Tell us who you are outside of the club. What do you do, how would you describe yourself?
I work in Digital Marketing on Personalised Videos. Outside of work my hobbies include disco dance, sunbathing and ping pong.
How did you end up at Merton FC?
Clappers scouted me on the pitch at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium (true story) and the rest, as they say, is history
What was your best moment in your MFC career till now?
Having my first Merton goal stolen from me on the line by Tom Benham. He finished club top goalscorer last year, I wonder how…
If you could play for a professional team,which would be it and why?
Portsmouth- boyhood team
Do you have any pre-match rituals or superstitions?
None as good as Mustard’s.
Lastly, share us your goals/expectations for the season.
I’m part of the 2s/3s supersquad which has enough quality in it to challenge for the league(s). Would probably count 2s out of the cup for now though
RAPID FIRE:
Player of the season (at Merton, or in professional football): Rashford
Tell us who you are outside of the club. What do you do, how would you describe yourself?
Outside of the club I have been a Policeman for 27 years and a dog handler for 16. (Don’t worry I am always off duty where football is concerned) I had the honour of being awarded National Police Action Dog Team of the Year last year so must be ok at my job. I also run a dog training, walking, sitting business Surrey K9 Training (Thanks for the free advertising) I am very busy with work but still arrange things to get down to football almost every week. Advice to youngsters play as long as you can because you will miss it when you get old like me!
How did you end up at Merton FC?
I started at Merton as the team I played for folded, I still played Mid-week and decided to take up refereeing. I answered an advert for a club referee and started reffing Merton teams every week. I missed playing at the weekend and realised that the standard was still one I felt I had something to offer at (i know opinions will vary on that one!) Joined up and the rest is history 7 years later I have played for 4’s , 5’s and 6’s currently on loan from 6’s to 5’s!
What was your best moment in your MFC career till now?
Best moment at Merton was walking out on the pitch in the same team as my son Ryan making his debut at 16 (ish) couldn’t have been a prouder moment and I am in awe of the fantastic young man and player he has become (much better than me and I take no credit for that)
If you could play for a professional team, which would be it and why?
If I could play for any team obviously the mighty SPURS would be up there (I’m used to disappointment) but I would have to say England! I would belt out the anthem and wear the shirt with pride and passion in the mould of Stuart Pearce or Terry Butcher not the prima donnas who think they are bigger than they are nowadays. Rant over!
Do you have any pre-match rituals or superstitions?
Pre-match routine got to be the pre-match dump! Remove excess body weight and avoid those embarrassing skid marks !
Lastly, share us your goals/expectations for the season.
Now I seem to be on permanent loan to the fives my hope for the season is that the team continue in the rich vein of form and team spirit we have and go on to win the league!
RAPID FIRE
Player of the season (at Merton, or in professional football): Merton – Ryan Burchell
Childhood Team: Spurs unless you count I played for Hales Hornets in little league!
Favourite team in the UK: The mighty Spurs
Favourite team outside the UK: Barcelona (been to the stadium great set up)
Childhood Hero: x men (cartoon version)
Favourite Food: steak extremely well done yum
Favourite Drink: used to be Becks lager now a nice speckled hen !
Favourite Band: The script but love all sorts of music !
After a 0-0 draw to EBOG last week at the Hood, the Merton men donned their yellow kits again at the Hood for a match up against HSBC, who were promoted last year from the Senior 3 division. Most of the Merton men arrived to the Hood at 12:45 sharp for their first 2pm kickoff of the season. The team welcomed back veteran defender Rat, who had been injured in the first game of the season. Vanny, still side-lined with a lingering hamstring injury, led the warmups and locker-room banter. He informed the team of HSBC’s recent form, stating incorrectly that HSBC had defeated EBOG by two goals, knowing all too well that this would psyche the guys up after last week’s draw to EBOG.
Before kickoff, a minute of silence was held to remember the tragic death of Nick Papanastasiou, who was a beloved Merton player and friend. Both teams stood opposite each other at the center circle for a minute of reflection. The Merton players wore black bands around their right arms as tribute to Nick and his loss to the club.
