Home of The Beautiful Game....Back to Culture
Home of The
Beautiful Game....Back
to Culture
The FC Planners 1996/7 Season
Squad Results Review History
Gaffer
The awesome 1996/7 squad!
Top L-R: Rich, Paul, Stan, Andy Durham, Steve, Martin, Jim's up, Alastair. Bottom L-R; Kieran, ME, Ally, Gaffer, John, Ryan, Phil
FC Planners Squad
JOHN - Goalkeeper: 1st Year discovery, brave, agile, penalty saver extraordinaire and into long hair and metal (music). Latent Schmeichal-like temper.Has worrying tendency to try and knock himself out against the post. Everton fan.
1996/7 Apps: 18 Goals: 0 Clean Sheets: 5 Penalty Saves: 1
RICH - Right back: Bradford fan, native of Otley! Cult hero of the side, as well as being solid, likeable and possessing a good Yorky accent. Always takes man or ball one or the other, usually the man. Antics at Christmas party not to be forgotten.
1996/7 Apps: 10 Goals:0
ANDY T.#1 - The Gaffer and (calls himself a)Wing-back:Liverpool fan who occasionally storms forward, solid in the tackle. As manager takes his cue from Bill Shankly (same haircut at least!). Has recently graduated to fully fledged thermal managerial jacket status.This season he actually got the ball in the opponents net as well as his customary well taken o.g.
1996/7 Apps: 16 Goals: 1 Bookings: 1 Own Goals:1
ANDY DURHAM -Defender/Libero: Dedicated Charlton fan and fab cultured defender with canny knack of being able to breeze through games.Brings it out of the back four with international class composure. Destined not to score despite scoring Goal of the Season in 1994/5.
1996/7 Apps: 18 Goals: 0 Penalties skied over bar: 1
JIM - Towering defender and kit man: Leicester City fan (honest!), hear the words, "Jims Up!"and you're OK, takes everything in the air, and absolutely deadly from corners. Five-a-side cuts him down to size though. Now wears a pair of baggy shorts he got from Stanley Matthews.
1996/7 Apps: 19 Goals: 9
KIERAN - Winger: Arsenal fan sadly, previously had appalling scoring record but this season has found that goalscoring touch. The classic dribbler particularly with a full pint. Obviously one of those flair players seen as a luxury as often mysteriously omitted by the manager.
1996/7 Apps:16 Goals: 4
ANDY T. #2- Midfield: I am a Liverpool fan, some have said with the appearance of the flair player though more would say sadly lacking in the finer points of flair.Silky skills rarely seen in evidence down the left wing. Atrocious goal scoring record.
1996/7 Apps: 16 Goals: 1
ALASTAIR - Centre Midfield: Powerful midfield star with playboy image, the driving force of central midfield both verbally and physically. Recently back in action after horrific career threatening hair injury. Second great Planner from.... Otley (another Bradford City fan). His unbelievable strike against the Academy will go down in Planners history as one of the greatest ever Planners goals.Some of his tackles are so late we've all gone in and got changed before he's completed them.
1996/7 Apps: 16 Goals: 8 Hat-tricks: 1
STAN - Centre Midfield: Solid and enthusiastic Burnley fan with a cool flatcap Lancashire accent. Packs a powerful shot and has speciality 70s style sideburns, recently added genuine 1930's depression style haircut. Always runs like he's knackered (maybe he is).
1996/7 Apps: 14 Goals: 1
MARTIN - Midfield: Our roving Irishman and yet another Liverpool fan, plays anywhere, tackles more than hard (and often high) enough to make up for any lack of positional sense.Has a growing reputation and has added a rasping right foot shot to his talents this year.
1996/7 Apps: 14 Goals: 2
ALLY - Midfield: The blonde bombshell, give him a pair of pom-poms and he could be our cheerleader! Slight yet talented, has an array of graceful skills combined with a swift turn of pace. Scored super debut goal that clinched memorable victory over Chem. Eng. Deserves respect for being a Gillingham fan.
1996/7 Apps: 16 Goals: 3
PHIL - Midfield: Another Liverpool fan, combines pace with strength either down the wing or down the middle, a real prospect getting better with every game and should be putting the ball in the onion bag regularly, but sadly more often than not misses the target.
1996/7 Apps: 15 Goals:1
PAUL - Centre Midfield/Striker/Emergency Goalie: The Big Man (or should that be the BMX man?), Boro fan, good anywhere, the man to turn to in a crisis. Bellows powerful encouragement to the rest of the lads. Has the perfect head for the flick-on if not the goalbound header.
