Hi Everyone,
I’m Chris McLoughlin and I’m the new Club Captain of the Football section. I have quite a few points to cover, so apologies in advance … there’s a lot to get through!
As you may or may not know, Connor Rooney has stepped down after two years as Club Captain, and I would like to on behalf of everyone at the club to thank Connor for his time, energy and commitment to the role. Despite stepping down, Connor will continue to be actively involved in the club, mainly drinking at the bar! Also, a big thank you to Eddie O’Brien, Mick Power, Nick Armitage, Michael O'Sullivan, Colin and Mike Garvey, whose efforts throughout the season are very much appreciated; these are the guys that stock the bar, mark the pitches, sort the fixtures, run the finances and everything else in-between, thank you chaps.
Next season we will be fielding 4 XI’s . Your team captains are:
1st team: MATT BENEDICT and REECE DAVIS
2nd team: DEREK MENSAH and SIMON CARSON
3rd team: TOMMY CAWKWELL and RICHARD SMITH
4th team: DOM TAGGART and STAN CHRISTOFOROU
VETS: JOHN LEATHAM and COLIN BROWN
SUCCESSES:
There is plenty to be positive about; firstly I’d like to thank the team captains for their continued support; without them we would not be able to run 4 teams this year. The 1st team narrowly missed out of promotion last season after great guidance from Matt Benedict as gaffer. Promotion is certainly the target for the 1s next season. We welcome Dom Taggart back from university, who is stepping up to the challenge of running the 4s with his trusty wingman Stan. Welcome back Dom and good luck for the season! In addition, for the first time we will be entering a VETS team into the Southern Veterans’ League division 5, and fulfilling a fixture list of 20+ games. This is great news for the club, thanks to Mike Garvey for making it happen.
AREAS FOR DEVELOPMENT:
Last year was a turbulent year for the club with two of the teams relegated and the club suffering punishment from the league due to poor disciplinary issues, poor financial controls and general lack of organisation. This was highlighted as we were ranked 73rd out of 86 league teams for organisation - not something we wish to repeat this season.
The football section also ran at a £3,000 loss, largely due to players and team captains not paying their subs regularly. We have already held our first Captains meeting, and each of the Captains understands what is required next season from themselves and of the players representing the club. Failure of players and Captains to pay their annuals and subs won’t be tolerated. We have to address this next year, with your help and the strong leadership of the captains I’m sure we can.
PRE-SEASON TRAINING:
We will be kick starting pre-season training on SATURDAY 18th JULY, at the County Road, Norbury, 10:45 meet for 11am start. Reece Davis (1st team skipper) and Jason Kearins (1st team Centre Back) will be running the sessions every Saturday until the season starts. We will also organise a couple of friendly games.
FACEBOOK PAGE:
I have set up a Clapham Old Xaverians F.C Facebook page. Please ‘like’ the page as it will be regularly updated with information, match reports and photos from each of the weekend games. Captains will also nominate their 'Man of the Match' and 'Moose of the Match'. I’m aiming to get at least 100+ of you following!
Clapham Old Xaverians F.C. or search Clapham Old Xaverians F.C
MATCH REPORT:
Sons of COXA: 30/05/2015
The Sons of COXA V Old Grants XI match held at the club on 30th May was a great event and highlighted the history and nostalgia associated with the club. ‘Sons of COXA’ won the game 2-1, but the score line didn’t really do us justice. Matty Cefai scored the first, always looking dangerous up top with Colin Brown. Some impressive play from Dom Taggart on the wings always caused his marker trouble. Jack Leatham at the back was solid and continued to frustrate the Old Grants Centre forwards. However, the star of the show was Eliot Leatham. An inspired substitution made by Mike Garvey with 10 minutes to go saw the spritely Elliot enter the fray. After a goalmouth scramble Elliot was there to prod the ball into the back of the net to give sons of COXA the win! An overjoyed and proud Dad in John Leatham bounding up the touchline was great to see. I hear John has not moved that fast since the 1979 cup run! After the game, we all settled into the clubhouse to sink some beers and watch the FA Cup Final. A thoroughly enjoyable day, a win for COXA, and a busy bar.
That’s enough information for one email, I will be in touch again soon… and remember pre-season starts on Saturday July 18th – look forward to seeing as many as possible of you there!
Yours in Football,
Chris McLoughlin (Macca)
COXA Club Captain