Scotty Wright; gone too soon. 

Really sorry to hear that an old mate, Scott Wright, has passed away. Scott, his brother and a regular set of lads were the first organised “Sassco” team back in the late 90’s. We all used to play in a Washington league before we moved to Downhill in our own Sassco League. These were the days long before everyone had mobiles, where I used to ring his parents’ house to arrange games a few days before. The days where the word “dirty drop out” never existed. Simpler times.

Scotty and co. stopped playing for us when we moved to Downhill in 1999, but I was lucky to see almost the entire team playing in one our tournaments back in 2018. Scotty’s Instagram showed him enjoying life to the full with his girlfriend; following SAFC and watching England’s cricket team all over the world.

Gone too soon and condolences to the family, especially his dad and brother, who I knew very well; long before I started running football leagues. Gutted.

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Wonderful morning for football though.

After the heights of last seasons’ three game series and wins, it was crashing back down to Earth on a warm day in Rickleton.

The squad, this time, was quite good. Up top we had Aiden Turnes, while the midfield five were Bunta, Gourlay (deciding to make an appearance), Michael Parkin (making his debut), Neil Middlemiss and Wayne Ramsay.

Centre halves we had Michael Pearson making his first come back for the 11-a-side in nearly 10 years (same with Ramsay). McConville joined him as centre half. Other debutantes were Ciaran Hartley, David McSherry and Liam Paul. In goal was Paul Hogg.

So despite having a pretty decent squad out there, we struggled early on. Not surprising as we’re not a regular team – we always need to keep tight for the first 15 or 20 in these occasions. Yet, we went 3-0 down pretty quickly and didn’t really create a huge amount of chances either. 4-5-1 is good because we tend to have good ball players, but having one up top is isolating and, despite the player holding the play up reasonably well, we just didn’t create anything dangerous.

It was in the late in the first half when he got a penalty – dispatched by Gourlay. Then Ramsay launched a volley over. Murton missed a close header. This set us up for the second half where we all played well, with Parkin driving the midfield along with Murton. Unfortunately, we ran out of steam and conceded late on as the game drew to a close.

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To celebrate three back to back wins, we’re looking to upgrade the shirts.

Kappa is still the chosen make, but this combines the simple retro look of the previous Awdis designs with the Kappa brand. Sassco first used Kappa in 2008 and also used the brand for the Germany Tour in 2012. The recent 11-a-side shirt, first used in 2019 was Kappa, so the new variant is also Kappa. The rear of the shirt will re-introduce the curved Sassco lettering and the numbering in the 02, 03, 04 format.

The video shows a moment of nostalgia as Muers still can’t fit into the same shirt he attempted to in 2008.

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The traffic beats the Tash, and a 5-1 defeat.

Sassco traditionally had a huge pre-season programme – sometimes up to 10 games. We usually played higher level teams, but always enjoyed the road trips. Report as below:

On a busy Saturday afternoon, both main routes into Cramlington from our side of the county were struggling with road works. I chose both the wrong routes there and back. Travelling there we got stuck on the Tyne Tunnel traffic. On the way back, the poxy Sat Nav took us on to the A1. Nelly went AWOL and we were also lacking Dave Graham, Mark Muers and Dave Gourlay, Titch Conlin from the regular set up. Marky Mark made a return, but just about everyone else was there from the previous hammering off West Auckland Town FC.

First error occurred when I drove into the kid’s playground and parked next to the swings. Simma (aka Driving Miss David Simpson), as expected, followed me. We eventually got to the car park of the Samms Centre. The centre was quite impressive – not too different from the changing areas at Northumbria Centre. We did have the unfortunate sight of Macca’s excuse for a penis in the changing rooms. Langan and Stoker both exclaimed, “How the f**k do you f**k with that?” Macca’s reply was that he wasn’t too bothered and that he’s learned to live with his inadequacies. The second error was that Harper was missing. We were now around ten minutes away from kick off. I just assumed he’d got sick of the whole show and dropped out. I spent around one minute on tactics in the team talk and around five minutes slagging him off, only for him to ring and say that he thought it was a 3:00pm kick off. Eventually, the traffic beat the Tash back to Sunderland.