Merton had the first chance of the game as young James, making his first start for the 1s at left wing, (hopefully first of many) found himself on goal early after crossing up the HSBC right back inside their penalty box. Despite a solid look at the goal, HSBC’s keeper made a diving save on James’ shot. This was Merton’s best chance of the first half and one of the best of the match.
Both teams played extremely physical football and neither took a clear advantage early. The ball was in the air more than either would have liked, but Merton’s strong midfield trio of Tilly, Woody, and Will Low, won a majority of these aerial contests. However, the team lacked composure early and fiddled away a number of would be chances that could have turned the game Merton’s way.
HSBC overcompensated for their inferior skill with physical play and tried to rattle the Merton side with a bit of trash talking. The trash talking started out quite benign, but later in the first half after a clean tackle by Chaz in Merton’s box on a frail number 9, the trash talking escalated quickly to ugly exchanges of words, late tackles, and face-to-face square offs. Unfortunately, this made an already sloppy match, sloppier and resulted in a number of skirmishes, which culminated in Kearnsey’s red card around the 80th minute. He will miss three matches.
Despite a disappointing result for Merton, in which the team could not capitalise on its chances, there were a number of bright spots. Merton was close to scoring on several occasions. In the second half, Chaz sailed a squarely hit header just wide right off of a corner and Charlie, in typical solid form, had a number of shots on goal, most notably, a volley that was saved by their keeper. Els, a late substitution for right wing Milo, gave the team a much needed spark off the bench and demonstrated his speed and skill on the ball by running around defenders and nearly taking it to the house a few times. Manny and Brauner came off the bench in the second half for James and a gimpy Rat, respectively, and kept Merton fresh. The team will follow up on Rat’s injury after training on Wednesday.
In spite of the match’s poor standard of play, the defence held strong and limited HSBC to just a handful of chances. Per usual Siri was stellar, though not needed nearly as often as in the past two matches. Siri did make his presence known in the first half with a diving stop of an HSBC header from the six yard box off of a free kick from a few yards outside of the top right of the 18-yard box.
In the past three matches, Merton’s defence, led by Siri, have held the opposition to just one goal. Even with the team’s defensive effort, Merton has been held scoreless in those three matches and has managed just two points to show for it. With some offensive fire power in Vanny returning shortly from injury and hopefully Tom Rowe later in the season, the team should make for a formidable foe and a tough team to face in league play.
Through six games, Merton sits 5th in the table with 9 points, only two points behind HSBC, who are 2nd with a game in hand. This would have been a huge victory that would have catapulted Merton to 2nd in the table. Merton was the better side and will be ready for HSBC next time.
Next week Merton heads south to the Charterhouse School for a second round AFA cup matchup against Old Carthusians, who play in the Arthurian League and are one of only a few English clubs to win both the FA cup and Amateur Cup. There is no doubt that Merton will be up for this one.
TEAM: Siri (GK), Kearnsey, Chaz, Clappers, Rat, Will Low, Tills, Woody, Milo, Charlie, James Laughton
SUBS: Brauner, Els, Manny
MAN OF THE MATCH: Will Low was voted man of the match for his dominating performance
in the middle
DICK OF THE DAY: Kearnsey’s red card earned him dick of the day, despite 4 votes for Vanny.
Tell us who you are outside of the club. What do you do, how would you describe yourself?
I am a Graphic Designer working for a publishing company in North London specialising in the maritime industry. You may not know, but I also put together the Merton Way every week. If you read ‘Ram’s Heads Up’ then you might have drawn your own conclusions as to what kind of person I am, but I’m just a down to earth bloke who enjoys a good laugh but likes doing things against the norm.
How did you end up at Merton FC?
I was looking for a club near Sutton as my girlfriend lives down there as the travelling after football/cricket from North London on a Saturday evening was tiresome and long. So now I find myself travelling down on a Saturday morning from Wembley.
What was your best moment in your Merton FC career till now?
