shannon2007

The Continuation.

Ten minutes left to salvage our Champions League dream, but as Barker sent the ball back to Ross, few if any Forfar fans now really believed we could do it. We had poured our heart into the match, but it seemed it simply wasn't going to be enough, and we would have to wait another year to claim our moment of glory.

Ross passed the ball left to O'Neill, who advanced to the halfway line as the Germans backed off, then spotted and made a superb deep pass for MacDonald to run onto. As a huge gap was ripped open in the heart of the Bayern defence, MacDonald coolly slotted the ball beyond the reach of Witt, and as the fans in blue went wild with delight, we had scored. It was bedlam in the dug out, but for a second I hesitated, waiting for the offside flag that would surely ruin this illusion. But this was no illusion, we were level, and now we could win.

The last ten minutes were hectic as both sides looked for the goal that would win the Champions League, and there were no finger nails left as the clock ticked away, and finally the match was brought to an end. We were into extra time, the possibility of the silver goal. Although both sides had one or two half chances in the extra period, there was nothing concrete, and neither could score, and so the 2010 Champions League would be decided on a penalty shoot out.... I couldn't bear to watch.

retired_pahuja_satish

neither can I!

shannon2007

The Shoot Out

Penalty shoot outs are high drama. The tension can be incredible, but that are a managers nightmare. We weren’t short of volunteers though, and the five players who put themselves into the spotlight were Paul O’Neil, the regular spot kick taker, Tony Murphy, Scott Adams, Steven Murray and Alan MacDonald. And of course for young keeper Jimmy Ross, this was his chance to become one of the biggest names in European football. And he wasn’t even guaranteed to be a starter next season.

Bayern would be going first, and it was Wohlfarth who stepped us confidently………and thundered the ball into the right hand side of Ross, who had no chance. The Germans were off the mark.

Paul O’Neill would be up first for us. Confidently, he placed the ball on the spot. Our regular kick taker of course. A short run up, a solid hit.......................... too straight, and Witt saved. Bayern had the advantage as O’Neill hung his head in despair.

It was the 2nd German sub, Schweinsteiger who was up next. He took a few steps back, slammed the ball goalward…………….............and way past the post. It remained one up for Bayern, but we were back in the shoot out.

Of course, we had to score to keep it level, and up next was Murphy. He easily struck his shot home and it was all square, as the tension levels mounted.

Michael Ballack was next, and if anyone was going to score in this pressure pot situation, it was him. Ross did manage to get a hand to the ball, but it wasn’t enough to deflect it, and Bayern were back in front.

Adams now had to score to keep us level………........................and again the keeper got a touch, but like Ballacks effort, there was too much power and we were level again.

The tension was reaching breaking point, as Salihamidzic stepped up, with all of Scotland praying that he would please, please miss……But his kick was cool and professional, and now Bayern were closer to their own dreams, and the pressure was becoming untolerable.

Steven Murray was up next. The SPFA and fans Player of the Year had to score, or Bayern would be left with a kick to win the match……….................................... ....his kick was a poor one, easily saved bit Witt, and suddenly we realised our dream was almost over, as Murray made his way back to the centre in tears.

And so it fell to two players. Claudio Pizarro would win the Champions League for Bayern if he scored. Jimmy Ross could keep us in with this insanely impossible dream……… Pizarro stepped up…..and as time slowed to a stand still, he hit the ball to Ross’s right. The young keeper guessed right, diving in the direction of the ball, arms reaching, struggling desperately to push the object round the post. And as time reached the infinite, his hand touched the ball, deflecting it, turning it onto the post…………….
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……………………..and agonisingly the ball hit the post, and rebounded into the net. Bayern Munich had won the Champions League, and a group of kids lay grief stricken on the Rotterdam mud, their hearts broken in the cruellest and most unfair fashion. Our dreams had ended in tears……….

retired_loubou

Saw that my post came to late, I will change it to

Kill those stupid nazi's

Bad luck there PM

retired_pahuja_satish

:o bad luck PM. There's always next season...