1996/7 Apps: 12 Goals: 1
STEVE - Striker: Leading scorer. The Steve Claridge of the Planners. Scouser (burdened with the duty of supporting Everton) with great temper, puts himself about, occasionally gets involved with opposition players. Tackles back and leads the line. His goal scoring record speaks for itself, usually comes up with the vital goal at the vital moment. Needs a new alarm clock! Never complains (ahem).
1996/7 Apps: 18 Goals:22 Hat-tricks: 2
RYAN - Striker: Sooper dooper skillful star, weaves mazy dribbling patterns and can score from all angles. Has a delightful first touch and a joy to watch. The man to strike fear into the opposition. Prefers the sun drenched beaches of Venezuela when on international duty to the puddled streets of Manchester.
1996/7 Apps: 17 Goals: 19 Hat-tricks: 1
These great players have also played their part....
RICH - Right back:Emergency right back from the Gaffers house 1996/7 Apps: 1 Goals:0
ALASTAIR - Defender: Maverick defender with very long throw. Sadly out for season with broken leg 1996/7 Apps:1 Goals: 0
VASSILIOS - Greek midfielder 1996/7 Apps: 1 Goals: 0
FRANK - Impressive Norwegian currently trialling with Planners as available on a free because of Bosman.1996/7 Apps: 2 Goals:2
PHELAN - Stocky Irish lad has his own boots but no kit. 1996/7 Apps:1 Goals: 1
PROMOTION!
Final League Position 2nd: PL 16 W 13 D 2 L 1 F 61 A 15 Pts 41
Pre-Season: Drew 2-2 Whitworth Park
Oct 9: WON 12-0 Slems II
Oct 16: WON 3-1 Chem. Eng.
Oct 20: WON 8-1 Dalton Ellis II
Oct 23: WON 7-1 Biology
Oct 26 Cup Prelim: WON 6-4 aet (90 mins: 4-4) Dalton Ellis II
Oct 30: WON 3-1 Grosvenor II
Nov 6 Cup Round 1: WON 7-2 Geology
Nov 9 (Sat): Drew 2-2 Medics II
Nov 13: WON 2-1 Glasgow Sceptics
Nov 30 (Sat) Cup Round 2: WON 4-0 Engineers
Dec 11: WON 3-0 Academy
Feb 5: WON 2-1 Engineers
Feb 8 (Sat): WON 2-0 Woolton
Feb 12: WON 3-1 Red Star Withington
Feb 15 (Sat) Cup Quarter Final: Lost 1-4 Oak House I
Feb 19: Drew 2-2 Geology
Feb 22 (Sat): WON 7-1 Maths
Mar 1 (Sat): Lost 1-3 Ladybarn
Mar 8 (Sat): WON 1-0 Accounts
Mar 12: Walk-over (3-0) Hardy Farm
Pre-Season: FC Planners pre-season featured just one friendly against 1st division high fliers, Whitworth Park. In energy sapping South Manchester heat, a 12 man Planners side looked comfortable and came away with a creditable 2-2 draw. The game was slightly marred by an ugly scene on the touchline between Scouser Steve and a Whity Park defender, tempers were soon soothed however by the intervention of Alastair. CentralMidfield star Paul picked up a worrying ankle knock and misses the start of the new season. The friendly was followed by intensive training at Platt fields over the weekend, a large Planners squad assembled despite the poor weather.
Game 1 vs Slems II: Awesome is the only word to describe this comprehensive victory, 5-0 up by half-time the Planner kept their foot on the pedal to storm to a record win. 8 players got their names on the scoresheet with Steve grabbing a hat-trick, Martin and the gaffer, Andy T. scored their debut Planners goals. Interestingly, of those to miss out, it included both Bradford fans in Alastair and Rich. Top of the table (on goal difference).
Game 2 vs Chem. Eng.: What should have been a comfortable victory turned into an acrimonious encounter. The Planners dominated the first half, hitting the woodwork 3 times but still taking a 2-1 lead into the second period. After making two half-time substitutes to test the strength of the Planners squad, five minutes into the second period maverick defender Alastair was injured with a fractured shin-bone. After a lengthy delay Chem. Eng. refused to allow a third substitute forcing the Planners to play on with 10 men. Nevertheless, the lads stormed on, and completed the victory over the unsporting opponents to maintain their 100%start to the season.
Game 3 vs Dalton Ellis II: Despite an injury depleted squad on the day, the Planners ran out comfortable winners after having been tested for the first 30 minutes. Dalton equalised Planners early lead, and it was only after a stunning 5 goal in 10 minute spree at the end of the first half that the Planners could relax. A half-time lead of 6-1 was more than enough, and the two second half strikes were the icing on the cake.
