the season, but hasn’t lived up to expectations, and although he still young, he is going to have his work cut out to stay at the club as at least two of the new boys look set to push him in the next couple of years.

Alan Kelly (21) Youth academy 04. Despite really failing to make the grade so far, Alan remains at the club, as he can I’m sure be a useful squad player. (4 apps, 6.00) (Overall: 5 apps, 6.00)

Steven Hamilton(18) Youth Academy 07. Managed one first team start last season. A player who is decent enough, but still to prove whether he can hack it at this level.


Alan Lynch(17) Youth Academy 07. Managed three starts, a versatile player who can play in defence or midfield, and might be able to hold his own. (3 apps, 6.67)

Midfield

Kevin McMillan (17) (5 U-21 caps) Youth Academy 07. Still looking the part, and although he has broken into the U-21’s Kevin would be the first to admit that he still has a lot to learn. He is a player of whom we are expecting great things. (41 apps, 2 goals, 13 assists, 2 MoM, 7.17) (Overall: 62 apps, 9 goals, 19 assists, 3 MoM, 7.21)

Scott Adams (22) Youth academy 04. As the now oldest member of the squad, Scott has come on well, and fitted right into the left wing role. Perhaps doesn’t have the same ability as McMillan on the right, but still a very decent player in his own right. (51 apps, 7 goals, 14 assists, 6 MoM, 7.51).

David Davidson (19) (2 U-21 caps) Youth academy 04. Doesn’t perhaps have quite the flair or talent of Kevin Byers, but nevertheless David has had a good season, and has given us quite a few important goals. (37 apps, 14 goals, 7 assists, 7.35)

Peter Martin (20) (3 U-21 caps) Youth Academy 05. A player who continues to improve and played well when given the chance. Has a fair bit of competition for a starting place. (31 apps, 1 goal, 4 assists, 1 MoM, 7.19) (Overall: 43 apps*, 3 goals*, 5 assists, 1 MoM, 7.12) (*Incudes 8 games and 2 goals on loan at St Mirren in 2007/08)

Ross Kelly (19) Youth Academy 05. An early season injury left Ross playing catch-up, but when he did start he showed that he certainly can make an impression for us. (14 apps, 1 assist, 7.07) (Overall: 15 apps, 1 assts, 7.07)

Mark Parker (20) Youth Academy 06. Having left the club to join Dundalk, Mark has been steadily improving, and although he is far from the finished article, we decided to spend £500,000 to bring him back to the club, and we’re sure he can do a job for us. (Overall Dundalk record: 62 apps, 4 goals, 6 assists, 5 MoM, 6.79)

Mark Mitchell (17) Youth Academy 07. Managed a few appearances last season, and played fairly well. (10 apps, 7.10) (Overall: 12 apps, 7.15)

Attackers

Alan MacDonald (20) (3 U-21 caps) Youth academy 04. Another relatively poor season scoring wise, but his hattrick in the Cup Final perhaps shows that he finally losing the nervousness in front of goal and finally become the striker I realty believe he can be. (40 apps, 8 goals, 6 assists, 7.05) (Overall: 115 apps, 28 goals, 19 assists, 3 MoM, 6.85)

Steven Murray(21) (8 U-21 caps, 8 goals) Youth academy 04. Has broken into the full Scotland squad, but yet to gain his first full cap. His goals tally continues to increase each season, and last season he gained much nearer to the kind of goals to game ratio a decent striker should be getting. (46 apps, 30 goals, 15 assists, 10 MoM, 7.78 ) (Overall: 209 apps, 101 goals, 58 assists, 34 MoM, 7.61)

Scott Gibson (18) ( 1 U-21 cap, 1 goal) Youth Academy 06. After his explosive first season, wasn’t quite able to produce the same this time around but still added a lot of important goals. (47 apps, 17 goals, 15 assists, 6 MoM, 7.66)

John Ferguson(20) (7 U-21 cap, 1 goal) Youth academy 04. Has become a very important member of the squad. (24 apps, 10 goals, 6 assists, 7.06) (Overall: 40 apps, 14 goals, 9 assists, 2 MoM, 7.22)

John Morrison (20) Youth Academy 05. Managed 5 first team appearances and will be looking for more in the year ahead. (5 apps, 6.60)

Under 19 Squad

Goalkeepers

David Shearer (15) Youth Academy 09.

.Defence

Mark Gray (15) Youth Academy 09.

Declan Lawless (15) Youth Academy 09.

Andy Duncan (15) Youth Academy 09.

Kevin Fraser (15) Youth Academy 09.

Tony Murphy (15) Youth Academy 09.

