WITTON V TELFORD - THE MATCH!

First Team On the Park
21

I’m not sure anyone’s (I’m certainly not) saying that the Witton player didn’t deserve to get sent off (either yesterday or in the Tuesday match). What the complaint is about is Foster’s provocative nature, and the way he deliberately niggles people in the direct hope that they will retaliate against him and get booked or sent off. Not sure about yourself, but in my book that’s not the way to play football. As I said, he seems to be a particularly unpleasant person.

The match commentators yesterday were a bit bemused by the sending off, saying they could see a bad foul by Foster but not much else. I’m prepared to believe that you were closer and there was a retaliation. In which case, it was stupid. But that does not absolve Foster of any blame whatsoever from being the kind of person he is.

22

Well i’m happy to say i tackled the cheating little sh1t about it after the game when he was about to leave.

I asked him how on earth he managed to get back from A+E so quickly and commented on how fantastic modern medicine is that he didn’t have a mark on him. He then tried to sneak away with his tale between his legs when i offered to put a few marks on him.

Seems he’s not such a billy big balls when confronted face to face by someone bigger than him.

Coward.

23

Greenie your propensity for violence does you or your club no good at all!

Taking your frustration out on Foster does not alter the fact that the Albion were out-performed yesterday.

If you want to blame someone blame Moseley, for stupidly kicking out at Dean Craven last year at the NBH, an 11 man Witton side would have certainly given a better game.

24

Have had time to digest the game yesterday after the dissapointment, was very gutted last night! Anyway I would like say well done to the lads for a fantastic season and they should be proud of what they have achieved but at the end of the day we weren’t quite good enough to do it. Telford deserved it on yesterday’s performance and good luck to them next year, am sure the conference isn’t to far away for you!
For us I think there is a lot of positives to take from the season and so much to build on for next year I think really we are just 3 players short of a title winning side.
Firstly we need a good solid defensive right back to go alongside Pritch, Barras and Brownhill. We also need an experienced, tough tackling midfield player who can boss the middle like VAL OWEN at Altrincham for example and finally a big strong forward who leads the line well.
In summary what I would say the team requires is more strength to dig in and battle when we need to as we have the classy footballers like Lloyd, Griff, Peers, Warlow etc we just need that bit of grit and steele to accompany it.
On another note I would like to say how well Nigel Deeley has done in the short time he has been with us this season but I think we perhaps lost something when Benny left in terms of an experienced old head who knew his way around non-league footy I think we should perhaps look to address the assitant managers role in the close season and maybe bring in someone with similar experience to Benny as Nigel and Jim are to similar in temprement.

Lets keep the faith lads and there is a lot to look forward to next season, anyone know when the first pre-season game is?

25

Now that I’ve slept on yesterday’s disappointment …

Firstly, congratulations to Telford, and thanks to their fans who have been on here with commiserations, and some sensible comments. It pains me to say it, but you deserved your win yesterday, and I’m sure you’ll do well in the Conference North.

Secondly, well done to Witton as well. After the worst possible start, we gradually clawed our way back into the game. From the other end of the pitch, I couldn’t say whether the two "goals" should have been disallowed, but in any event we fully deserved our equaliser. There was a period when we had all the momentum going for us, but just as we were building up for a climactic ending, that second Telford goal happened, and it was a killer - it had "matchwinner" written all over it, and everyone on the ground seemed to sense it. After that, the sending off didn’t really matter (except that once again it added a sour taste to what was otherwise a pretty sporting game) - didn’t have a good view, it looked like Kearney deserved a straight red - but did Foster warrant something as well??

Thirdly, Brian Pritchard was a collossus!!! The man was an absolute hero from start to finish, and fully justified his Player of the Year award. He’s been playing for Witton since about 1887, and this is probably his best ever season. Great stuff, Pritch!!

I was a bit disappointed with the attendance - the estimate was that Telford were bringing about 1750, so there were only about 500 Wittoners, pretty poor from the locals, considering what was at stake. I’ve seen some scepticism on Telford’s forum about the gate, suggesting some creative accountancy by Witton. However, it looked fair to me - it might have seemed packed if you were stood behind the goal at the Telford end, but there was lots of space around the ground as a whole, and it wasn’t even crowded at our end. I think our record is around 3800 (v Bolton in FA Cup, and Kidderminster in Trophy SF), and yesterday was nowhere near as full as those games. We’d actually guessed at around 2300-2400 during the first half, so Telford (and the League) shouldn’t feel cheated!