With Tash obviously not going to show for kick off, me and Gourlay hastily put together the team (Gourlay was injured, but there for moral support). Stoker was plonked in attack from the off. Newcastle BT looked impressive. They are in a higher standard than ourselves, but finished near the foot of the lower division in the Northern Alliance (that’s the League, not the pre-Iraq War rebels in the north part of Iraq). Still, they would be classed the same as a strong Premier opponent for us.

It seemed to show as they had some decent chances in the opening moments. They eventually scored, but from kick off, Macca put Stoker through to equalise. From then on it was an even game. Our left hand side was weak. An “injured” (that’s what he claims) Dixon and Macca faled to stop the opponents putting in good crosses. A lot of it was a simple lack of marking and sticking tight to the opponents. We soon leaked two easy goals. The team was in a bit of disarray. Questions were being asked by the players as a change was obviously needed, “What’s happening on the sidelines?” someone said to Dave Gourlay, to which he replied, “Well, Dov’s taking photos….”

Changes were made. McConville who was ineffective and deserved his “Fancy Dan” label was moved from centre mid to centre half. Marky replaced him. Digga and Macca were also switched. Macca was inept on the left hand side, despite assisting with Stoker’s goal. He didn’t give much help to Dixon, who spent the game kicking the ball to the opponents.

The changes didn’t do too much. Within minutes, they were 4-1 up with a simple through ball. Eventually they got another and it was 5-1. After this, I came on to replace Dixon and the team immediately received a lift. No more goals were leaked. I can’t take all the credit, as Simpson pulled off some excellent stops throughout the ninety minutes. I went up for a corner in the last minute, but was thwarted by the ‘keeper when a goal was certain.

A good day out. Traffic was a bugger, but the Tash’s complaint that we need more local games is quite insular. He needs to realise that Sassco go out far and wide to promote the name. Sort yourself out Tash and give your head a shake. The pitch was quite hard, but the venue was excellent (in my opinion). The weather was also excellent. A bad result though, but mind you, I got some good photos of the airplanes and trains.

“Dov did well,” quotes Michael Pearson. ” We need experience like him in the team. These young-un’s like Campbell and Mulvaney haven’t got a clue.”

“If he came on earlier, I think the score would be reduced. Bad mistake keeping Dixon on as long as he was. I’m not sure having Harper as the coach is the right choice. Sangha’s team talk; especially the section where he slagged Harper off, was poetic.” said Gourlay.

“Suck us off…” said Stoker.

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“There’s nee one here!”

…said Bunta in an SMS message which even looked angry. Luckily for him the players were there, he just didn’t know them. Most of the players didn’t really know each other, and we had a centre midfield who had never played together.

Gav Greener wanted opponents for his O40’s team, so I expected a tasty battle. Problem was that only 3 players from the previous game were available as most of the leagues were starting. However, we mustered up some players amongst the three of us:

1. Davinder Sangha got Craig Richardson, David Mordecai, Mike Baxter, Kyle Burns John Harper and David Murton
2. John Harper got Craig Mouat (who added Elliot Gardiner) and Jordan Magnish (who added Aaron Clasper)
3. Gareth Greener got Dale Greener and Andy Ryan.

I was expecting a rip-roaring team talk, as I shoehorned everyone into the standard 4-5-1, but the game was delayed horrendously. Some arsehole had decided to close the 1231, and the back routes, meaning the only way was through Penshaw and down the A19. So ‘effing and blinding, I got there around 12:15, by which Craig Richardson had to leave (as he was only due for the first half). A quick team talk saw Dale Greener and Andy Ryan slot as full backs (not their normal position), while Gav Greener gave the best left wing performance since Jeremy Corbyn. Baxter was late, so I was on the side-lines as the team dominated. The midfield was Greener, Murton, Gardiner, Magnish and Burns. We had all great ball players throughout the team, including the defence (Mouat and Harper) and both full backs resulting in holding possession. The actual back four never really play in those positions, but professionally slotted in and avoided the usually arm raising for offside.

We went a goal head from Gardiner with a precise shot. Slight indecision saw Pennywell Comrades equalise and, against the run of play, go 2-1 ahead. Despite this, we regained the momentum in the early part of the second half, when Clasper equalised.

