Clinching the League Title

Posted by Holdy on April 24, 2008, 10:22 am

Another sublime passing performance from the lads on a pitch that was not the best. If that is Hellenic league standard pitches, then the football must be awful to watch, because it make it very hard to play passing football on surfaces of that standard. Obviously, it was no problem to us old boys though.

Anyway, back to the game. All the ringers that Creedy tried to get did not turn up, apart from Tim Bowley. A final score of 6-0, thanks to the perfect hat-trick (Right foot, Left foot & Header) from myself on my return back from injury, but I don't want to big myself up???? Another 2 from Julio Baressi & finally a goal from Phil Rodney. The relieve on his face when he scored was a picture.
This win guaranteed us the title. One game to go away to Chinnor at Milton on May 7th to hopefully complete the season with a 100% win record. We have an impressive record in the league of won 9 out of 9 and a goal difference of 50+. Well done to all the lads who have been involved this season, and a lot of credit must go to Creedy's man management skills. PLEASE STAY CREEDY. WE ALL LOVE YOU. DON'T LEAVE US.

A big thank you also to Bicester last night for the spread they laid on for after the game????

Team last night: Fleet, Carroll, Lewis, Dark, Jennings, Bowley, Bradbury, Robbie Baressi, Julio Baressi, Rodney, Holden. Subs: Watson, Creed, Clarke.

Stonesfield report by Holdy

Another win, even though it was a less than impressive performance.

Absent were Dave Watson (attending the opening of a new McDonalds in Milton Keynes), Julio Baressi (Boy Scout trip to Wales), Colin Fleet (second part of his Anger Management course), Chris Fontaine (AWOL) Andy Thomas (Pants exhibition) & myself (still injured).

A debut in goal for youngster Randall Bates (They are calling him the new Colin Fleet at City). A back four of Theo Carroll, Mark lewis, Jules Dark & Mark Jennings. Midfield of Tim "Nice but Dim" Bowley, Shaun Bradders, Robbie "Bobby" Baressi & Smyler "Martin" Smy. Front two of Phil McRodney & Mark "Olly" Orlando. Dropped to the bench, Mark "SAT Nav" O'Hara, Creedy & Clarkey.

After going behind to an early goal, We went in at half time 3-1 up, thanks to goals from Tim Bowley, Bradders & Lewie.

Half time team talk was brought to a silence for 5 seconds, until somebody changed the subject, when Creedy announced that he would be stepping down as manager at the end of the season. Rumours are going around that he has been having secret talks with Roman Abromavic???

Rodders got so much stick at half-time for all the chances he missed, I stuck a tenner on him to score in the 2nd half with Marco.

Second half underway, and Randall Bates lived up to his billing as being the next Colin Fleet, by getting lobbed from the half way line.

Bobby Baressi put us 4-2 up with a cross come shot that sailed over the Stonesfield's keeper.
The game ended with McRodders having another dozen chances to win me a Tenner. Cheers Phil.
FINAL SCORE - City 4 Stonesfield 2.

Not the best performance, but it's another win to keep up our 100% record this season. Although it would need us to lose both our last games by a margin of 19 goals, a point next week away to Bicester (NOT BRISTOL, Marco), will secure the league title.

City represented in Ireland

Vets manager Paul Creed took his City shirt to Ireland for a weekend and the locals were only too happy to wear the famous Blue and White Hoops for a moment just to say that they had...

Not all photos are on this page, click on this link to view the rest of the people proud to be associated with the City

Oxfordshire Veterans Cup Winners 2008

In their first season in the Veterans League the City Veterans (over 35's team) have won the League Cup. Played at Chipping Norton against Old Hooky from the Premier League, City clinched a 1-0 win in the last 10 minutes of a highly competitive but scrappy match.

Unable to get into any sort of rythym of passing City were hussled out of the match for long periods by a physical and workmanlike Hooky team who certainly had a game plan.