Midfield

Craig Cameron (15) Youth Academy 09.

Scott McKeown (15) Youth Academy 09.

Gerry Walker (15) Youth Academy 09.

Gordon Paterson (15) Youth Academy 09.

John Foley (15) Youth Academy 09.

Steven Cameron (15) Youth Academy 09.

Attackers

Andy Fraser (16) Youth Academy 09.

Scott Craig (15) Youth Academy 09.

Paul King (17) Youth Academy 09.

Youths who didn't make it

Mark Rooney (19) Youth Academy 05. Released and still without a new club.

Alan Mitchell (18) Youth Academy 06. Released and still without a new club

Gary McMillan (19) Youth Academy 06. Released and still without a new club

David Martin (18) Youth academy 07. Released and has since been picke dup by Airdrie United.

Colin Gray (17) Youth academy 07. Another who has made his way to Ireland, also with Derry City

Paul Thompson (20) Youth Academy 05. Released and still without a new club.

Brian Miller (19) Youth Academy 06. Released and still without a new club

Gordon McDonald(17) Youth Academy 07. Released and still without a new club

Andy Russell(17) Youth Academy 07. Has moved to Nairn County.

Chris Watson(17) Youth Academy 07. Released and still without a new club

Kevin Scott (20) Youth academy 04. Not good enough for the SPL, I do believe Scott could carve our a career in the lower reaches of the game, although he’ll never make a living from it. Has since joined Benburb..

Peter Breen (20) Youth Academy 05. With a lot better keepers than Peter at the club, he was never going to succeed and so we decided to let him go, and he has found himself a new club in Ireland, Derry City.

David Black (19) Youth Academy 06. Doing adequately at Lossiemouth.

John Kavanagh (19) Youth Academy 06. Decent season at Fraserburgh.

Andy MacDonald (18) Youth Academy 07. Got involved in a gang war, and was found murdered in a dark alley. Such a waste.

Gary Dunne (21) Youth academy 04. Still hasn’t found his way back into football.

Alan Paterson (22) Has retired from football to become a baker.

John Byrne(22) Youth academy 04. Still plugging away at Pollock.
David O'Reilly (22) Youth academy 04. Doing quite crap at East Fife.

Martin Aitken (18) Youth Academy 05. Has moved from Bo’ness to Benburn.

Paul Johnston (19) Youth Academy 06. Has moved to yet another new club, this time Glenafton.

Coaching Staff

Manager : Billy Buchanan

Assistant Manager Reserves: Rivaldo

Assistant Manager U-19’s: Tommy Craig

Goalkeeping Coaches: Phil Harrington; Malcolm Thompson

Defensive Coaches: Mark Gavin; Eamonn Bannon; John Philiben; Billy Kirkwood; Tony Docherty; David O’Neill; David Bowman

Mid/Attacking Coaches: Chris McAllister; Mark Watson; Craig Kennedy; Karel Lukes; George Adams; Eddie May; Tommy McLean; William McStay; Jan Wouters; Mario Stanic; Fran; John Ritchie

Physios: Brian McNeill; Alistair MacFie; Hugh Allan; Jim Fallon; Paul Greene; Jim Peacock; Don Hutchison; Henning Berg; Nuno Capucho; Winston Bogarde; Jerome Morel

shannon2007

The Billy Buchanan Diaries - 19

We were - and whether its right or not I remain unconvinced - made favourites to win the SPL this season. There is so much that can go wrong in a season, especially in a squad so young. And yet, by the end of December, having reached the halfway point of 19 games, we were unbeaten having won 14 and drawn 5, and had only lost eight goals. Thirteen points clear, a third successive title was ours for the taking.

The treble though wouldn't be ours for the taking, as we lost out on a penalty shoot out to Inverness and so that ended that. Its probably not a bad a thing, as it means less games to play.

Our main point of interest again though, was of course the Champions League. We found ourselves paired again with Anderlecht, and also with Hamburg and Porto. Hardly an easy group, but then you're not going to find it easy in this competition. We started with a hard fought 2-1 home win over Anderlecht, before losing out 2-0 to Hamburg in Germany, and after two games, everyone had three points.

The double header was against Porto, and we overwhelmed them on their own patch by three nil, before a stunning five nil triumph at home saw us ease into the driving seat of the group. A 1-1 draw in Belgium was enough to see us through, but to make it look better, we ended by defeating Hamburg 2-1, and in the last sixteen we were pulled out of the hat against Newcastle.

I'm still convinced we arent yet strong enough to win the Champions League, but I think we can be there or thereabouts, and it wont be too long before we can have an actual shot of winning. Yes, it really is that crazy.....