Game 4vs Biology: Another strong performance from the Planners, who while not dominating still did more than enough to win at a canter. Superstar Ryan after missing a host of chances finally got his name on the scoresheet via the penalty spot. The keeper John pulled off a stunning double penalty save in the first half when it mattered.
Cup Preliminary Round vs Dalton Ellis II: Although supposed to be against Dalton Ellis seconds only 1 player from the previous weeks encounter reappeared to face the Planners, clearly this was the 1st team. The Planners had the better of things but it was the old story of failing to put away the chances, after leading twice the lads went into the break at 2-2. It all came right in the second half and the Planners stormed away to lead 4-2, sadly, Dalton managed to fortunate wind assisted efforts in the dyring minutes to take the game to extra-time. The Planners found that extra-gear, as Dalton never threatened and two goals in the second period ensured the passage into the next round.
Game 5 vs Grovesnor II: The toughest encounter for The Mighty Planners so far this term. Some doubts were raised about whether this really was the second string outfit of Grosvenor, but the lads got on with the job. After taking the lead through a coolly taken goal from Ryan the Planners were pulled level via the boot of the manager, getting his customary own goal. Even amid the tension there were a few chuckles. The score even at the turn-round, the second half was similarly evenly balanced, both sides wasting chances, then a corner swung in, the cry of "Jim's Up" and the ball powered into the net as the Planners took the lead. A third soon followed (another o.g.) and the game was sewn up. As Andy Durham said after this one, "the honeymoon's over."
CupRound 1 vs Geology: On paper a tricky tie against another of the division sides with a 100% record, as well as a stylish blue and white kit. They were however no match for the mighty Planners, who coped the better in a fierce wind coasting to a 7-2 victory. The game was notable for Scouser Steve who bagged 4 goals to create a Planners individual scoring record for himself.
Game 6 vs Medics II: FCPlanners 100% record came to an end in disappointing circumstances.Despite flying high in the table, only 10 players were available to manager Thompson for the Saturday morning game. The 10 man Planners side fought bravely against a Medics II side bolstered with some 1st team players. The match was played in torrential rain for almost the whole niney minutes, and Mighty Planners led 2-1 at half-time. However, the extra man in these most difficult of conditions eventually told, and the Medics snatched an equaliser in the dieing moments. Nevertheless, the Planners can be proud of maintaining their unbeaten run even though this was two points dropped unnecessarily.
Game 7 vs Glasgow Sceptics: Another poor performance from the Planners, but one in which a result was ground out, albeit fortunately. The Planners came back from a goal down to equalise before half-time and then took the lead with the aid of a deflection in the second period. They rode their luck, but Championship challenging teams often have to, none more so when the Sceptics awarded a late penalty, fortunately managed to re-enact the ChrisWaddle penalty of Italia '90 when the taker skied the ball into orbit. Three points are three points.
Cup Round 2 vs Engineers: The Mighty Planners confidently moved into the quarter finals of the cup with a professional 4-0 victory over Engineers. Two goals in each half ensured the win. Ryan started the ball rolling with a penalty taken with his usual aplomb after Steve had been clearly tripped in the box, Steve himself added the second and third either side of the interval, before Ryan completed the scoring with a tap-in from a corner late in the game.
Game 8 vs. Academy: The Planners completed a fantastic pre-Christmas campaign with a solid 3-0 win over Academy. With Ryan away on international duty it was up to the rest of the squad to show that this is no 1 man team - they didn't disappoint. A battling first half display had the Planners well on top but unable to create that elusive clear cut chance. However, early in the second period with the Academy beginning to get into the game, the ball fell to Steve on the edge of the box, a piece of clinical finishing from the irrepresible scouser gave the Planners the lead. Two minutes later the game was all over. Alastair striking an unstoppable 25 yarder past the bewildered keeper for the Goal of the Season up to this point. As the sky darkened Steve produced an even better goal than his first, swivelling on a sixpence and stroking the ball home. So the Planners head for the mid-winter break, still unbeaten, in the quarter finals of the cup and still topping the table.
Game 9 vs. Engineers: Perhaps the Planners expected an easy time of it after giving the Engineers a 4-0 drubbing in the cup, but this proved to be a hard fought victory. After dominating the first period the Planner only took a single goal lead into the second half. With just fifteen minutes remaining the Engineers scored a deserved equaliser, but just when even a shock defeat looked a possibility Steve saved the blushes perfectly getting in between keeper and defender to get his head to a Stan cross and loop the ball into the net. Hopefully this game will be enough to prepare for Saturday's top of the table clash with Woolton.
