Men’s Football Club Reflect Upon Mixed Season

It has been a season of mixed success for the four teams of the Warwick Men’s Football Club this year. After taking on a record number of fresher’s due to a large percentage of last year’s squad been final years, each team faced a challenge and set their own targets for the season:

First team

After expectations of promotion and some promising performances in pre-season, it was somewhat of a disappointing season for the 1’s this year, finishing 5th in division 2A. After losing their first four games, they went on a twelve game unbeaten run that got their season back on track. They also overturned their poor record against Coventry 1’s in recent years, thrashing them 4-1 at Cryfield in the Varsity match up. The Saturday Midlands University League was somewhat of a success story for the 1’s as they finish top of the West Premier League, above such teams as Coventry 1’s and Birmingham University 1’s. However, after convincingly beating Leicester University 1’s 4-1 in the quarter final, their run ended in the semi final with a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Nottingham University 1’s.

1st team captain Timi Dorgu’s highlight of the year: Warwick University 4 Coventry Polytechnic 1

Top Goal scorer: Ben Akesson 6 goals

Captain’s player of the year: Ben Akesson

Player’s player of the year: Dave Holmes

Second team

The 2’s were undoubtedly the club’s team of the year. They embodied the spirit of the club and bulldozed their way through the league, securing promotion from league 4A with two games to spare and dropping only five points in the league all year.

2nd team Captain Phil Chrimes highlight of the year: Winning 2-1 away against fellow promotion contenders Oxford Brookes 2’s to secure the title. Cue Champagne in the dressing room and all round mayhem.

Top Goal scorer: Alex Smith 7 goals

Captain’s player of the year: Gareth Roberts

Player’s player of the year: Andrew Amato(Also Fresher of the year).

Third team

The 3’s were in a tough league this season with the likes of Coventry 2’s, Oxford 2’s and indeed our own second team. Although the original aim was to avoid relegation, they continue to not be intimidated, finishing the season in 4th place and taking some noticeable scalps along the way.

3rd team Captain Josh Bradbeer’s highlight of the season: The 2-1 win over Coventry 2’s after getting beaten 6-0 away from home by them in the first game of the season.

Top goal scorer: Danny Kenna with 7 (Although team captain and right back Josh Bradbeer managed to chip in with 6 after putting himself on penalty duty).

Captain’s player of the year: Rich Hodgson

Player’s player of the year: Tom Berry

Fourth team

The performance of the fourth team almost mirrored that of the first team. After setting a target of promotion, a terrible first term with four defeats ended that hope but they turned the season around in the second term and managed to finish the season in 5th place in league 5A.

4th team captain Jon Lever’s Highlight of the season: Beating eventual league winners Northampton 3’s 5-2 away from home.

Top scorer: Graham Bettes, Campbell Naylor and Seyra Dagadu all with 4.

Captain’s player of the year: Matthew Wilson

Player’s player: Barney Alderson

Sadly a key figure at the club, Steve Sharman, left the university in December to take up a new position at the FA. Sharmo not only coached the club for 14 years but he also led the 1st team to runners-up nationally when he was a student at Warwick and he will go down as a genuine legend of UWMFC. The season ended with the club tour to Tenerife and unlike the now infamous ‘Saloufest’ it did not end in national scandal. Just 25 lads enjoying the sunshine and maybe a few well earned beers. Special thanks go to all the work of the exec this year and especially to the club captain and clubman of the year Robbie Reeson Price.