Middle Park Football Club

MPFC's premier night of nights is shaping up to be another stellar bash.

It will be held on Friday 31st October at The Point and members are encouraged to book their tables and buy tickets as soon as the committee are taking orders.

More details to follow ...

"If God wanted us to play football in the clouds, he’d have put grass up there." -Brian Clough

On Sunday, July 6, 2008, Middle Park Football Club was temporarily transported to an alternate universe. It is a universe where Wimbledon was the dominant force in English football in the ‘80s, not Liverpool. It is a universe where the passing, movement, and individual brilliance exhibited by Barcelona and Arsenal is scoffed at and Sam Allardyce’s Bolton Wanderers are revered as if they were the 1970 Brazil team or the 1974 Dutch team. It is a universe where Albert Park Spiders can win 11 matches on the bounce at the start of a season playing the most unimaginative combination of hoofed long balls and long throw-ins you’re ever likely of having the misfortune of witnessing.

Having turned around their diabolical early-season form to earn three victories and a draw from their past five matches, the Parkers went into the match confident of inflicting a first defeat of the season on their near neighbours from Lagoon Reserve. In the dressing room before the match, there were many words of praise for the way in which the boys had played in the past few weeks, along with words of encouragement for the task ahead. Coach Andy did his bit to fire up the troops before they took to the pitch.

There was a slight chill as Webster sent out a strong starting eleven to begin the match. Joe McCarthy continued in goal behind a back four of Reuben, Nik, Colin, and Amrit. Rob Ledger and Teddy-T took up the wings, either side of Stevie Leitch and Robin Tunderman, who were in central midfield. Andy House slotted into the hold behind Leon, who was the lone striker. That left Mickey Sprostons, Dave Plumb, Matt Lewis, Matt Wickham, and Tom John to make up a very strong bench.

As is their norm, the Parkers started slowly. In the opening ten or fifteen minutes, some slack marking and a tendency to needlessly concede possession in midfield from the home side handed the initiative to the visitors. Rather than seize on the thirds’ early match lethargy and take advantage of the opportunity to display their footballing ability, the Spiders laid down their marker for the day. The Parkers’ backline was subject to a barrage of hoof balls as the visitors tried to Bolton them into submission. Although there were a couple of near misses, they dealt with the threat without too much trouble.

As the MPFC midfield started to find their feet after the initial stage of the match, the Spiders started to show their true colours. Once they realised that they were in a match where the opposition wouldn’t be intimidated by their size and bullying attempts, they started to go down and cry to the referee whenever a Middle Park player ever had the audacity to challenge them for the ball. Truth be told, it was pretty embarrassing having to watch a bunch of paper English hard men whinge like a bunch of 8-year-olds at recess.

After a scoreless first-half, the second half was far more eventful. Coach Andy made two substitutions to start the half, sending on Sprozz Daddy for Stevie Leitch and ‘Sugar’ Plumb for Nik Trainor. It took only fifteen minutes of the second half for the Parkers to kick things off. After Leon was fouled wide on the left-wing edge of the Spiders’ box, Ammers stepped up and took Robbie Ledger’s advice to go for the far post by promptly curling one magnificently inside the near post. One-nil to the Parkers.

Sadly, the lead didn’t last nearly as long as one would have hoped. From a Spiders’ corner, an attacker managed to squeeze in front of Robin at the front post, sneaking a header behind Joe, who had been magnificent up to that point. A further ten minutes later, the ale house ballers from Lagoon had stolen a second, when a typical long throw-in caught a gust of wind and carried to a Spiders’ striker who had drifted past Ammers. Joe came out to challenge but the ball found its way to another free Spider who slotted into the uncovered goal.

In the end, it was harsh on the Parkers. However, the hard lesson that the team that plays better football doesn’t always win could prove valuable for the boys going forward. Credit to the Spiders, who have parlayed a severe lack of imagination and some big bodies into an excellent season.

MPFC Curry Night (in lieu of training)

Thursday, June 5th, 2008 @ 7 o' clock p.m.

Gharana Indian Restaurant

113 Victoria Avenue, Albert Park

ph. 9686 2444

set menu price $35/person plus drinks

(speak to Jason Hart, James Morgan, or Amrit Parmar if you are keen to attend but haven't confirmed yet)

League Start Date

The League has finally announced that the season will commence on Sunday 13 April (a week sunday). The fixtures will be released in the next day or so, however, due to the GP we will be playing away for the first 3-4 weeks.

As such, those who haven't done so, need to pull their finger out and pay rego - or at least speak with the committee to agree a payment plan - as per Andy Lumsden's email last week, the club has some significant bills it needs to pay and your rego is vital to our overall cash flow. The major of these bills being the actual registration of players with the league.

It's No Pay No Play so see the 2008 fees page for payment details.

**New players also need to complete both registration forms**

(See attached file: Player Membership form 2008 v1.0.doc) (See attached file: Vicsoccer Player Rego Form.pdf)

Practice Matches

The club has been fortunate enough to organise 4 matches this weekend, which will ensure that all teams will have game.

3rds & Veterans Vs Barnestoneworth United - J.T. Gray Reserve, Kororoit Creek Rd, Williamstown.
Both matches will either be at 10am or one at 10am and the other at 12pm.
Barnestoneworth are currently confirming ground availability.

Firsts & Reserves Vs Knox United - 99 Karoo Road, Rowville.
Matches will be at 1pm & 3pm

With the season to start the following week, this will be your last chance to impress coaches, so make sure you get down to training and let the coaches know your availability.

MPFC has entered an over 35's Veterans team this year and has secured the services of Strati as head coach to steer the ship on her inaugural voyage.

We are registered with the Victorian Soccer Federation. There's no fixture list yet, but the first friendly game is on Sunday 6th April v's Barnstoneworth FC at 10 am. So brush off the cobwebs and get down to training, you're not too old just yet!

Any players interested should contact Peter Widdows at e-mail peterwiddows2002@yahoo.com.au or on 0419-557-351.

As mentioned at Training last night, we will be having our annual pre-season Trivia night at the limerick hotel on Tuesday night (18 March 2008). This is a training session and as such players are encouraged to turn up and they can tell their better halves that it is a mandatory session. This is our traditional way of breaking in the new season and welcoming new and old back to club for the 2008 season.

For those unaware the Limerick Hotel is situated on the corner of Clarendon and Park St in South Melbourne. This pub is a club sponsor so the more support we show them the better off our club is. They are expecting us there from 7pm and everyone is encouraged to grab a meal and have a few beers.

Would be fantastic to see us pack the place out and kick the season off with a bang.

Fees for the 2008 season are $265 (including car permit) or $245 (excluding car permit).

Payment can be made electronically just ask one of the committee members for the transfer details.

You can of course always pay in person at training but the online banking method is preferred.

If you are looking to go on a payment plan please speak to either Luke Osland or one of the other committee members.

Details

Date: Tuesdays and Thursdays
Time: 7pm (sharp, arrive at 6:45pm)
Location: Our clubrooms
Shoes: Runners only (until we get full use of our home pitch back)

For all new players please contact Luke on 0402 925 281 if you have any trouble finding or accessing the ground.