Not many memorable ones, that’s the problem when you play consistently well each week. Seriously, I would have to say first goal for the club against Civil Service. A left foot volley from the edge of the box with the goalkeeper nowhere near it.
If you could play for a professional team, which would be it and why?
FC Barcelona, my second team. To play that kind of football every week and in the Nou Camp would be a dream.
Do you have any pre-match rituals or superstitions?
To make sure I have atleast one shot at goal, otherwise I don’t get many chances during the game.
Lastly, share us your goals/expectations for the season.
To have a winning season with the sixes. That means win more than we lose! Also to be competitive in all our matches.
Weirside pulled off a robbery right under the noses of the Met Police (FC) to snare all 3 points at Imber Court. This was an emotional day for Merton, sporting black armbands and holding a minute’s silence to mark the tragic passing of fellow boar Nick Papanastasiou last week. Merton started the game in Nick-esque fashion, with high energy and intensity, and might have had their first penalty a couple of minutes in when Dan skinned his man and was clipped on the line as he cut into the box. The game ground to a halt as everyone turned to the referee for his decision. Was it a pen or a free kick….? Neither, apparently, and the game went on. More bemusement followed as Merton’s back 4 stepped up and confidently called offsite. No whistle…. and what seemed like half an hour later the ball was walked into our net with Big Jase setting off in hot pursuit of the ref which may have contributed to him twanging his groin 10 mins into the 2nd half.
Weirside’s next real chance (of 3 in the match) wouldn’t come until the last 5 minutes of the game. In the interin, almost everybody in yellow tried and failed to notch. First, Joe Grew flicked a header against the angle of post and bar. Then Pearcey was clipped in the box and went down quicker than an AC/DC groupie. Free kick awarded for diving. Then a Weirside defender blocked a cross/shot in the box with his hands raised above his head like an umpire signalling a six. No pen, despite a free-kick being awarded for the same thing in midfield 10 minutes later. As a sort of interlude from the succession of missed chances, Stoney put in a good old fashioned chopper on his opposite number, who moaned about it for the next 15 minutes to anyone within earshot. Sadly that didn’t include the perpetrator as Mike had crocked himself and limped off straight after. Gresty followed a couple of classic amateur football moments (treading on the ball in the centre circle and shanking a cross out of play from the corner of the 6-yard box) by somehow managing to kick the ball over the bar whilst laying on the goal line. Then his header in midfield put Dan clear through on goal, but the keeper saved bravely to send Merton into the break a goal down.
Merton pushed forward in the second half, finding joy from Cookie and Alex Goodwin pinging balls in behind the full backs. Pearcey was inches away from connecting with Dan’s cross from the right and then he headed wide from 6 yards on the end of Rayner’s. More good work down the right saw Dan stab a shot agonisingly between the post and Gresty. Lots of chances, but it much work for the keeper. That changed when Jordan rose like his Liverpool idol John Barnes (the player; not the awful pundit/channel 5 football presenter) but his header from the edge of the box was brilliantly tipped onto the bar. Cometh the hour mark, cometh DQ from the bench, making his Merton return after a succession of injuries/sexual harassment claims. And it’s fair to say he looked a little rusty with his first effort, blazing high over the treeline from 10 yards out. He got much closer with his second though, a header nodded down at the back post, bouncing back off the upright and being scrambled away. Next up was Lofty, unleashing a fizzing piledriver which infuriatingly swerved back in towards the keeper and into his midriff. Weirside did have the odd foray into Merton territory, mostly mopped up by Stoney and Cookie at CB and the Alexes at full back. When they did carve out the chance to put the game to bed, Sherbs pulled off a wonder save, leaping at full stretch to palm the ball round the post. Merton’s final chance came when Cookie surged forward and was scythed down on the edge of the box. Up stepped Alex G who bent a sumptuous free kick up and over the wall…. and inches wide of the near post. With that, the final whistle blew and the game was lost. The failure to score continued deep into Saturday night, but that is another story.
So a frustrating result and a game Merton really should have got something from. But to be honest it pales into insignificance in the context of this week.
