Keep this going !!

Accies
Just a quick post too say well done too everyone involved in the past two weeks. Against Southbank we showed that not many teams we play against can handle us during that 20 minute spell in the second half when we went 4-1 up against a team that has beat us most times and even though we let them back into the game too 4-3 we showed that we can keep calm and shut them out too earn a well deserved win.

This week we blew the oppo away I'm pretty sure there goalie will be having nightmares for weeks !! Some of our counter attacking was top top class and at times we ran them into the ground. I said last week that I would like inswinging corners and since then I think there has been 3 direct goals from them and a header from Simon.

I thought Barry was a rock on Thursday and Scott was at the heart of nearly all 9 goals.

Lets keep this high pressure high up the pitch and let's keep the goals flowing

Can anyone lip read? What are they saying when the Chelsea crest is held up?!

Hat-trick Takes Mesner To A Century Of Accies Career Goals

We lost the match on Thursday night – our 400th ever 11-a-side, incidentally – but there was a celebration on the night nonetheless.  At the start of the match, Effra had two joint leading all-time scorers: Joe Sene and Simon Mesner, tied on 97 goals each.  90 minutes later and Simon had not only leapt ahead of Joe, but had also become the first Accie to reach 100 goals for the club.

Simon's goalscoring prowess is particularly impressive when you consider that for a good while, he was employed in 11-a-sides as a centre back.  This may seem odd to anyone who's only been with the club for five years or less, but as a defender I can assure you that we would've shipped a LOT more goals without Simon's steadying influence at the back.  But it's been a great pleasure to see Simon playing in forward positions, which have clearly suited him far better and allowed him to score a literal ton of goals.

Simon shows off his Players' Player Of The Year award in 2007

Only injuries have prevented Si from getting to 100 much sooner, in particular in 2011 when he barely featured up front.  But since he made his debut for the club on 26 January 2001, it's been marvellous to see Simon consistently putting in a high level of performance for the club, both at 5-a-side level (mainly for Dinamo Bar Pitch and Inter Effra, back during the era when we were split into two 5-a-side squads) and in 11-a-sides.  I imagine that among Simon's career highlights for the club would be the whole of 2007, when Simon formed a lethal strike partnership with former Effra player Gary White.  Simon contributed to a mighty 37-goal total between the pair and really enjoyed playing alongside Gary.  More recently, in 2009 he won the Golden Boot with 14 goals.  And just last year, he proved that he's still a force to be reckoned with, scoring an Accies career best 15 goals in the calendar year.  He has 8 so far in 2013 – an impressive total considering that competition has probably never been fiercer for the striking positions.  Our current goals-per-game total is 3.32 and if we keep that up, it'll be our best ever.

You'll have to ask Simon which have been his favourite goals among the 100 - knowing him, he can describe most, if not all of them! Two of his goals on Thursday night were truly excellent – one a fine long-range finish and one from an extremely narrow angle, in off the far post.  For what it's worth, in my opinion his best was the headed goal which made it 3-3 in the closing minutes of the Anglo-Dutch Cup in September 2007, having been 3-0 down.  We went on to win the match 9-3 in extra time and as far as I'm concerned Simon's goal was the greatest in the entire history of football!  The other 99 weren't bad either.

Simon's Accies stats in full are:
All-time - played 375, scored 100
11-a-side for Effra Academicals - played 238, scored 73
11-a-side for Inter Effra - played 1, scored 0
9-a-side for Effra Academicals - played 4, scored 0
5-a-side for Effra Academicals - played 8, scored 4
5-a-side for Dinamo Bar Pitch - played 84, scored 9
5-a-side for Inter Effra - played 40, scored 14

Our next centurion will either be Joe Sene, currently on 97 goals as mentioned above, or Sam Herbert, currently on 89 goals.  88 of Sam's 89 goals are from Accies 11-a-side games, so he's odds-on favourite to become our first 11-a-side centurion.

For now, congratulations on behalf of the whole club to Simon for an historic century.  In his own words: "Here's to the next 100!"

Fashion Special! Greg Rainey: Get The Look!

Chatting to the lads after the match yesterday, it was clear that victory wouldn't have been possible had we not all been inspired by our leader.  Not much has been put on record about what Greg brings to the party as Accies coach, but it's time to tell the world that without us having been treated to the glorious sight of his magnificent Next shorts before the match last night, we'd probably have been trounced 5-0.  Yes, his pre-match team talk urged us to get off to a better start than last week, when our first 20 minutes had been way below par.  Yes, his half-time chat was spot-on as always.  Yes, his chipped ball over the top of the Ladywell defence putting Perre clean through on goal to score the winner was inspired.