Game 10 vs. Woolton. This was the first big game of the season. Woolton the league leaders held no fear for the Planners who took the game with goals in each half from Steve and a classic header from Jim. The Planners were powerful in every position, particular credit going to the keeper for maintaining the two goal lead late in the game with a number of fine saves. This win leaves the Planners 2 points off the top with 2 games in hand.
Game 11 vs. Red Star Withington. The championship run in began with what looked a tricky match against 4th placed RS Withington. The Planners undaunted by an opposition bedecked in the Ajax kit got off to a perfect start when Jim rose majestically at the far post to head his eighth goal of the season in the 1st minute. However, that was Planners' high point for the next 80 minutes, as Withington controlled the game and exerted constant pressure. John was again outstanding in goal but could do nothing when Withington scored a fine and deserved equaliser with 15 minutes to go. At times of crisis the Planners look to the dynamic duo of Steve and Ryan, and again they didn't disappoint, Ryan finishing coolly and calmly to restore the Planners lead. The icing on the cake was a third goal when Ally delightfully chipped the keeper from twenty yards.
Cup Quarter Final vs. Oak House I: A day of disappointment for the Planners as their luck finally ran out. Oak House led by a single goal after an evenly matched first half, but the Planners stepped up a gear in the second and looked to have the measure of their opponents, however just when the equaliser seemed on the cards, a fortunate second goal for Oak House gave them a crucial advantage and left the Planners chasing the game. In the last minutes Oak House scored a third, but the highlight of a bad day was to come when Andy Durham burst through, looking for that elusive first goal of the season, for some reason he unselfishly laid the ball off to Phil who had the simple task of putting the ball into an empty net, Phil obliged by blazing high and wide. The words "barn", "couldn't" "door" and "hit" spring to mind. Ryan scored a consolation, but Oak House ran out 4-1 winners and the Planners cup dream came to an end.
Game 12 vs. Geology. The big one, the game the Planners couldn't afford to lose. Played in atrocious conditions the Planners again had the benefit of an early goal, when Alastair’s shot (suspiciously masquerading as a cross) curled into the corner. The Planners looked solid and could have increased their lead by the interval, but were happy with 1-0. Straight from the restart Geology equalised, but ten minutes later Steve got that vital goal at the vital moment to restore the Planners lead and everything looked set fair. But then in a few moments the whole season’s work nearly came crashing down, as shortly after bringing on the second allowed subsitute, Ryan pulled his calf and was forced to retire. The Planners then conceded a second equaliser, in bizarre circumstances at a time when the Planners only had 9 players on the field, as Kieran was retrieving John’s hat at the time. The Planners were left with the task of holding out for 25 minutes with 10 men in torrential rain and hail if they were to secure the draw they needed to keep the Championship destiny in their own hands. Hold out they did, with a combination of a little luck but mostly through valiant effort. Now with 4 games to go, 4 wins are need for the title.
Game 13 vs. Maths. An easy morning run-out for the Planners, inspired by Big Frank in place of injured Ryan Maths were swept aside 7-1. It could have been more but for the use of Andy Durham as striker in the second half. Durham wasted chance after chance before his nadir of a penalty, when he spent the ball spiralling into orbit. Some cavalier defending (i.e. employing the rarely used 1-1-10 formation) resulted in a late consolation goal for Maths.
Game 14 vs. Ladybarn. It looks certain that the Planners blew their chances of the title with a disappointing defeat to a well organised Ladybarn side. After fighting back to 1-1 all look set for the Planners to take the three points, but the team fell asleep and gave away two sloppy goals. That's football, you're only as good as your last game and now the Planners must hope other sides slip if they are to get back in contention.
Game 15 vs. Accounts. Woolton's shock draw in mid-week rekindled the flame of the Planners championship dream, but only if they can take maximum points from the last two games. Accounts are a tricky proposition for anyone, the substantial backbone of Greek players inspires a skillful if diving and complaining outfit. In a bad tempered game, the Planners took the lead midway through Andy T.'s latest Bosman signing, Phelan. Accounts pressed hard in an even game, looking for penalties and free-kicks and generally getting more and more unhappy with their plight. The final whistle heralded their second defeat of the season, and provided a satisfying victory for the Planners against unsporting opponents.
Game 16 vs. Hardy Farm. The season ended in confused circumstances with the Planners awarded a 3-0 victory after Hardy Farm failed to raise a team. The 3 points guarantees promotion, but Geology with some games still play can stop the title going to the Planners, but they must win all of them to do so.