At this time, we knew we were well on top. Baxter eventually got on and switched for Harper in defence, who did his customary half time wander back to the house. We still had one sub, but not needed as the players on the pitch made chance after chance. Gav Greener made it 3-2, with a looping shot from a crowded area and finally Clasper made it 4-2 to give us some breathing room. Kyle Burns missed a gilt edge chance just before, and Clasper could have had another few. As expected, the opponents were good at set pieces and the physical battle was there, but we matched it. A few scares from corner kicks occurred, but players got stuck in and Mordecai was strong enough in clearing, and also with a good goal kick.

A brilliant performance; one of the best. Looking back, only me, Harper and Baxter remained from the 5-4 win over AFC Washington last week, and only Murton was added back in from the 8-4 win along with Gav Greener (albeit slotting in on the left side). So, for three games in four weeks, we had completely different sides, but results were the same. We’ll be in hibernation now, unless teams get fixtures cancelled and I can cobble another eclectic team together.

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Over 60’s superstar, Nelly Richardson, fires in a (geri)hat-trick.

Only 5 players remained from our previous, resounding 8-4 win over AFC Washington.

This time we were playing on Washington’s favoured day, as they had a full squad, doing the usual warm ups and drills prior to the game. We, as normal, turned up in dribs and drabs, but the line up announced was the one which turned up. Newcomers Paul Marshall and Craig Gordon, both had strong games. Marshall standing in goal and Gordon in the middle. David “Jimmy” Raeper came back into the fold; his last game being in May 2009. John Harper also answered the call, overjoyed that we had the XXL tops which he usually wears for 45 minutes and then buggers off.

McConville, Lane, Couto, Neil Middlemiss and myself (Sangha) were the others in the team, alongside McDermont, who was last seen nodding in goals in his own net. He nearly scored another one during a tight first half, which opened up moments after Nelly Richardson strode on to the pitch to assist Baxter’s goal. AFC equalised from Liam Paul, but we quickly went 3-1 ahead, including a rare header from Richardson, before an error from Marshall lead to Ciaran’s long range kick flying in.

Second half saw Harper go on the journey, but we raced into a 4-2 lead with Barker and Richardson adding to their tally. Baxter subsequently missed two gilt edge chances as well (if that lad had pace – he’d be in the Champions’ League). The problem now was lack of numbers. Most had played in the morning and were wilting, while McConville spent the entire second half pedestrian with a calf injury (but still outperforming Macca). AFC Washington picked us off, one-by-one and eventually Liam Paul added to his tally and the inevitable equaliser and hat-trick from the same person saw AFC equalise and most likely to take the win with around 10 minutes remaining. At this stage Couto hobbled off the pitch, leaving us with 9 effective (in a matter of opinion) players, and one of those was Macca.

However, expect the unexpected, as Nelly broke the offside trap with another superb cross from Raeper, and looped the ball over the stranded ‘keeper to put Sassco 5-4 ahead. The rest of the game petered out with exceptional possession, especially from the Lane, Raeper, Middlemiss and Gordon group in the 4-5-1 formation. At the other end defence was as solid as it could have been under the circumstances. But for myself, after last week’s heroics, where I pinged the ball around like Thierry Henry; this week was reduced to pinging the ball like Lenny Henry.

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Best performance for a while.

Our third 11-a-side game was rapidly coming up and the squad was a bit up and down. We had entrants, then drop-outs, and with temperatures heading up to 30º, plus Macca in the team, we knew we needed reinforcements.

Luckily, we posted on Facebook announcing the panic. Social media has more uses than the standard abusing of black people, with the result being Gareth Greener announcing he’s available. He bolstered a formidable midfield and forward line – possibly the best we’ve had for a while. Neil Middlemiss, Mike Baxter and Greener were joined by David “Bunta” Murton, who had purchased new boots for the occasion (although I advised him to keep the receipt). Murton’s last 11-a-side appearance for Sassco was in May 2009. Up top was Michael Chapman, a natural Murton disciple. The other newbies were Kevin Dobbs (I’m sure I spent the game calling him “Robbo”) and ‘keeper Michael Smith. Both were drafted in by Anth Yates, who had to drop out. Baxter got in Clicker Clarkson, while the others were Couto, Whelam and Macca.