But it was the shorts what won it.  Sadly I fear they are vintage, and so unless he auctions them to raise money for the club at our forthcoming summer social, none of us will ever truly get Greg's look.  If he'd worn them during the match he'd probably have scored a double hat-trick.  A quick Google found these similar-looking items:

Mmmmmm

Yummy

Congratulations

Accies
Just too say well done in your performances in the Mid Week League so far . Most of the match Thursday we displayed the type of football we are capable of.We exploited the pace we have on the wings with Perre , Paul and Jon. Bobby and Joe bossed the midfield with Bobby by far the best player on the pitch as much as it pains me too admit it!!! The entire back four should be proud of a well earned clean sheet ignoring the strange free kick incident !! Up front we buried our chances and buried some crosses ( Mesner).If as expected we are in the semi finals and we continue this form I believe it's ours to lose.

Also thanks too Tremayne Stu and Luis for helping the oppo out and that makes me question Luis as too why he plays like Messi when against us and even left a lazy leg in too get Jon in the 2nd half !!!

Well done boys lets keep this up

Greg

"Midweek League": Semi-Final Place Secured?

Here's the state of play as far as I know:

A Postcard from Down Under

It’s a few years since I headed down south and hung up my laces with the Accies. Time flies by so quickly. I thought, since the Accies blog was looking a bit sparse in recent months, and that I had some time to hand, I’d write a few comments.

First, I’ve settled into my third season of a team in Brisbane. We are currently second in the Over-35s league with a swathe of new English talent in the side. Our progress is largely down to a new central defender (Spurs fan) and a new central midfielder (West Ham fan). We've lost only once this season, two draws, and 8 wins. It would be good to give the Accies a game – perhaps in Thailand??? Steve and Luis -- see you there! See also the team photo taken by a local journalist (note the loss of weight please).

Second, I’ll be heading back to London in the next few weeks and hoping to join you at the Dulwich ground in early August. Perhaps we will have time for a beer after – though I hear the Paxton has shut up shop.

Finally, a few myth-busting facts about Australia. One, its not ‘hot’ England – there’s no decent pubs though the beaches are great (if you like that kind of thing). Two, yes there seems to be deadly snakes, spiders and insects everywhere. Three, its not cheap living – in fact, its more expensive than London. And finally, you have to travel hours to get anywhere.

Looking forward to a warm beer with friends. 

See you soon. Wolfie.

Well done

Gents
I just wanted too say how proud I am at last nights performance , not just the playing side though. Without a ref and against a team that had one or two individuals who wanted too take advantage of this we kept our cool , played them off the park and more importantly didn't get involved in any handbags with them.

Also well done and thanks too Tremayne and Joe for helping out with splitting ref duties the 2nd half.

Thanks Sam for coming down after being told it was his turn too rest and playing a blinder sort of out of position but ending up in all the positions!!!

Thanks too Bobby and Lee for admitting my goal was probably the best they had ever seen!!

Well done lads
Up the accies

Hello Accies

Sorry in the delay in writing this post but it's taken me this long too work out how too get on here !!

First of all thanks for voting for me too be your captain it means a lot that so many of you have faith in me too carry out this role and I hope that along with Lee and Joe we can carry on Andy Thornes good work.

A couple of things

I'd like to continue this high pressure football higher up the pitch we have been playing lately. I have great faith in our team and I believe this way we won't show teams too much respect by allowing them too have the ball too far into our half

Also with regards too when the squad is in excess of 14 please be prepared that sometimes you may not find out its your week too miss out until lunchtime on the Thursday.
And if you haven't confirmed by 8pm on the Wednesday i will assume you can't play that week.
Plus I'm going too have too start again with turns of missing weeks starting from last week when joe Steve Scott and bobby missed out

I'm sure this is the start of a sucessful era for us all so let's continue with the commitment ,hardwork and great football we have played in the past 3 months

Up the accies

Greg

Accies! Once More For Glory!

On Thursday 6th June, Stuart Dade will become the second ever Accie to reach the 300 11-a-side appearances milestone.

A fantastic achievement I am sure you will agree!

I will let Stuart let you have the headline stats from his Accies career to date - but in the meantime I'm sure the new team management will lead a heartfelt applause for such a fine achievement at the game on Thursday night.

When you consider the effort Stuart has put in both on and off the pitch over the last 14 years - it is easy to see why the club should count itself lucky to have a player and club member with such passion and enthusiasm for the game, the club and the football.

Congratulations bruv - sorry I won't be there to see it. If you get offered the chance to take a  penalty.....well, I'll let you decide!!! Get up there for the corners though!

Trials For Scott & Jon

At last week's EGM it was agreed that Scott Greenwell and Jon Wise would be given 12-week trials, after which time club members will vote on whether either/both will be invited to join the club.

