June 2008
With Gabby sunning himself in his Speedo thong on a beach in Corfu (or is he scouring Southern Europe for ageing footballers??), the honor of writing the end of season round up has fallen to your honorable secretary….

So, how was it for you? Emotional, tiring, exhilarating, all of the above?

Personally, despite a tinge of disappointment at the end, I thoroughly enjoyed it and I can’t wait to get going again next season. So how can we sum the season up? Well, considering some of us only met for the first time just 10 months ago I think its fair to say that we came through ok.We were still mathematically in with a chance of promotion with one game to go - a tremendous situation for a team who had hardly performed together.

Our pre season expectations were fairly high following promising performances against teams both younger than us and longer established. In fact whispers of a promotion winning debut season were being exchanged amongst drunken locals at the Griff.  Unfortunately we failed to turn up in three games and therefore a season of consolidation is the outcome.

So many thank-you’s need to be offered following our debut season.  In fact Gabby has a list longer than Petchy’s nose! I’m sure we all agree that without the squad Gabby has put together, the season wouldn’t have been as half as enjoyable as it might have been. Therefore a big thank-you to the entire squad for making the season fun.  A big thank-you has to go to those who despite injury would still turn up to support our efforts – you all know who you are. And then there are those who didn’t get as much time on the pitch as they would have hoped yet continued to show and be counted – Legends. Other thank-you’s go to the handful of players who wore the captains armband throughout the season, especially Rich Nicholls who made the position his own mid way through the season. And finally a special thank-you is reserved for The Griffin’s smallest member – no not Martin Lucas – but little Josh Walker. Josh has become the team’s mascot and a firm favorite amongst the lads.

The season came to an official end on Saturday 17th May – The Griffin Awards! It was a very well attended bash which helped the club to raise some much needed cash. The top award of the night – The Players Player of the Year – went to the one and only Richard Nicholls. Richard’s performances have been legendary and the award is very well deserved. Another top gong went to Richard’s strike partner Ian Whalebelly. Whales picked up the prestigious Mangers Player of the Year for his cracking return of goals and non stop effort. The final award went to Ian Carter. Ian was unfortunate enough to be handed the YVS award following his magnificent 10 second display against NALGO Old Boys. It is now Ian’s honor to decide who collects the prize next year. Check out the player profiles link giving a run down of each player’s season.

Big Positive
Having two strikers who can score goals. 32 goals between them is phenomenal.

Big Negative
An annoying knack of not showing up at big games until after half time.

Summer Priority
In the gaffers own words – two or three new players to take us up a level

So that’s it. Enjoy your break and we’ll see you in a few months for our first friendly – watch this space!

End of Season document - download