Immediately, Clicker gave a penalty away and the first thing that Smith did was pick the ball out of the back of the net. However, even from the off, we were dominant. The midfield sprayed it about and there were no long or through balls. All were excellent and we soon equalised from a cross and header from Dobson. Soon after, we were 2-1 down again as we didn’t clear the lines. Nevertheless, we got back on top and were 4-2 by half-time. Murton was introduced into the game after 10 minutes and his first move was to chase around the pitch in an arc from the right back position to the left midfield side and then hurtling into a challenge on the forward right wing.

By the second half, the opponents (who were formed from the Hillarys team and were joining a league) were flagging and our team took full advantage. Goals were flying in and at this stage the goal scorers were Dobson, Chappie and Greener had fired one in and Baxter had a hat-trick. Late in the second, our midfield took their foot off the pedal and we sustained a little pressure. Macca had nodded one in as an own goal, and they’d scored another. Most of the goals were given away by players at the back hanging on too long, pretending to be England. Everyone but Sangha, who had one of his best games to date with even Bunta declaring: “Sangha rock solid at RB.” although that could be “Rhythm and Blues.”

As the pressure increased, Chappie scored a superb lob over a stranded goalkeeper and then Greener scored in the dying seconds from his own half, when their keeper was off the line coming back from a corner. This rounded off a superb performance, and, as we played with the traditional retro Sassco ball it’s obvious that the traditional Sassco ball has to be the way forward, instead of these shite Nike and Adidas efforts.

In the evening there was a metal bin burning in the area where Bunta lives with his football boot box and receipt turning into ashes, as he’s back and awarded himself the Man-of-the-match award.

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Washington Deaf walloping.

So, heading back to the car; tails between our legs and blowing out of our arses, then finding out some shithousery activity. Washington Hub was where the game was, but we were next to the pitch. There were no signs as such and apparently someone from the complex told the deaf lads about the car park. All was well, but when the complex closes at 4:30pm and someone locked up at 3:30pm with no notification online was ultra shithousery. There was only one game going on and anyone but a shithouse would have realised that a few cars were there and only one game was going on. Mistakes can be made, but shithousery will always be shithousery

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Post-pandemic Sassco unbeaten so far in 2021.

Our first game after the lock down saw a similar team and similar performance to the previous game v Hillarys. We were 2-1 down with seconds left on the clock before McConville fired in an equaliser. The distraught Hillarys team were forced into penalties and lost in the shoot out, with Davey “Pie Face” Smith saving one of their spot kicks, the first he’s saved for Sassco since the save v DFFC in Portugal in 2009. The rest of the team made no mistake with Barker M, Dyke, Mordecai, Brown, and Barker N making no making no mistake from the penalty spot.

The opening half saw poor defending to allow their opener, but David Mordecai, after hours of Messenger abuse, silenced his critics for 50 seconds with a goal. Second half saw chances missed at both ends, before a dubious penalty was allowed by the “referee” after Jake scythed down an opponent in a supposedly offside position. The late goal was deserved from Sassco, as the side put plenty of pressure on the opponents. The Sassco side was Smith, Sangha, Dyke, Whelam, Barker N, Brown, McConville, Lane, Barker M, Bannister, Mordecai and Couto. 

Hillarys were organised by Ciaran H again and came with the benefit of a few subs. Sassco, as expected, had none once Couto, making his debut, limped off twice in the second.

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Another defeat for the 11-a-side.

A late report from the 11-a-side game back in October, Sassco’s last one for 2020. A mix of players with debuts from Michael Brown, David Cruickshanks. The rest of the side was David Smith, Jake Dyke, Aden Bannister, Glen Lane, Mike Barker, Paul McConville, Neil Barker, James Adams and me.

Hillarys were organised by Ciaran H and came with the benefit of a few subs. Sassco, as expected, had none.

Bit disjointed from our side. We struggled a bit and no surprise when two quick goals went in. Just lack of urgency in closing down a free ball for the first one, and Jakey undecided for the second one – fired in by Liam Paul

Eventually, we got a bit of a grip and fired one back in from Paul McConville from a tight angle. All these goals came in the first half and, surprisingly, the scoring ended there. Both sides had chances in the second, with Sassco probably having more. But we failed to hit the net and the game petered out with disappointing defeat and ample opportunity for me to moan about it.

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