retired_plong

Well done anyway :thup:

retired_embartl

flukey German fuckers

Still not bad for a club like Forfar to get that far. Come on kiddy winkles, go one better next year :thup:

retired_bbcarr

*echoes everyones elses sentiments*

i'm sure your boys will bounce back and be all the stronger for it next time :thup:

shannon2007

Thanks everyone. Was a bit dissapointing, but we're over it now

shannon2007

The Billy Buchanan Diaries – 21

The Champions League Final defeat had been a heartbreaking experience, but it was an experience that could surely only make us stronger. And there was to be further heartbreak for five more of our players, as well as Scotland as a whole. Having progress from a group containing England, Uruguay and Australia, Scotland had overcome Senegal, Romania and Denmark to reach the World Cup Final against – Honduras! It seemed a certain triumph over a side who had come through a group containing South Africa, Norway and Mexico, before disposing of Thailand, the Ukraine and Bahrain. What should surely have been a great triumph for Scotland turned to heartbreak, as they drew 2-2 after extra time, and lost on a penalty shoot out. It had been the cruellest of times for the Scottish footballing public.

But all these things have to be out behind us now, as we aim for a 4th successive SPL title, and hopefully take that one step further in the Champions League. And for myself, there is the dubious pleasure of managing the English national side. It promises to be another season of wonders…….


Squad 2010-2011

Goalkeepers

Mark Williamson(19) Youth Academy 05. (2 caps) Another great season, but injury saw him miss out on the SFA and CL Finals, as well as a probably trip to the World Cup. (46 apps, 23 conc, 27 clean sheets, 3 MoM, 7.15) (Overall: 100 apps, 47 conc, 54 clean sheets, 11 MoM, 7.25)

Jimmy Ross(18) Youth Academy 07. Filled in for Williamson again at the end of the season, and didn’t let himself down, and experience of the CL Final can only be of great benefit. (11 apps, 8 conc, 5 clean sheets, 2 MoM, 6.64) (Overall: 17 apps, 12 conc, 8 clean sheets, 3 MoM, 6.88)

John Murray(21) Youth Academy 05. Played well enough in the reserves but still looks a long way from a 1st team break through.

Kevin Smart (21) Youth Academy 06. No appearances last season . (Overall: 8 apps, 6.88)

Defence

Craig Campbell (22) (24 caps, 3 goals) Youth academy 04. A great season for our most capped player, although it was to end in the bitterest disappointment. (51 apps, 2 assists, 2 MoM, 7.35) (Overall: 195 apps, 3 goals, 21 assists, 3 MoM, 7.30)

Robert Hunter (21) (13 U-21 caps) Youth Academy 05. Only made a few appearances, and it might well turn out that Robert will need to leave to get regular 1st team action, but we hope he’ll stay. (6 apps, 6.67). (Overall: 45 apps, 3 assists, 6.78)

Paul O'Neill (20) (7 caps, 2 goals) Youth Academy 04. Great season, but injury robbed him of his chance to shine in the World Cup. Still, he’ll have plenty more chances you would think. (47 apps, 9 goals, 6 assists, 2 MoM, 7.32) (overall: 155 apps, 20 goals, 20 assists, 4 MoM, 7.13)

David Barker(17) (4 Caps) Youth Academy 07. David’s incredible rise continues as he bags his first full caps, and was in the squad for the 2010 World Cup Finals. (55 apps, 4 goals, 5 assists, 3 MoM, 7.29) (Overall: 130 apps, 8 goals, 11 assists, 4 MoM, 7.28)

Tony Murphy (16) Youth Academy 09. Another young kid who stepped into the back line with ease and had a very good season. Can only get better in the years ahead. (54 apps, 5 goals, 2 assists, 6.89)

