10/09: PRE-SEASON ROUND UP
On the eve of the new season, The Woolpack FC are looking in much better condition than this time last season. With only 2 games under their back and a sense of misguided confidence they went into their first season under strength and lacking in experience, but they won't make that mistake this year. After playing 7 friendly matches and signing 12 new players they are in a much better position to begin a season. The talk of winning the league has not been mentioned and won't be until the results begin coming in. With the first 4 league games against 2 new sides, the Wellington who were beaten 5-1 home and away last season, and close rivals Field Head, 6 points should be achieved from. If this target is met the mid-table finish set out by the management could be a realistic aim, but who knows, they could get 12 points!
05/07: PLAYER REVIEW 2008/09
A total of 31 players signed on to play for The Woolpack in their first season although only 24 were used in more than three matches. Here is a quick run down of each player and what they did this season and what the hopes are for the season to come.
05/07: REVIEW OF THE SEASON 2008/09
The first season for The Woolpack FC brought drama, excitement, disappointment and hopefully a bit of fun. The season began with great high hopes of glory - a combination of young energy and experienced players seemed to be the perfect mix for the Kirklees Sunday League and although many players hadn't experienced this level of football before their showing in pre-season training seemed to fair them well.
Before even the first friendly there were ideas of what the team would be. The fundraiser against the pub regulars showed that Calum Campbell would be the main man, and his strike partner Nathan Adams wasn't just all tricks and skills as he also banged in four goals. Ben Burhouse seemed to control midfield, a position he has never played before, Phill Rodgerson stood out at the back as a leader and organiser but a lot of hopes rested on the shoulders of Chris Lockwood and Marcus Harrison as the wingers. It was the plan of manager Shane Beaumont to use the width and slope of our home pitch at Almondbury to it's full potential and these players were key.
But after the first proper friendly (against Net Terriers) there were concerns. The poor fitness of Chris Lockwood and inexperience of Marcus Harrison showed, and the only threats were created through surprise package David "Kenny" Cross. But a half-time lead of 3-1 seemed strong enough. The new partnership at the back of Daniel Martin and Tim Dyson with Luke Stanger in goal seemed impenetrable. Until the second half. The absence of a natural centre-midfielder piled the pressure on the defence and substitute keeper Andy Battye couldn't keep out the attacks and the game finished 4-3 to The Terriers.
With only one friendly remaining there was little time to correct these problems and The Woolpack entered the first game of the season, against Helion, unprepared.
Before even the first friendly there were ideas of what the team would be. The fundraiser against the pub regulars showed that Calum Campbell would be the main man, and his strike partner Nathan Adams wasn't just all tricks and skills as he also banged in four goals. Ben Burhouse seemed to control midfield, a position he has never played before, Phill Rodgerson stood out at the back as a leader and organiser but a lot of hopes rested on the shoulders of Chris Lockwood and Marcus Harrison as the wingers. It was the plan of manager Shane Beaumont to use the width and slope of our home pitch at Almondbury to it's full potential and these players were key.
But after the first proper friendly (against Net Terriers) there were concerns. The poor fitness of Chris Lockwood and inexperience of Marcus Harrison showed, and the only threats were created through surprise package David "Kenny" Cross. But a half-time lead of 3-1 seemed strong enough. The new partnership at the back of Daniel Martin and Tim Dyson with Luke Stanger in goal seemed impenetrable. Until the second half. The absence of a natural centre-midfielder piled the pressure on the defence and substitute keeper Andy Battye couldn't keep out the attacks and the game finished 4-3 to The Terriers.With only one friendly remaining there was little time to correct these problems and The Woolpack entered the first game of the season, against Helion, unprepared.