The winning goal came about from a Julio Barresi header from 8 yards following some good passes and equally well placed cross from the right.

A fine reward for a first season's hard work by the City players and many congratulations must go to the manager Paul Creed for assembling what could well be a League and Cup Double winning team as only two league wins are required from the last four matches to clinch the league title.

Squad on the night:
Fleet, Creed, Dark, Lewis, Watson, Fontaine, Clark, Bradbury, Holden, Barresi, Orlando, Subs Rodney, Bowley, Jennings, Smy

Veterans's Cup Success - some comments on the board

Liam Carroll:
WELL DONE TO ALL THE LADS FOR A FANTASTIC RESULT!
I managed to watch parts of the game from my sick-bed on Sky inter-active & what a header from Julio for the winner.
Great header `fifty-pence-head`!

Also good to see the white suits out for the final;
McRodders & Clanfield-Fonty looking like `the Jackson-2`, Lobber like a Colombian drugs-baron, Tim like Will Young, Creedy like `Dirk Diggler`, Julio like his Dad, Holdy like Duncan Norvelle & Jools like `Tattoo` from Fantasy Island!!! (Thanks for the medal mate).

I hope you all enjoyed the hospitality I laid on for you at The Bear Hotel, my staff confirmed your attendance was their pleasure.

Hope to see you all Wednesday.

Regards,
Big Liam.

Shaun Bradbury:
If only our detailed reporting matched our performance on the night!
You boys have too much time on your hands……………. keep it up!

Rodders humorous Canadian ski stories helped ease any potential pre match nerves but maybe relaxed us too much.

Bogarts seems to have closed for a refit (I don’t get out too much these days) but with a swift turn of pace I still managed to get last orders on a cheese and chilli spud at Monroes.

The after match party at the Kings arms, Woodstock, was a welcome bonus and Sykesy welcoming us in for a few sherberts took us all back to our fondest days in the paradise, although he does shut a little earlier than he did in the old days.

To win a trophy at our age and have a medal thrown in is pretty special, but the banter both before and after games is what makes it all worthwhile.

Many thanks to gaffer Creedy for his sterling work this year in preparing the side for competition.
If you can grow the porno moustache as promised I will try for the 80’s footballer’s mullet for our end of season soiree what ever date is finalised.
I’m still smarting from the news I will miss the Karaoke evening, as my rendition of Robbie’s ‘Angels’ cannot be missed.

We haven’t mentioned the tremendous support all the players have received from the Oxford City ‘family’ so I will take this opportunity to thank Colin, Paul and all the gang on making every game feel like a home fixture.

Mark O'Hara:
Just got in,unfortunatley a sad end to a good night,Fleety's varacous vein burst and he's up the JR,Jules did come back out but got knocked out when he banged his head on someones belt buckle whilst at the bar,and Fonte's zimmer frame got stolen when he was changing his culostomy bag in the toilet.
On the plus side Creedy has agreed to grow his porn moustache for the final at Rushden.

Paul Creeed:
welldone lads not the best,but a wins a win
Thanks for the surport sorry to disappoint.
ocfc have awarded me a mid season break to ireland,to give me time to think over next season and asked weather i could run the under 5's 6's 7's 35's 40's sunday team ( national) and bingo calling on monday's..any way i'm off to see and old friend and city boy BRIAN FLANNERY (mid 80's winger,long hair, no stamina).
He's put me up in his uncle mick's hotel, with there children ,brother mick,sister mick,baby mick,and granma mick and the now deceased grampa mick.they say he's in me bed!! colin taylor has lent me a city shirt, and with camara, will be trying to fly the hoops, and gain more support from over the sea..will try and get on the message board over the weekend,to see how the lads are doing sunday. good luck to all who wear the city hoops this weekend..creedy

