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just before the season started. There were no issues in the administration
side of things and, most importantly, the squad was full each week
with regular players and this even occurred after a set of defeats
and a season which I'd class as below average. I decided at the
start to make sure that we had a set of 14 "Regular" players.
Regular as in being there each week with the only excuses allowed
for absence being injury or some other important event. A "Non-regular"
is someone who was signed on, but wasn't there each week due to
work, Sunderland games, etc. They were generally called on when
some of the original 13 (or 14) were unavailable. I also tended
to have an unwritten rule when someone was missing the week before,
then they'd start on the bench the following week, unless we'd had
a defeat the week before. I didn't really want to change a winning
side, but I made sure this wasn't set in stone as one thing I didn’t
want to do was box myself into a corner in regards to rules. Looking
back, this plan did actually tend encourage players to be there
every week and we had some games with identical teams to the week
before - which is a first. The other slight change was the substitute’s
policy. If we had three players on the sidelines, they would make
an appearance for at least just under a half. Some players were
subbed more than others, but that was mainly due to the fact that
there tended to be two or more players competent in the same position.
I also tried to avoid subbing the same player twice in two games.
So if someone was subbed or came on as a sub in a game, the following
week, he was likely to play the whole game, but sometimes this was
unavoidable. I've always said that the lads on the sidelines aren't
there in case someone gets injured. The system seems to work as
we've tended to have a full complement of players for every game.
The only major let down this season was away to the Dolphin in the
cup game when both Jimmy and Lewis dropped the team in it on the
day. Ironically, a similar thing happened in our last League game
of the season, but some of the non-regulars were called up and we
ended up having a full side with two substitutes. That speaks volumes
of the squad we had this season.
That's
not to say that we didn't lose players during the starting weeks.
Jase Amour before the first competitive game. Greenwell after the
first friendly. Tommy Wilko after the first few games. Andy Swinhoe
injured in his first friendly. Jimmy Raeper vanished after a few
games. Tommy Bell rejoined the team, was then working, then transferred
(again). They all sort of vanished for a while, but they were immediately
replaced and some returned briefly for appearances now and then.
Danny Hodgson came back into the side with renewed vigour, while
new starters included Mickey Donkin, Brian Marley, Stephen Lewis,
Dave “Simma” Simpson and Anthony Yates being ever present all season.
In goal, Watty, our number one since 2002, had to retire a few games
into the season and was replaced. Firstly by Muers, then Gav Kershaw,
who came in for one game, before we settled on Simma, who performed
tremendously and was exceptionally tall and agile (something we
haven't had in our 'keepers). One of the finds of the season was
Mark Middlemiss who came in for a "trial" against Redby
U18. This was unusual as most if not all tended to come from the
6-a-side. However, he added a huge amount of ball winning abilities
in the middle which we've notoriously lacked for all our existence
and adequately compensated for Tommy 
Wilko's
absence. Odds on favourite as Player of the Season during the start,
but eventual failure to release the ball later in the season negated
the good work in winning the ball. Nevertheless, a huge asset to
the side. Anthony Yates also came in and moved from a nondescript
full back position in his other team's to cause havoc on the wings
and up front being our leading scorer. Unfortunately, the goals
dried up at the end of the season and he nearly got caught by Dave
Gourlay with 18 goals to Yatesy’s 19. Chances were created, but
lack of composure let him down. Donkin was a useful regular addition,
but lack of goals in attack, which was his favoured position, saw
him farmed out wide on most later occasions as well as full back.
He was subbed more times than he really wanted to be. Brian Marley
and Stephen Lewis formed left back and centre half. Bri performed
superbly and was a strong contender for Player of the Season and
came a close second. Lewis started brightly but slowly transformed
into the Stubba of the team and struggled to take criticism on most
occasions. Defensively though, he was quite strong.
For all the regulars, Dixon, Gourlay, Muers, Tim and Staples - they
all did well and formed the back bone of the side. Dixon, still
unsure of his position, played in several and did well in all. Gourlay
and Stapes weighed in with some very important goals and both probably
had their best season to date in a Sassco shirt. Gourlay deserved
his Player of the Season Award as he seemed to be the only consistent
performer, with several goals, especially during the poor games
near the end of the season. Muers was rock solid at centre half
and was awarded Man-of-the-Match on several occasions by the opposing
team. Tim was a unsung success. Rarely losing the ball and quietly
performing well in full back, wing or centre mid position when needed.
Luckily, I wasn't needed much this season. After shockingly appearing
in most games last season, I had bit part appearances and rare full
appearances (two full appearances; one against Dolphin and one in
our final "friendly game" against Redhouse FC, as well
as a good second half at Board Inn). 