Sorry that we’ve not managed promotion, but we’ve seen some great football this season, the best since the early 90s, For me, the FA Cup game against Vauxhall was when we started to get going, good result and a great atmosphere! I missed the Stamford game, but the Trophy run was fun. Then we put together that great run in the league, scoring goals right left and centre, playing marvellous stuff. Well done to everyone on and off the pitch for some great memories.

We can speculate on where the lost the league; certainly the games against Leek and Grantham didn’t help, plus quite a few other dropped points against teams from near the bottom - I felt we lost our way in the game at Ashton, and never quite got back into the same groove. We saw off the title challenge of Hednesford, Matlock and Marine, but ultimately, we have to admit that we didn’t get it done against the two teams that have ultimately bested us. Results of the games in the "mini league" between us, Burscough and Telford were:

Burscough W2 D2 L0 F3 A1 Pts8
Telford W2 D1 L1 F5 A3 Pts 7
Witton W0 D1 L3 F1 A5 Pts 1

I’m afarid we can’t really argue with that, but we can learn a lesson. I hope that next season we can keep playing the quality football that we’ve enjoyed this year, but just add the killer instinct, to be able to finish teams off. Without being arrogant, we need to believe that we can be the best, that we can beat anyone, and that we will be League Champions this time next year!

Keep up the good work, Witton, and thanks once again for a great season!

26

I take it from the lack of responses on here people like myself are struggling to put it all in words?
Where can you start and how do you sum up such a fantastic season which ended in nothing?

For me and my 12 years since late 1994 this is comfortably the best side I’ve seen and best season - its had everything, and as usual past trends suggest its rare to have the cup runs and a title challenge. We have managed both and for that the players and management must be congratulated, the extra revenue from prize moneya nd gate receipts which come with this are a massive plus of the season (sorry I’m an accountant).

Where it all went wrong I don’t know - its easy to if and but however I disagree that we are 3 players short - we were 1 goal short and had we had a fully fit squad (anyone can say this I know) we’d have done better, we had the players but avilablility is crucial - look at Saturday.

What is upsetting me most is that a team finishes 1 goal above you, its margial - its the rules which is fine but its hard to argue they are a better team (or should I reconsider including the point they were deducted?) As for Telford they were 2 points behind us. They may have beaten us twice (no comment on the circumstances) but we beat Hyde twice a couple of years ago when they won it - didnt make us better than them did it? Likewise Flixton in 2000. A league is over 42 games not a double header. So with that in mind I consider us tragically unlucky to have scored 90 goals and loose out by 1 goal and to not get promoted in favour of a team 2 points worse off than us. What can you say?

Its easy for people to come on here and say we’ll just have to win the league next year but is it that simple? Frickley and North Ferriby had a good go this year didn’t they? We came very close and were only about 25 points short in 2001? Thats not trying to be negative but if you stand still you go backwards - can we afford/are we abke to attract enough players to this level who will IMPROVE the current team. (I have eveery faith in Jim/Nige but that is my main concern at the moment)

I just hope the momentum is kept as we’ve raised a lot of awareness about our club this season witht he play offs/cup runs etc it’d be a shame to see it wasted.

Keep the Faith

27

Regarding Ian Kearney’s sending off I’ve arranged to view the video & if Ian’s alleged action warrants a sending off we’ll accept. If there is sufficient evidence to the contrary - we’ll appeal.

GE

28

Very sensible stuff from LordSidney. Interesting point from Nick also about Vince and Deeley being of similar temperament. I’ve noticed Witton are a very quiet side, both on the field and on the bench. Not saying that is necessarily a bad thing, and, generally, players who spend all their time fist pumping and shouting at other players are a big turn off for me, but there are occasions where you definitely need someone to do that, to pump some enthusiasm into the rest of the team. I felt we lacked something in that department, and it’s related to us not having enough of a killer instinct, as LordSidney says.

As for Neil’s point about the playoffs, well… playoffs can never be justified. You play god knows how many games in a season, and get more points than another team. And then the rules say that’s not good enough for you to finish in that position - you have to play that other team below you, just to give them one more chance, in a one-off match. Playoffs are purely a marketing, hyping and money-making scheme made to fit the modern world - there is no fairness whatsoever about them. Consider the Rugby Union Guinness Premier League playoffs where the team that ends up at the top also has to go into the playoffs! Any scheme where a team can get miles ahead of everyone else during the season, then have a single bad day in a play-off match, and end up not winning the league, or not going up, is pure madness. But playoffs have pushed their way into many sports now, and there hasn’t been the collective will to forcibly point out what an immoral shambles they are, and get rid of them. There are too many pound notes floating in front of organisers’ eyes to do away with them. And what do the organisers care who wins…?

