A game of generosity

Should we once a week nominate someone, on a rotational basis, to be at 9am at the Palace pitch to reclaim the land from current users so that we can play there for good as we have done for many years?

The ground is in better shape than the Pond one, easier to reach but bit smaller in size.  Also to take it from small kids won’t make us many friends in the park. But a small sacrifice could yield a benefit to many. Worth a thought.  If we go for it we should give the job for the first time to someone big and muscular to make negotiations straight and short. Any volunteer?

Yesterday 19 players confronted each other again on a wet pitch with relatively little spots of mud.  The Algos started the balancing act by allocating in a fraction of a second Adam and Yassin one the Orange side and Johannes and Daoud on the Colours’ one and from then on all the others. The resulting squads started hostilities at once showing aggression as if their lives depended on the final result. Even from the very first few minutes the trained eyes could not guess who would eventually prevail.

One player looked on steroids right from the start defending like Thiago Silva, dribbling like Ronaldinho and scoring like Ronaldo 🇧🇷.  Victory his mission, Victor his name. At one point he took the ball inside his box, made a dazzling solo run and deposited the ball in the back of the net with an exquisite lob over the upcoming goalkeeper.  If that is the effect of a skiing week, then CLUB should consider sending the entire squad to Arosa in Switzerland for the winter season before the weekly match.

The problem with having such an instant impact  early in the game is that it gets noticed. From then on opposition systematically engaged in targeted and vicious fouls on Victor who eventually had to retire in goal where nevertheless he distinguished himself with fine saves despite the injury. Shame on the Referee for not being able to protect these UNESCO players who make the beautiful game a beauty.

Another major accident happened to Daoud who pulled a muscle and had to limp off. As a sub could not be found, not least because there is none of his quality, the crowd felt uneasy with a growing number of fans asking for the ticket’s refund.
It was only when a pool of banks was assembled to fund the transfer of Nizard from Orange to Colours that a new balance was found and the game could start with renewed fervour.

The Orange with Yassin dictating the law in midfield and the double act Adam-Mohammad executing with the precious assistance of Arman, were able to score a hat trick each. Something that Johannes did on the opposite front as well keeping single handed the Colours in the game.

Eventually time was on the Orange side and the golden goal had to be called: Adam crowned a superb game with the last goal of the day and brought home, escorted by Sara and Hossam, the ever coveted Man of the Match trophy adding to the family collection.

The game, however thrilling and ferocious, was not the highlight of the day. What caught the heart of the fans and the players was a press release by the CLUB disclosing the amount of money raised by the first three benefactor FDs to fund our 20th birthday: they are 2,500£+2,500£+1,500£ for a massive total of 6,500£.  An incredible example of generosity!

This great sum is a mix of straight donation and change of sponsors. In fact Londra, Italia  (Kids) and Gold Collagen (Dads), after achieving global recognition, are kindly giving other sponsors the privilege to put their names on the new kits.  This make the prospect of having a top of the pop anniversary event realistic. But is not enough: Dads need to win MG10 and to increase such chance ultimately we want to be able to employ Ronaldo and Messi as subs in case the game does not go according to plans.

Bad jokes apart we need to continue to donate generously to be able to afford, among others, a top pitch where at the moment we have not made much progress. I’m also pleased  to report that we have now a dedicated current account in my name and  nicknamed ‘Football Dads’. To make a donation here details:

Giancarlo Castelli
Barclays Bank
20-26-89
93831469

(Always put your full name as reference )

At the end of the funding process the top 6 donors will be invited to a dinner at Giancarlo’s where the (in)famous chef will himself perform his best to try and add an unprecedented fourth Michelin star.

I remind you that the Anniversary Party is Saturday 21 September from 7pm. Venue TBC.

As for MG10 the date depends on what pitch we find but regardless on Saturday morning 21 September there will be anyway a BIG game with brand new kits.

ORANGE-COLOURS 7-4

GOALS
ORANGE: Adam (3), Mohammad (3), Johannes (og)
COLOURS: Johannes (3), Victor

TEAMS
ORANGE: Alessandro, Hossam, Bijan, Jonathan,  Sara, Adam, Yassin, Mohammad, Arman, Nizard
COLOURS: Paride, Ali, Riccardo, Victor,  Johannes, Arsalan, Daoud (Nizard), Francesco, Andrea R,