Wayne Holder:
Just got in myself after wandering around Woodstock all night trying to find a taxi. Ended up standing on the A44 trying to hitch a ride back to Oxford only to suffer loads of abuse from most cars who were passing. "Who ate all the pies", "F*** off back to the City Big nose", "Barry Manilow" to name just a few. Eventually picked up at 3am by some country bumpkin, fell asleep, and woke up at 7 this morning in a stable in Banbury next to some pig (the animal sort). Finally got a train back to Oxford at 10am. The Mrs was delighted to see me. I told her the game went to extra time, and we won 452-451 on penalties. I showed her my winners medal, and you can guess what she did with that???
Fleety was last seen heading back to Old Hooky to look for the number 11 who shouted after only 10 minutes of the game, "Come on lads he can't kick".
The Milli Vanilli pair or Fonty and McRodders booked themselves into the hotel for the night. The confidence in these young fellows is there to see, as they both booked themselves with a room each and a king size bed.
Bradders ended up back down at Bogarts, but was turned away when he tried to get in with his gold membership card that expired in 1985.
Creedy is currently in the local woodstock police station, after getting arrested for doing his party trick outside Blenheim Palace.
Smyler is still trying to chat up the 65 year old millionaire bloke sat at the bar drinking out of his own half pint mug.
Watsy is still driving round Woodstock trying to find a Mcdonalds.
Marco spent all night selling insurance to all the very rich people in the Kings Arms.
Enough about our exploits last night, let's go on to the game. As Jules has already stated, we didn't perform on the night, but it's the result that counts at the end. An ugly 1-0 win. The only thing that was not ugly on the night was Julio's winner (and Bradders of course). A goal worthy of winning any final. Did you see that winner by Fenerbahce against Chelsea last night? Well it was nothing like that. And to cap off a great night, Bicester lost to Chinnor in the league, meaning we only need 2 wins out of the last 4 to claim the league & Cup double in our first season. Bring on the Premier boys next season.
We are all off now to board the open top bus to parade the cup through the streets of Oxford.
Have a good game down at Wales (Ian Beale) on Sunday, boyo's.
Have a good weekend in Ireland, Creedy. Send my regards to Flanners and Mickey & also to Paddy, Patrick, Mick, Paddy, Patrick, Mick, Mick, Mick & Paddy.

Signing off for another week.

Holdy

Julian Dark:
We were all very disappointed with our performance this evening, we were shocking. Hooky will feel disappointed that their hard work (and they did work bloody hard getting right in our faces) didn't really create a clear cut chance that they could score from.

Julio's goal was scored in the last 10 minutes as they tired and we finally passed the ball three times to a City shirt to set up a decent cross for him to nod home from about 7 yards.

Obviously the result is the important thing as we won the cup, but celebrations were certainly mooted in view of being a bit embarrassed for not having played as well as we have done so far this season. Every pass or through ball just went 'wrong' for the City players tonight.

Anyway, no one will remember the performance after tomorrow so it's not really an issue I guess.

Hopefully if we get promoted at the end of this season, then we'll be able to give Hooky a proper game at our place and show them how well we can actually play.

Cheers, I am getting another beer from the garage, the lads all stopped off at the Kings Arms in Woodstock but I had to get Lewis home for school tomorrow, tempted to drive back out actually.....

Lead Up to the Vets Final

Posted by Holdy on April 2, 2008, 11:34 am

The day has finally arrived, and the week before and lead up to the final againsy Old Hooky at Mount Chippy has been good. It all started last Wednesday where we were given a game at Milton Heights. The game was arranged for a few reasons. (1) To see if the lads could cope playing at such an high altitude (2) To give Andy "Pocket Pants" Thomas a run out, due to an injury to myself, and to see if he is worthy of taking the number 9 shirt if I do not heal in time for the final & (3) to get Julio's confidence up in front of goal (didn't work!!!).

Although the game was good for morale after a comfortable 2-0 win, the downside was that we picked up 2 more injuries with Mark O'Hara & Tim Bowley. Marco is definately out. The good news is that nobody suffered any heart failures or black outs for playing at that sort of altitude.