Pat Kenny (20) (2 U-21 caps) Youth Academy 06. Only managed four appearances, and we don’t expect Kenny will be at the club for all that much longer. (4 apps, 6.25) (Overall: 38 apps, 1 assists, 6.39)

Alan Kelly (22) Youth academy 04.Remains a squad player. (3 apps, 6.33) (Overall: 8 apps, 6.13)

Steven Hamilton(19) Youth Academy 07. Filled in reasonably well when needed, but clearly still has a lot to learn. (8 apps, 6.75) (Overall: 9 apps, 6.67)

Alan Lynch(18) Youth Academy 07. 4 starts, but still failing to make much impact.. (4 apps, 6.75) (Overall: 7 apps, 6.71)

Midfield

Kevin McMillan (18) (7 caps, 1 goal) Youth Academy 07. Superb season for Kevin as he became another of our players to make it into the full Scotland squad, and came on as a substitute in the World Cup Final. Won the Scottish PFA Young Player of the Year. (43 apps, 5 goals, 13 assists, 4 MoM, 7.70) (Overall: 105 apps, 14 goals, 32 assists, 7 MoM, 7.43)

Scott Adams (23) (6 caps) Youth academy 04. His excellent season saw him force his way into the Scotland squad, although he only managed a place on the bench for the World Cup Final. (43 apps, 5 goals, 12 assists, 7.33). (Overall: 94 apps, 12 goals, 26 assists, 6 MoM, 7.46)

David Davidson (20) (1 cap) Youth academy 04. Managed to win his first cap, but missed out on the World Cup. (41 apps, 15 goals, 7 assists, 2 MoM 7.51) (Overall: 78 apps, 29 goals, 16 assists, 6 MoM, 7.39)

Peter Martin (21) (8 U-21 caps) Youth Academy 05. Decent squad player, who remains a vital part of the squad. (20 apps, 1 goal, 1 MoM, 7.20) (Overall: 63 apps*, 4 goals*, 5 assists, 2 MoM, 7.14) (*Incudes 8 games and 2 goals on loan at St Mirren in 2007/08)

Ross Kelly (20) (4 U-21 caps) Youth Academy 05. Despite his obviously ability, Ross remains as a squad player at the moment. (9 apps, 7.11) (Overall: 24 apps, 1 assts, 7.09)

Mark Parker (21) (1 U-21 Cap) Youth Academy 06. Didn’t have too many chances to shine, but played well enough when the chance did come. (9 apps, 1 assist, 7.00) (Overall: 71 apps, 4 goals, 7 assists, 5 MoM, 6.82) ( Dundalk record: 62 apps, 4 goals, 6 assists, 5 MoM, 6.79 2007-2009)

Mark Mitchell (18) (1 U-21 Cap) Youth Academy 07. A great season, making the holding midfield his own in the face of very stiff competition. (49 apps, 12 goals, 5 assists, 4 MoM, 7.10) (Overall: 61 apps, 12 goals, 5 assists, 4 MoM, 7.40)

John Foley (16) Youth Academy 09. Found himself promoted to the first team squad, and managed to impress in his appearances. (14 apps, 2 assists, 7.14)


Attackers

Alan MacDonald (21) (6 U-21 caps) Youth academy 04. Finally a season in which Alan started to show the kind of finishing he should, and his efforts won him the SFW Player of the Year. His performance in the CL final, playing in the attacking midfield role leads me to believe that might in fact be his best position. (51 apps, 23 goals, 19 assists, 7 MoM, 7.05) (Overall: 166 apps, 51 goals, 38 assists, 9 MoM, 7.06)

Steven Murray(22) (12 caps, 6 goals) Youth academy 04. Now a regular for the International side, he was devastated by his penalty miss in the CL Final, and had to go off injured in the World Cup Final.But these are things that either make or break you, and Steven will just have to get over it. Was voted the SPFA Player of the Year for the 3rd year running. (46 apps, 20 goals, 15 assists, 12 MoM, 8.04 ) (Overall: 255 apps, 121 goals, 73 assists, 46 MoM, 7.70)