Their trials have been backdated to start when they played their first matches for us in 2013.

Scott's trial began on 11 April, which means his will last until 4 July.

Jon's trial began on 28 March so he is halfway through his trial but I have agreed with Greg that as he is now out injured for 3 weeks with a hamstring problem, his trial is suspended until he next plays.  If he's out for 3 weeks then his trial should end around the same time as Scott's which is handy.

Let me take this opportunity to remind everyone why we sometimes give players a trial rather than immediately voting on inviting them to join.  It is essentially for two reasons:

(a) For the player on trial to see what we're all about and decide for himself whether he wants to join full-time
(b) For us to see what kind of person the triallist is – NOT just how good a player they are.  Does he understand our ethos?  Does he play for the team, not for himself?  Does he pay his way?  And so on!

Regardless of what I think about any triallist, it does please me that people are keen to join the Accies. We must be doing something right!

Captain & Two Vice-Captains To Be Elected

The below is to the best of my recollection of last week’s EGM.  Let me know if I’ve misremembered anything!

At last week’s EGM it was agreed that team selection, tactics and other footballing matters should be managed by a panel of three club members.  The new set-up will work as follows:

There will be a Captain and two Vice-Captains.  They will work together to pick the team and communicate tactics etc to the rest of the squad. The Captain will have the ultimate say but he will be supported at all times by the Vice-Captains. Each of the three will have the opportunity to deliver pre-match and half-time team talks.

The panel of three will ensure that team selection is done fairly and will communicate their plans clearly and effectively with the entire squad.

As it states in the newly expanded Club Ethos (see the post immediately below this one) all members must respect the decisions of the panel of three.  If you disagree with any of their decisions etc, wait until we’re off the pitch and changed after a match, then feel free to discuss your issues with any or all of the panel.  You have nearly an entire week to chat to them face to face, or call them, text them or email them to discuss your issues.  Time’s up one hour before the kick-off of the next match – hold your tongue until we’re off the pitch and changed after the match, and so on and so on and so on!

The club has empowered the panel to immediately substitute any player who they feel is not adhering to the club’s ethos or whose conduct is undermining the team.  The panel will decide when that player be allowed back into the team and/or back on to the pitch.

You will be contacted shortly by Club Secretary Andrew Dade re: nominations and elections for the three positions.

Newly expanded Club Ethos, as agreed at our recent EGM

At last week's EGM there was a lengthy discussion about respect and the conduct of members.  It is a sad fact that the way our former captain Andy Thornes was treated was a factor in his decision to leave the club.  So at the EGM we discussed how to prevent such nonsense from recurring.

It was agreed that a new paragraph be added to our ethos, drafted by myself, pointing out that due respect MUST be given to those members who sacrifice their valuable spare time to run the club, both on and off the pitch.  In my opinion the various coaches/captains of the squad have NEVER been afforded the proper respect, and have had to suffer levels of verbal abuse, bitching and so on that would embarrass a team of 11-year-olds, never mind a squad of fully grown, supposedly intelligent men.  Most of the squad has behaved impeccably but a minority has let us all down.  A line has been drawn in the sand.

So the CLUB ETHOS a little way down on the right-hand side of this blog has now been updated as follows:

CLUB ETHOS

1. The main reason that the Accies was formed was to allow a group of friends to meet regularly, have a game of football, a few beers and a chat in a friendly, non-hostile environment.

2. Winning is important to all of us but not at the expense of fairness and friendship.

3. While everyone is expected to give 100% every game and to be as fit as their own personal circumstances allow them to be, there will be no discrimination against players purely on the basis of talent. All members of the club are equal regardless of footballing ability and are entitled to equal playing opportunities.

4. We respect those who give up their time to manage the club. Decisions made by those people can be questioned if someone disagrees with a decision. But this should be done in person and never between the hours of 7-10pm on Thursdays. And in the end the fact that they give up their time to run the club for us makes their decisions final.

5. All new players who join do so on the understanding that the above rules are sacrosanct.

Point 4 is the new addition.  It is pretty self-explanatory but if you need any help understanding it, feel free to ask me.  Show your respect to the members who run your club for you, who enable you to play football every week on a fantastic pitch. If you disagree with any of their decisions etc, wait until we’re off the pitch and changed after a match, then feel free to discuss your issues with any or all of the panel. You have nearly an entire week to chat to them face to face, or call them, text them or email them to raise your issues. Time’s up one hour before the kick-off of the next match – hold your tongue until we’re off the pitch and changed after the match, and so on and so on and so on!

Let's work together as a team to make sure that our club's ethos, which has always been one of the main things that sets us apart from other teams, is followed to the letter.

