Fleet Town FC Newsletter

Dear Friends,

 

Happy New Year!

 

For the first time in a long time we got to the end of the year not having lost any home games to the weather in December, which probably means a snow deluge in January, but at least we managed to get our footie fix over the holiday period without interruption.

 

Despite the mild weather, in recent weeks there has again been the debate in the professional ranks about whether there should be a mid season/winter break here as in other European countries. Its supporters say that players could take a break and be refreshed to do battle at the business end of the season ... well for this idea I would like to say a resounding NO THANKS! What with large squads being rotated and the fact that it is, after all, a footballers job to play football. I also suspect that the owners of the clubs would not actually rest their players merely get them to play lucrative friendlies in China, Singapore, Malaysia & USA etc to swell their already bursting coffers. These debates seem a million miles away from the reality of football as personified by the Non League game where a winter break would not be good for the game – its cashflow and player fitness both probably suffering as a consequence.

 

On the subject of player fitness, Fleet Town FC players’ has improved noticeably in recent weeks helped by new training regimes and regular games no doubt.... that said, our results unfortunately have not gone as well and we enter 2012 focussed on getting the team moving up the league table.

 

On 31st we hosted league leaders Slough Town and in front of our biggest gate of the season - over 300 watched the game. We were reduced to 10 men after 40 minutes, when our goalie was sent off and our striker had to take over as we hadn’t named another goalie as a sub. That said the boys battled superbly but ultimately the match went according to the form book and the visitors came out on top 1-0, courtesy of a scrappy goal.

 

This defeat came on the back of a disappointing month where we exited the Hampshire Cup (again!) this time at Eastleigh and didn’t win a league match – losing four and drawing one against Rugby Town – who agonisingly equalised in the last minute - the sort of luck that has followed us around in recent weeks.

 

After 23 games our playing record reads W5 D2 L16 F22 A47. We are in 21st place, and involved in a dogfight with four other teams– Marlow, Bedfont Town, North Greenford and Leighton Town - to avoid the drop. At the top of the division Slough Town, Bedworth United, Beaconsfield and St Neots Town have opened up a gap and look favourites for the promotion spots even now.

 

So we now need very focussed thinking and application throughout the club as we look to turn positive play into positive results by winning our home fixtures and picking up points on our travels as all our games from now on become mini cup-ties:. As supporters we can all do our part too and there are two games at Calthorpe Park in January

On our travels we go to Chertsey, Uxbridge and Biggleswade.

 

Away from the first team, our reserves are now 9th in their division with a record of W4 D2 L7 the highlight of the month being a 6-1 win over Poole Town. The youth team only played one game in December, a 1-2 league cup defeat against Wokingham & Embrook, and a team who play in the division above the boys.

 

FTFC Ladies won in the league at last, Amy Sammut and Rhonda Stewart both scoring twice as they beat Farnham Town 4-2 to go 5th (out of 7).

 

In the Colts Steve Finns’ u11’s are 2nd in their division, still undefeated after 9 games, whilst Paul Knights’ u10 Tornado’s are top of their division. In the Girls club it’s the u14’s who are looking best placed for a promotion place, currently 3rd in their division (behind QPR & Crystal Palace)

 

Away from the football we have our next Quiz Night on Friday 13th January.

 

So as another New Year starts and we say goodbye to 2011:

Finally, may we all, players, management, coaches & committee, thank you for your support in 2011 and wish you and your families a happy, prosperous & peaceful 2012.