Scott Craig (16) (1 U-21 cap) Youth Academy 09. Made a decent impact with seven goals from eight starts and eight sub appearances. Looks to be a great prospect for the future. (16 apps, 7 goals, 5 assists, 1 MoM, 7.63)

Scott Gibson (19) ( 3 U-21 cap, 4 goal) Youth Academy 06. Not such a good season, but remains a vital part of the squad. (15 apps, 4 goals, 5 assists, 1 MoM, 7.47) (Overall: 95 apps, 39 goals, 30 assists, 10 MoM, 7.63)

John Ferguson(21) (2 caps) Youth academy 04. For some strange reason, George Burley has decided to give John a couple of caps. Not that he’s a bad player, but I hardly think he’s at that standard yet ffs. (22 apps, 8 goals, 7 assists, 7.45) (Overall: 62 apps, 22 goals, 16 assists, 4 MoM, 7.29)

John Morrison (21) Youth Academy 05 Only three first team appearances. (3 apps, 1 goal, 6.67) (Overall: 8 apps, 1 goal, 6.63)

Under 19 Squad

Goalkeepers

David Shearer (16) Youth Academy 09.

.Defence

Mark Gray (16) Youth Academy 09.

Declan Lawless (16) Youth Academy 09.

Andy Duncan (16) Youth Academy 09.

Kevin Fraser (16) Youth Academy 09.


Midfield

Craig Cameron (16) Youth Academy 09.

Scott McKeown (16) Youth Academy 09.

Gerry Walker (16) Youth Academy 09.

Gordon Paterson (16) Youth Academy 09.


Steven Cameron (16) Youth Academy 09.

John Ross (16) Youth Academy 10.

David Rae (15) Youth Academy 10.

Attackers

Andy Fraser (18) Youth Academy 09.

Paul Ferguson (16) Youth Academy 10.

Stuart Murphy (15) Youth Academy 10.

Youths who didn't make it

Paul King (18) Youth Academy 09. Has gone to Inverurie Loco Works.

Mark Rooney (20) Youth Academy 05. Released and still without a new club.

Alan Mitchell (20) Youth Academy 06. Released and still without a new club

Gary McMillan (19) Youth Academy 06. Now at Inverurie Loco Works
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David Martin (19) Youth academy 07. Has become a regular at Airdrie United without being outstanding.

Colin Gray (18) Youth academy 07. Fringe player at Derry City.

Paul Thompson (21) Youth Academy 05. Now at Bathgate Thistle.

Brian Miller (20) Youth Academy 06. Now at Maryhill.

Gordon McDonald(18) Youth Academy 07. Has quit football to become a mud wrestler.

Andy Russell(18) Youth Academy 07. Still at Nairn County.

Chris Watson(18) Youth Academy 07. Another who has quit football to become a computer geek, and regularly posts crap on the SI forums.

Kevin Scott (21) Youth academy 04. Doing fine for himself at Benburb.

Peter Breen (21) Youth Academy 05. Doing quite well at Derry City.

David Black (20) Youth Academy 06. Has moved once more, to Cambuslang Rangers, his 4th club.

John Kavanagh (19) Youth Academy 06. Still a Fraserburgh, but surely a league club will pick him up soon.

Gary Dunne (22) Youth academy 04. Still hasn’t found his way back into football yet refuses to give up hope.

John Byrne(23) Youth academy 04. Still plugging away at Pollock.

David O'Reilly (23) Youth academy 04. Has left East Fife, and in now at Buckie Thiste.

Martin Aitken (19) Youth Academy 05. Still at Benburb.

Paul Johnston (20) Youth Academy 06. Has now left Glenafton and is currently without a club.

Coaching Staff

Manager : Billy Buchanan

Assistant Manager Reserves: William McStay

Assistant Manager U-19’s: Tommy McLean

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; 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

[This message was edited by Peacemaker7 on 28 February 2004 at 14:03.]