Five-a-side competition 2006 posted 11/5/2006
The formal training season wound up last Tuesday (9/5/06) in traditional style with the Association's annual five-a-side football competition. For the second year, the teams were competing for the new (super-size me) John Dearie trophy. There were a few notable playing absentees this year, Arthur - always good for a couple of classy goals now and again - Aitken due to illness and others due to injury and business commitments, but but this did not detract in any way from the normally high level of skills on display - a broad spectrum comprising a fairly balanced mixture of young football athletes through to our more mature members whose flagging footwork skills are more than made up for by their "still active" footballing brains, arms and hands (Les Norris's mature but silky skills somewhere in between).
The event was "strongly", and I use the word "loosely", refereed by Derek Nicholls, keen to impress the Association hierarchy prior to his forthcoming appointment as fourth official on the Scottish Junior Cup Final.
Following the football, we all retired (and maybe its time some of our older footballers considered hanging up their boots although the beauty of this tournament is that it does not discriminate against age or ability) to the Dalziel Park Country Club for an enjoyable small finger buffet and refreshments followed by the presentation of prizes and a few words from John.
Left: Stevie "Jose Mourinho" Nicholls conveys instructions on a point of law to brother Derek.
Right: Derek contemplates Stevie's instruction and how he plans to respond (the sharp-eyed amongst you will notice the ball in the net - Derek is still obviously in full control of the match - he is clearly one of that
rare breed who has eyes in the back of his head).
Food for thought - would you put your fingers near this cage?
Left: Derek Milton - a rare picture of Derek not on the move -
"the silver panther" stealthily stalks his prey - poised and ready to strike (for goal that is).
John - get on the phone to "Oz" to let your friends/family know you are on the world-wide-web (Ah - the wonders of modern technology).
Left: John takes time out while Brian (Winter) is at the bar to pose with the new trophy bearing his name.
Right: John, trying his hardest not to laugh at one of his own jokes, during his short presentation speech.