When the season started I had two aims. The first was to score my first ever goal for the Planners (in the right end) after two years of trying, and the second was to try and get a settled, reliable squad of players who would make my job a hell of a lot easier. Both aims were achieved and so the rest as they say 'was a bonus, Des'. I knew we had quite a good team, much of it from the previous year, but didn't really know how well we could do with other team's players changing from year to year, especially the hall teams. The first game went like a dream and really set us up for the season in terms of the self-belief that we could do well and gain promotion. Of course things got a lot tougher from then on and we actually started to concede the odd goal although we usually got five or six in reply. I got my customary own goal, slid expertly into the corner giving Jon no chance. We got to Christmas unbeaten through a touch of luck but mostly through hard work and playing as a team, sticking together during tough periods when often the opposition started shouting between themselves.
A string of hard games after Christmas saw determined if not pretty displays and progress into the quarter finals of the cup. Eventually we went out of that and struggled in a few games in the league, but ending up second in the league and gaining promotion was still a great achievement given the resources available to us compared to some of the other sides. The end of the season was a bit of an anti-climax, going up following a walkover but that was not our fault. I did my best in re-arranging games but sometimes it wasn't easy to cram them all in, and thankfully I didn't have to cancel any games thanks to the commitment of the squad and a few ringers drafted in on Saturday mornings.
It would be wrong to single out individual
players for praise as it has been a team effort which has served
us so well. Everybody has had both good and bad
games, but thankfully everybody's bad games weren't in the same
matches. Throughout, players have known their role and stuck to
it which has always given us a solid shape in which to play. I'd
like to say special thanks to those who've been in and out of the
team as substitutes, for their commitment - not moaning (at least
to
me) about the team I've selected and for standing on the
sidelines when the weather's ben bad. I've tried my best to give
you all a fair go and leave different players out each week.
I've really enjoyed playing in the team this
season and there are many moments I'll rememember such as the
12-0 win in the first game when we scored some fantastic goals;
the second half v. Chem Eng and going mental when Ally curled in
number 3 with Keiran and Andy shouting like crazy from the
touchline; the 6-4 win after extra time against Dalton II (or
should that be I?) in the cup; Rich's antics at the Xmas night
out; Phil's miss in the cup defeat from 10 yards with
an open goal at his mercy; Andy Durham's penalty going into
orbit; the 2- 2 with Geology after having only 10 men and a hail
storm in our faces; the 2-0 win against Woolton; some of
Alastair's late tackles and not forgetting some of my
inspirational (??) 'they've only got eleven' team talks.
I'd like to wish all the lads who are going to play next year all the best and say thanks to everyone for playing their part in our success this season.All the best for the future,
Andy Thompson
STOP PRESS !!!!
Following some severe grovelling from the current and future managers, the department has given a 50 quid contribution to the team subscription for next year. Chris Banister went on to say,
'May I take this opportunity to congratulate you, on behalf of the Department, on the team's success in gaining promotion to Division 1'
Cheers Chris !!
FC Planners are a team from Manchester University formed unsurprisingly from that well known hotbed of footie passion, the Planning Department of that University, hence the name FCPlanners! They play in the University league, and have been in the second division (of two) for the past 4 years. They have never won the University cup, although they have played in the 1st division.
The past few seasons have seen high hopes end in mid-table obscurity for FC Planners. Season 1994-95 saw a great start with the side topping the table in the early stages. However despite many goals by the pocket dynamo Dave Miller upfront, a crucial injury to Andy Burrows saw the Planners slide down the table. The team's style of play was typified by the boundless energy of Alex Kaiser and Ajay Patel down the left side, and by captain Mark Worcester in central midfield. 1994-95 also saw the debut of some of the current squad including current manager Andy Thompson, defensive colossus Jim and techno whizz-kid Andy Thomas, in addition to the unique skills of Welshie in various positions and states of drunkeness.
The 1995/6 Vintage
ast season was a poor one by even the FC Planners standards. Failure to pay the league subscription on time and administrative errors by the University saw the team fail to play a match until November. Once the fixtures did begin, the team was then hit by problems of failing to get eleven players. Consequently it was not until the first week of December when the first victory was gained, almost a year to the day of the anniversary of the team's last win. However with every cloud having a silver lining, the season saw this year's team beginning to develop with the introduction of Rich, Keiran, Andy Durham, Paul, Steve and on occasions Stan and Martin. Victories increased towards the end of the season and a firm platform for the current season's effort was established.
Former FC Planners players who have gone on to greater things: er.... ??? Watch this space (but not too closely)