More bad news followed earlier this week with the news that Liam Carroll has had to withdraw from the squad, due to a bad bout of Man flu which is spreading through Wolvercote. No coincidence that Liverpool are playing the Gooners on the same night???
We all met up at Top Man yesterday morning to get measured up for our suits. Top Man were delighted that they smashed there 1 day record sales for XXL size suits. Do you remember the "Spice Boys" from the 90's, well we look more like the "Fat Boys". Creedy went missing for an hour, but was found scouting about the ladies lingerie section???

Last night we stayed in the Randolph Hotel (thanks to City for funding that???). I had a fitness test in the afternoon with a 10 mile run over Shotover, and passed with flying colours (sorry Thommo). A few of the lads spent the afternoon relaxing with a game of cards, games of snooker, and some swimming. Bradders had a manicure and got his legs waxed. We all then went down for dinner (pasta) at 5PM. We then sat down and watched a video of Old Hooky's game from the week before against Kidlington. Then it was time for Creedy to call all the squad in to his room individually, and let them know the team and what he expected from each of them. Obviously with the return of Phil McRodney and Chris Fontaine from their African Nations tour, somebody would have to be let down. One by one we got called in. Rumours have it that one member of the team got there slightly earlier than expected, and caught Creedy doing his party trick??? Thommo was last in, and was obviously given the news that myself had passed a fitness test, which meant that Thommo would not be included in the 15. Thommo was absolutely distraught, and ended up doing a Gazza, and completely smashed everything in site in Creedy's room. City's captain, Julian Dark, was called in to try and calm Thommo down, but ended up getting stuck in Thommo's pants, and had to be freed by the local fire crew. Thommo was last seen canoeing down the River Thames in a very depressive state, doing a "John Darwin". Don't do anything silly Thommo. Please contact us to tell us you are ok.

We were then told to be tucked up in our beds by 10PM, and anybody who breaks this rule would be severely punished. However rumours are going around that Creedy was seen sneaking out of the Hotel at 10.30, heading for the Old Fire Station. Good job for him he is the manager.

We all woke up fresh as a daisy this morning, even though we were all woken at 3am in the morning with Old Hooky fans outside the hotel, singing & banging drums. Creedy looked a bit rough, though??? I slept like a log, and had a dream about the headlines in the Oxford Mail for Thursday. "Old Hooky 1 Old Holdy 3"?

Don't want to give any of the team news away, but apparantly Tim Bowley has pulled up again in training this morning, and is rated 30/70, or is that 70/30, so put you phone on Thommo, you may still be needed?

I know it's a big ask, Arsenal v Liverpool in the warmth of your front room or a trip to Mount Chippy to watch a load of overweight 40 year old men running around a ploughed pitch that the OFA have chosen. So come on, sky plus the Red men beating the Gooners tonight, put on your thermals, dig them 80's retro moon boots out that you all still own, and get yourself over to Mount Chippy to give us as much support as possible. Apparantly the Meat & Potato pies that they sell at Chippy are the best in the country?
C U all there

Holdy

P.S. Liam - Enjoy your Meat Feast 16" Pizza from Dominoes and bottle of Stella Artois tonight in the warmth of your front room, watching the Gooners vs Liverpool. Get well soon from all the lads.

Lead Up to the Vets Final

Cup Final Preparations

Just a couple of nights to go ,and things are looking good at ocfc home for the elderly.