The standard we were (and are) in is our natural standard. The ability
of individuals on the team itself is excellent, but on occasions
we simply lacked the aggression needed against some teams. Notably
our encounters against Premier sides as well as the second game
against Blue Bell and both encounters against Sportsman’s. We reached
our peak against Cambridge 7-2 in February and never seemed to regain
it. A game which saw Yatesy rampage through the opposition. A series
of defeats when 2-0 up (eventual 3-2 losses) were spaced out with
less than competent wins over Tavistock and Lord Seaham. We failed
miserably in all the cup competitions despite putting a decent effort
in. The League form slipped dramatically. At one stage, we were
top, but a disastrous New Year run killed off any lingering promotions
hopes. A lot of the later defeats were down to silly mistakes at
the back and the inability to kill teams off with the amount of
good chances we had. A lot of pressure was on Yates as the only
scorer, but eventually this eased off with Gourlay and Staples firing
in some good goals later in the season. Passing was sometimes poor.
We failed to release the ball when we could and tended to do it
when we had to. Training over the summer months will be individualised.
Last summer it was more of a get together, but this time, we know
what the problems are and will have the opportunity to iron them
out. The final set of games were reasonably positive. Narrow losses
to Jolly Potter (home and away) and then a chaotic game against
Redhouse FC for the final game. It was essentially a glorified friendly,
but we decided to play against them for a Cup, known as the AGUK
Cup. We'll do this each time we face off against each other.
Everything was transparent on the website as well. The reports were
straight to the point and there was always something of interest
happening to keep everyone involved. The website is genuinely massive.
Each month it's getting bigger and bigger. Despite the lack of success,
Sassco, as a team are considerably well known in the region. From
the days of having a handful of people on the site each day, it’s
expanded into something massive. I constantly bang on about it,
but the site gets 10,000 visitors each month. This is unique in
our level of football and probably really isn't fully appreciated
by most of the team. There’s always something interesting to read
on the site about the team, so it keeps the attention going. 
Redhouse
FC 5 Sassco.co.uk 2. 
We
were immediately on the back foot. The side was balanced, but at
the back it was slightly disjointed. Midfield and forwards tended
to struggle. They played a few good passes but seemed to run out
of ideas. Redhouse were awarded an early penalty which was harsh
on ourselves. A minor handball which sometimes wouldn't be given
was. John Hunt easily hammered the penalty in. Soon after, they
went ahead again. It was 3-0 or 4-0 at the break, which also included
another penalty for Brian Marley shirt pulling (or is that lifting).
A few changes. Dean went in defence, Stapes was off for Yates and
Bri pulled out to the left wing. Can't remember much about the second
half. Bit of a blur really. I do remember a "consolation"
goal, from Mickey Donkin of all people, who usually only scores
against the duffers. They scored another, but Muers, who'd been
firing blanks all season and had just celebrated passing his test,
scored an easy looping goal. Great stuff. Man of the Match was Lewis
who had a great game moving from defence to midfield in the second.
Jolly
Potter 3 Sassco.co.uk 2. 
Delighted
to say that after a discussion with Michael Soulsby, Manager of
MJS Claims Ltd. they have decided to sponsor Sassco.co.uk 11-a-side
for the 2007-2008 season and a good chance of beyond that. MJS offer
an uninsured loss recovery and non-fault management service. They
will put their customers back on the road whether they are third
part fire & theft or fully comprehensive.
Poor
performance, but a win nevertheless. Last week was a good performance
and two points dropped. Seaham should have come away with a win,
if not at least a draw. But for Sassco, it's a sign of crap team,
playing crapply and winning a crap three points. We seem to be descending
into mediocrity after a decentish season. Positions seem fine for
all the players, but there's something missing - mainly the basics.
I was overheating the more the game went on. Had another argument
with the wife so I started the verbals as the first half came to
a close. Muers took the brunt of it, but like the Emu he is, gave
it back. Lewis wanted a good write up for himself so I'll give him
a pen and a piece of paper on Tuesday. He had a decent enough day
even though Dean told him to pick his arse hole up from the astro
turf where he'd had at ripped out on Tuesday.
Plans are in place for a one week Sassco 11-a-side tour to Cyprus. The flights will be from Newcastle to Larnaca departing November 3rd 2007 & returning November 10th 2007 and the full price is as follows 
Second
half saw Digga off, while the defence reverted to normal. Gourlay
and Mark were in the middle. I nearly took Donkin off, but luckily
I didn't as he charged down the goalkeeper and scored to make it
2-0. Fatty Wardle was also unlucky to have a goal disallowed as
it seemingly went over the line, but that was it really. They definitely
should have scored. We spent so much time scuffing at the ball and
they didn't really take advantage, including an point blank effort.
We also didn't take our chance with a free-kick in the box from
a back pass.