I will type up another post soon expanding on the theme of respect and stressing the kinds of behaviour that will no longer be tolerated and, frankly, should never have been.

Any Accie with even an ounce of common sense wants to have fun, enjoy playing football and give everything for the team on the field of play.  If you do anything to prevent others' enjoyment then I'm afraid this isn't the right club for you.

Up the Accies!

Prepare For Glory!

This evening my brother Andrew Dade will become the first player to reach 300 11-a-side appearances for Effra Academicals.

Tonight is only our 385th game so to have featured in 300 of them is a truly magnificent achievement, especially when you consider that Andrew has lived in Hertfordshire and then Cambridgeshire throughout the life of the Accies - so his level of commitment to the club is utterly astounding.

Included in his 300 appearances is another incredible club record: he once played in SIXTY consecutive Effra 11-a-side matches.  That record will NEVER be beaten.

I won't be there this evening to witness this historic occasion, but if you are there, please congratulate Andy in person on reaching this milestone.

I'll get to 300 soonish myself, but there are no prizes for second place!

Well done on your TRIPLE CENTURY Dade Jr!

Who remembers what they did on 27th May 2004?

Me and Steven Whitelock do: playing for the Accies in a 4-2 defeat by Dolphin Riders.  And it was Dolphin Riders, not Woodley Wanderers, who myself and Steve both scored hat-tricks for (Woodley changed their name to Dolphin), in a 7-0 win over Dinamo Bar Pitch on 21 November 2002…

Bobby's Availability

Has intrigued me for a couple of weeks, so I followed the link, and now I can't work out if he's got a part in Cheers, or a groin injury!

The main reason that the Accies was formed was to allow a group of friends to meet regularly, have a game of football, a few beers and a chat in a friendly, non-hostile environment. Winning is important to all of us but NOT at the expense of fairness and friendship.

Absolutely understand and back 100 per cent Thorny's decision to stand down as captain of the Accies.  As you know I recently said that at the end of this calendar year I will in all likelihood be standing down from my own role, so it would be hypocritical to say the least for me to criticise or even disagree with Andy for doing the same.  Anyone with an ounce of good sense will have nothing but praise for Thorny who has been a truly fantastic team captain from start to finish.  Lest we forget, while he was unable to play for a considerable spell, he still came to footy week in, week out to try to help us improve as a team. It's a thankless task and whoever does it next has my sympathies.

My thoughts about the other, far more significant part of Thorny's announcement - him leaving the club completely - are less straightforward.  Not even sure I can put those thoughts into words.  Certainly not going to try right now.

Squad for Feb 14th 2013

Well done those 11 who have got priorities right this Thursday, but Luke, Social Commitment? On Valentine's Day?? Come on!!
A date with Madam Palm and her 5 daughters perhaps?

Sene's a Gooner!

We've known for years that 'Chelsea fan' Luis Sandoval is a not-so-secret Spurs fan.  But not since Sol Campbell swapped north London sides has a scandal this big broken.  The Accies Blog can reveal that Joe Sene is an Arsenal follower!  Why else would he follow young Gunners midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on Twitter?!

Maybe it's because he prefers to watch European football on Tuesday or Wednesday evenings, leaving Thursdays free for Accies action?  Will Luke Fallon follow Joe to the Emirates?  Only time will tell!

Tonight's match cancelled due to frozen pitch

Apologies on behalf of the weather.

Double Delight

The full list of who won what at this year’s annual awards dinner has now been added to the Roll Of Honour somewhere down on the right-hand side of the blog.  This photo was taken by the lovely fella who won both of the night's big prizes: Player Of The Year (as chosen by the team captain and vice-captain) and Players' Player Of The Year (as voted for by anyone who played in and/or saw at least two-thirds of our matches in 2012).  The happy winner sat staring in wonderment at his pair of plaques, but there can be no doubt that he's a worthy winner!

How not to take a free-kick

Watch this all the way to the end.  Remarkable.

Well this is definitely a first

Popped the Sweden vs England game on to check the score.  There's a fella playing for England right now whose big brother played for the Accies 10 years ago.

Small world, ain’t it?

Possibly the least interesting Accies blog post of all time

I don't often have cause - OK, I never have cause - to peruse the stats of visits to the Accies blog.  But when I do, I'm always baffled as to our two most viewed posts since the blog began back in December 2008.

Why would a random match report by Elbows, albeit with video, attract more than 400 page views?  And I know the news that my little brother was finally recovering from a bad injury was great, but 2nd most popular post?  Wow.

I'll go away now.  I predict that this post will not get anywhere near as many page views, and rightly so...!

Reminds me a lot of that goal I scored against Mott McDonald a couple of weeks ago

Ish.