The following article appeared in the programme for Racing Club Warwick v Biddulph Victoria on 16th December 2006.
The ongoing saga of one man’s season
Saturday 7th October – England v. Macedonia, Euro2008 Qualifier
Yet another trip to Old Trafford (that’s four for me already this season) for an England fixture, this time against supposed minnows Macedonia, as Steve McClaren’s boys looked to extend their winning start under their new gaffer. Going into the match the media was in an upbeat mood and there was plenty of talk about England winning both this game and the following Wednesday’s away game in Croatia to set a new record for England managers of four qualifying wins out of McClaren’s first four. How does that old saying go? Pride comes before a fall. As ever, the cognoscenti were far too ready to dismiss the Macedonians with many unwilling to accept even the remotest possibility that England would not win. Didn’t they see the match in Skopje the previous month where England scraped a 0-1 win courtesy of that man Crouch? Didn’t they remember the last time that Macedonia came to these shores and frightened the life out of the Three Lions during the course of a 2-2 draw at the St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton?
0-0 the game started and 0-0 it ended as far too many England players put in average performances. Wayne Rooney, who missed the first two competitive games of the McClaren era following that red card received during the World Cup was particularly disappointing. Man of the match went to returning centre back Ledley King, taking his place in lieu of injured Rio Ferdinand, but the fact that it was awarded to a defender speaks volumes for England’s overall performance. England’s poor draw was put into an even worse light by Scotland’s incredible home win against World Cup Finalists France at Hampden. Still worse was to come the following Wednesday with England losing 2-0 to Croatia in another miserable performance capped, if that’s the right word, by Gary Neville’s own goal thanks to Paul Robinson’s air shot clearance courtesy of a divot. In a Qualifying Group that features Russia, Croatia and Israel, it looks like England will now have their work cut out if they wish to put in an appearance in Switzerland-Austria 2008. It’s probably something to be thankful for that England don’t have another Qualifier to play until next year and it’s not until September that we play our next home game, expected to be back at Wembley at long last.
Saturday 14th October – Aston Villa v. Tottenham Hotspur, Premiership
Hands up you Villa fans. The Martin O’Neill revolution is gathering pace down at Villa Park following his period out of the game during his wife’s convalescence. I’ve followed O’Neill’s managerial career with interest since his days spent transforming Wycombe Wanderers from a handy Non-League outfit to League One main stays. The thing that I admire about O’Neill is his determination to stick to his principles come what may. As evidence I give you his loyalty to his employer that is out of kilter with far too many of his colleagues these days. Do you remember O’Neill turning down an opportunity to take the reigns at former club Nottingham Forest whilst at Wycombe? By contrast his stay at Norwich was brief - it lasted as long as it took O’Neill to realise that the funds he had been promised to strengthen the team were a fairy story that Hans Christian Andersen would have been proud of. His subsequent achievements at Celtic Park including a UEFA Cup Final appearance meant that he would have the pick of the plum jobs upon his return to the game. But O’Neill, to the surprise of many, chose Villa, at the time under the control of “Deadly” Doug Ellis but who has subsequently decided to sell out to the American Randy Learner. Suddenly Villa are a club transformed, with a top manager in charge and funds available come the opening of the transfer window. The sleeping giant awakes?
My reason for visiting Villa Park was not, however, to gaze in admiration at the claret and blue boys. Instead I wanted to take the opportunity to see Spurs for probably the only time this season. Contrasting Villa’s unbeaten start, Spurs have started the season relatively poorly by the standards of last season. I’ve got a bit of a soft spot for Spurs but, not being one of those people who sits glued to the Premiership from the comfort of my armchair, I was surprised to note one or two names in their side who I’d never heard of before. Messrs Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Hossam Gally anybody? No doubt full internationals but new to me all the same.
The game was notable for two minutes of madness from Villa’s Colombian striker Juan Pablo Angel. With a quarter of an hour remaining Villa secured a penalty following a red card offence committed by Calum Davenport – not my favourite Spurs player anyway following some unprovoked drunken abuse aimed in my direction in the Racing Club Social Club before an end of season bash a couple of years ago! Angel’s spot kick missed the target by yards – probably the worst miss I’ve witnessed since Chris Waddle’s satellite-bound kick in 1990! Spurs immediately went up the other end and Angel bulleted a header unchallenged into his own net to the general mystification of Villa supporters and team mates alike. Oh how I laughed. Sadly the away win for Spurs was not to be as, in the 81st minute, future England possible Gareth Barry cut in from the left wing to the edge of the penalty area and fired a lovely equaliser into the top right hand corner with his right foot (yes, he is supposed to be left footed). Draws were obviously the order of the day as Racing Club were also securing a draw of their own just off the M5 in Rowley Regis at the home of Oldbury United. Racing Club’s draw was a 2-2 affair with the hosts disappointingly coming from behind in stoppage time to secure their point. That said, this particular draw brought an end to three consecutive Racing Club defeats for a side shorn of many of its senior players. A corner turned perhaps?
Saturday 21st October – Racing Club v. Market Drayton Town, Midland Football Alliance
One week later and Racing Club had to settle for a point once again. First time visitors from Shropshire, Market Drayton were impressive during the first half and it was little surprise when Gary Anslow put them one-nil up on the half hour from a free kick that skidded under Tom Farmer. In truth MDT could have been three ahead at the break such was their superiority and RCW were no doubt glad to get back to the dressing rooms for some wise words from the Jose-less management team (apparently off sick having undergone some minor surgery during the week).
Whatever Bernie and Martin said, it certainly did the trick! The second half was an altogether different affair as Racing Club stepped up a few gears and took the game to Market Drayton. Matt Brown steered home an equaliser on 66 minutes and from then until the final whistle our boys threw everything into securing a winner that just would not come. The side played very well in the second 45 and I was impressed with my first sighting of new signings Beale, Millerchip and Care. A belated welcome back to Racing Club goes to David Care who is immediately the player who has made most appearances for Warwick by virtue of him having had two previous spells with our Club. His return also allows me to dust down a few old gags - it was interesting to witness Racing Club paying “without a Care” (geddit?) following his late substitution. And here’s hoping for a bit of “Intensive Care” over the coming weeks as we consolidate our position in the League!
Keep the faith!
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