WAYNE HOLDEN'S been in an oxygen tent for a week, and tells me he's fully fat,i mean fit.
JULIO BARRESI has been taking kung fu lesson's, because we told him they've got a wally look alike.
TIM BOWLEY'S been conned into buying a £30 sock,that apparantly you wear for a week and (hey presto) your fully fit.
CHRIS FONTAINE AND PHIL McRODNEY have returned from there two week holiday in clanfield.
SHAUN BRADBURY has had his all over spray tan ,and teeth whitened for the big night.
MARTIN SMY tell's me he's fully recovered from his head transplant
but on a sad note ,LIAM CARROL has failed on his two week crash diet,and ended up eating the dietision aswell

ps been told to say hello to aussie mick who is a regular reader of this message board and has been down under for the last six months. good day!!
hope to see you there creedy

Milton Utd

Posted by Holdy on March 27, 2008, 1:26 pm, in reply to "Vets win 2-0"

Due to yet another new injury, my report this week comes from a view from the bench.

After scratching for a team the week before, it was good to see an influx of players turn up this week (there must be a cup final coming up in a weeks time???). Watsy was that keen that he arrived at 6PM, and even had time to pop down to Mcdonalds and have his usual pre-match meal of Big Mac, Chips & Coke (Diet, of course). He turned up, absolutely delighted that he got Travalgar Square on his scratch card, leaving him only Fleet Street to get, to win a Scooter. Good to see Fleety again, after his 2 weeks absence.

Phil McRodney & Chris Fontaine are still AWOL after still not returning back from African Nations duty. It was nice of the league to give us a league fixture up on Milton Heights, playing at a high altitude, in preparation for next week's final at Chippy. Believe me some of these lads are concerned for their health and have had Mark O'Hara help them to upgrade their insurance's, just in case. St John's Ambulance have also been booked.

Creedy named the side; Fleety in goal, a back four of Creedy (Manager's favourite), Mark Lewis, Jules Dark & Watsy. Midfield four of Tim Bowley, Bradders, Marco & Olly. Up front, Julio & Andy Thomas (the big fella from Marston, not the slim, quality player that used to play and manage City). 4 subs of Clarkey (or some of you might know him as Tomkins), Mark Jennings, Smyler & a very disappointed Liam Carroll after his MOM performance last week against OCC.

Creedy told all the lads of his disapointment of last week's performance, and expected a much better performance.

The 1st half was really all about Julio, and how many more chances does he want??? Tim told me he counted 6 good chances (I'm sure Tim won't mention it to you, Jules?). It was also noticeable that Jules and Thommo were going to be in for a little bit of rough treatment for the next 80 minutes after some quite crude challenges coming in the back of them, with the ref not giving them much protection. Just like playing Kidlington again.

Two early injuries to Tim and Marco didn't help City's cause, but on came Clarkey and a bronzed Smyler, to which one of the Milton supporters shouted out "Is that one of the Chuckle Brothers"? And right on cue Smyler in true "From me to you to me to you" did a one-two with Thommo, and blasted it over the bar. I was that close to taking him straight off to save his embarrasment.

City went in at half time 1-0 up thanks to a Shaun Bradbury pile blaster from 3 yards, after the keeper couldn't hold Clarkey's free-kick. It was nice to see Shaun score , as we were all worried for him earlier in the game, after Fleety nearly took his head off from a corner. The Anger Management course must have worked, as Shaun would probably still be out for the count now.

The second half was much the same. City had most of the pocession but could not really make it count. The second and decisive goal came midway through the 2nd half, and like a true great goal scorer, it came from Julio Baressi, who did not let the other half dozen chances he missed in the first half affect him, slot home from 1 yard, after the keeper felt a little bit sorry for him, and just dropped the ball at his feet, and then said there you go son, get your confidence up. Apparantly there goalkeeper was Italian?

Did anybody else see that Duck fly over and empty his bowels from the heavens? How he managed to miss every one, I don't know.

I would just like to mention Tim Bowley, who didn't put a foot wrong in the 2 minutes that he lasted on the pitch. I would also like to thank Thommo for filling in for me up front, even though Julio told me he really missed me for my workrate.

My man of the match award has to go to Creedy. I thought his distribution and his workrate was second to none (am I in the starting line up next week, boss?).

All looking forward to the final next week at Chippy (who at the OFA chose this as a venue???) against Old Hooky.