Good point also about next season. In these situations, everyone, being sympathetic, says, "Oh you deserved it this year, so I’m sure you’ll do it next year". Not so. Many things can happen before the start of next season, especially at this level of football. No two years are alike. Hate to say it, but we could be stuck in this league for a few more years yet. That’s why, when the chance to get out of it is presented to you, you have to grab it with both hands and not let go. I was looking forward to a Christmas derby against Alty next year.

29

I think you’re right, Neil, about the lack of reponses.
There are some good points being raised,particularly the grit aspect.The two promoted teams have a physical edge to their games which is unattractive yet ultimately successful, however galling that is to us.
What’s done is done,playoffs being unjust,one more goal needed,Foster being an animal,injuries etc.
We can learn and come back stronger.I hope the squad stays together.
I’d like to thank Jim and the lads.The time and effort throughout a season is immense.Also the club and all it’s helpers.
And also the fans who help make the atmosphere, the group of creative songsters have added an extra dimension this year.
We’ve had more highs than lows but for now I’m toatally gutted.
Roll on next season, have a good summer everyone and UP THE ALBION!!!

30

I think you misunderstand. If I had wanted to be violent towards Foster then I would have been. I confronted him to make him seem like a silly little boy and that’s exactly what the result was.

In terms of people having a penchant for violence, look no further than the fans of AFC Telford United!!! Think about the scenes after the Burscough game, or the idiots throwing missiles at our substitutes. I’m sure most clubs in this league have at least one tale about the Telford fans being thugs and trying to intimidate people. Good riddance.

The fact is, Foster behaves like he does because he thinks he’s better than he is, he’s Mr big time in his own mind. Just like the Telford fans. One of these days both Foster and the Telford idiots will pick on the wrong people. Then both will be put in their place. Can’t happen soon enough.

31

On the subject of whether playoffs are fair or not - if you finish 2nd but don’t go up, it feels unfair, I know.

But consider this. Suppose it was the top 2 teams that were promoted automatically. Aound Christmas time, Telford and Hednesford were miles ahead, over the horizon, pretty much nailed on that Telford would win, with Hednesford 2nd, just a remote chance it might be the other way round. Can’t remember exactly, but we were way back, and a place in the top two seemed pretty unlikely.

However, a place in the top five, and hence in the playoffs, was a very realistic objective and that was enough to fuel our charge up the league. Would that have happened if we’d thought that 3rd would have been useless? Maybe … but maybe not. And it’s the same for quite a few other teams, whose chance of a playoff spot has given them something to aim for. The existence of playoffs has meant that lots more teams are playing significant matches right up to the last Saturday. Think back to all those meaningless end-of-season affairs that we, and football fans generally, used to endure once promotion and relegation were no longer possible.

So, we have the playoff system to thank for an exciting season. We may have been the unlucky ones this time, but it doesn’t mean that the system is wrong - it’s just the nature of competitive sport that there are going to be winners and losers, just remember:

[i]If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same …

… You’ll be a man, my son![/i]

32

It’s true that you have the top 5 to aim for rather than the top 2, and still think you have a chance of going up. However…

… that does not make it fair. By thinking that if you make the top 5 you still have a chance of going up, all you’re doing is thinking that the unfairness of it might still work in your favour.

In a world without playoffs, Witton would (should) still have wondered whether Telford or Hednesford were going to blow it (as Hednesford did and Telford very nearly did), so still should have had something to aim for. You just have to plough on in hope.

Suppose that Telford and Hednesford had carried on as they were and both were miles out of sight come the end of the season. Then Hednesford had an off day (couple of players injured, or just didn’t perform on the day - it happens) and were beaten in the last minute by Marine or Matlock (or even Witton) in a playoff semi or final. In my book that would be a massive injustice against Hednesford. I don’t see any other way of looking at it. You might say it’s exciting for the fans. I don’t think it would be very exciting for Hednesford’s fans.

33

Greenie, may i suggest if you do not wish to be misunderstood do not use words such as "…when i offered to put a few marks on him." Which is a menacing threat if ever there was one and one you should be ashamed to post.

You are obviously still hugely frustrated at the result from Saturday, which I can understand. I have a great deal of respect for Witton Albion, but cannot agree with your attitude. Some idiot throws a bottle pop onto the pitch, however, a Witton Albion substitute who had been goading the Telford fans at half-time throws the bottle very hard into the crowd where it struck a young boy in the face. Two wrongs do not make a right and I doubt that young lad even saw who throw the bottle in the first place…Very shameful.

A report has been prepared by the Telford stewards and will be passed onto the clubs concerned.

Apart from you Greenie, who really needs to get that chip off your shoulder, I wish the Albion fans all the best,. You have taken defeat, in the most part exceedingly gracefully, and I hope you emerge triumphant this time next year as UBL Champions.

34

I heard an excellent idea for revamping the play-offs on talkSport this morning.
Had it been adopted to our league, it would have seen Matlock playing Marine at College Road, because Marine finished higher than Matlock, over one leg. The winners would then play Telford at the New Bucks Head, same reason, again, one game. The winners of that game would then of played Witton Albion at Wincham Park in the final. These games could be played over the course of a week or so. The obvious advantage being to Witton who would have home advantage and a good week to recover from niggling injuries etc. (Mark Peers and Alex Brown may have been fit to play!).
The disadvantage to 5th and 4th placed Matlock and Marine is they would have had to fight there way through 3 games with possible extra-time and penalties in order to win promotion.
In the end, it may not of made any difference to the conclusion of our season, but it seemed to me a much fairer way of carrying out the play-offs.

35

Is that not a similar system to that used in Rugby league Tony? But it would at least as you say give a better advantage to the higher placed team.

I personally have no issue with the play offs- it has kept several seasons alive even when we’d not managed to get top 5. My point this year is to anyone who would whinge and say we weren’t good enough - I think our 42 game league position, goals scored etc prove we were as good as anyone. So what if Telford beat us twice (or 3 times) - it doesn’t in my eyes make them a better team than us - see any season re Everton beating Liverpool and City beating Utd etc.

Food for thought however that we have probably made more money from the 2 home play off games than the extra prize money we’d have got for winning it! But before anyone starts a conspiracy theory I don’t believe we are that accurate in hitting the woodwork!

When does the season start again - I feel like we need to get this out of our system.

36

Tony’s example is very like the system used in Super League yeah and would give more advantage for finishing 2nd. I personally think play offs are a great way to end the season. We have missed out, as so often happens to the team who only just miss out on automatic promotion. However, for a club at our level who were way off the automatic promotion places at the turn of the year, then without the play offs to aim for would the board of kept the same playing budget?? or would it have been cut as it didn’t look like 2nd place was obtainable??

In regards to Greenie, he does tend to be a little ‘overly aggressive’, but he’s a loveable rogue really. The big dumb bear… :-*
So please don’t take any offense, coz he’s just a bit simple ::slight_smile:

37

Shame you can’t spell "a bit simple" Robbo. ;D what does that say about you :wink:

Let me guess Owd_Jockey, the report by the TELFORD stewards will go something like;

"The Telford fans were minding their own business at half time, not giving any abuse whatsoever to the Witton substitutes who were very scary, and a bottle was thrown at one of the Witton players, presumably from the very menacing big boys right down at the Witton end who are just nasty and use naughty words. With no warning, one of the Witton players filled the bottle with concrete and then threw the same bottle at the Telford end ever so hard, for no reason at all, and it hit one of our fans with such force that he landed in Winsford. Awwwww he’s naughty, I’m telling!!!"

Rose tinted specs Owd_Jockey???

"Apart from you Greenie, who really needs to get that chip off your shoulder, I wish the Albion fans all the best"

How old are you?!

38

Bye Bye Braincell

39

Sorry guys a wonderful season doesn’t deserve final posts like these. We lost, gutting though that is we have to take it on teh chin and pick ourselves up over the summer. No IFs BUTs or MAYBEs are going to make any difference now.

I would prefer to say - Well done to all the staff and players at Witton, I really am proud of you. A far more fitting tribute me thinks!!

40

Correct, hopefully this idiot will have crawled back under his rock now.

It finally dawned on me yesterday that it was just ONE BLOODY GOAL!!!

And I looked back the past few weeks, not in terms of points dropped but more silly goals conceded and pens missed.

  • A goal conceded from nowhere at Kendal
  • We switched off and conceded 2 goals against Whitby.
  • Penalty missed against Ilkeston.

These were 3 that sprung to mind in seconds.

We need to make sure we are killing teams off more effectively next season. If there is a lesson to be learned then that is it.