Team: Sherbs, Alex King, Ben Cook, Big Jase, Alex Goodwin, Mike Stone, Gresty, Joe Grew, Rayner, Pearcey, Dan Kelly. Subs: Lofty, Jordan, DQ
MOM: Alex Goodwin who just pipped Alex King, hitherto unmentioned in this match report because there were so many misses to get through.
Name: Jordan Cox
Team: 2s/3s super squad
Position: Right midfield
Birth Date:8/2/1993
Birth Place: Aintree, Liverpool
Previous Clubs: Other Amateur clubs
Tell us who you are outside of the club. What do you do, how would you describe yourself?
I moved to London last year and work in HR for TfL. I get involved with anything in and around London and play a variety of sports. Hopefully I can say I’m a friendly lad having met some fantastic mates already.
How did you end up at Merton FC?
Gresty. Played with him for the London transport team and got me involved with Merton training.
What was your best moment in your MFC career till now?
It was only my first league game last Saturday having been injured for the start of the season, so I’d say learning the clubhouse rules as they will come in handy in the future. Also the club polo shirt proved to be a great taking point in the Wandle, even on Halloween.
If you could play for a professional team, which would be it and why?
Liverpool. It’s a shame not to see a local lad in the current starting line up as the supporters really get behind them no matter what.
Do you have any pre-match rituals or superstitions?
I used to demand the number 4 shirt as it was my first number when starting football but I’ve moved on. None for now.
Lastly, share us your goals/expectations for the season.
At this moment, I need to get my fitness back and hopefully contribute towards a good run of games to get the 2s/3s up the table to make it exciting come the end of the season.
RAPId FIRE:
Player of the season (at Merton, or in professional football): Phil coutinho
1. Tell us who you are outside of the club. What do you do, how would you describe yourself?
I moved over to the UK from Australia about 18 months ago after graduating from university. I started on the graduate scheme at BT and now find myself working as a Product Manager for BT Sport. Outside of work, I am usually planning my next trip as I love to travel.
2. How did you end up at Merton FC?
I had Mike Stone give Clappers my number after witnessing some magical skills at 5 a-side.
3. What was your best moment in your MFC career till now?
Scoring a very scrappy penalty in a shoot-out win over Bank of England in the cup.
4. If you could play for a professional team, which would be it and why?
Tottenham Hotspur – childhood team.
5. Do you have any pre-match rituals or superstitions?
I usually like to get to the ground early (I don’t think this has happened once since I started getting a lift with Siri) and try to get my hands on one of the few medium sized jerseys.
6. Lastly, share us your goals/expectations for the season.
PREVIOUS CLUBS: None, recently moved across from Rugby
1. Tell us who you are outside of the club. What do you do, how would you describe yourself?
Hi everyone, I work for BT (like many Merton players) and live in South London, having recently departed my homeland of Essex. My degree is in Sport and Exercise science so completely irrelevant to my current job, but sport has always been something I’ve been passionate about and I’ve played loads over the years. I would describe myself as fairly self-deprecating most of the time, layered with sarcasm and the occasional witty comment.
2. How did you end up at Merton FC?
I was introduced to the club by my good pal Mike Stone, who used to work with me at BT.
3. What was your best moment in your MFC career till now?
I’d say this is to be confirmed, but perhaps our dramatic penalty shoot out win in the cup a few weeks back. I bottled it and didn’t take one but we were all very happy.
4. If you could play for a professional team, which would be it and why?
Probably anywhere in the MLS for the weather and money.
5. Do you have any pre-match rituals or superstitions?
Nope, other than lots of stretching these days since tearing my hamstring not that long ago.
6. Lastly, share us your goals/expectations for the season.
On a personal level I’d like to simply know my best position and be comfortable knowing what I’m doing on an 11 a side pitch. As a team we’ve had a tough start but I think we are good enough to push up the table before long.
RAPID FIRE:
Player of the season (at Merton, or in professional football):
3’s Match Report vs Alexandra Park – 29th October 2016
This weekend’s game was led by a minute’s silence to remember to Nick Papanastasiou a top guy and true boar who sadly passed away whilst on his travels in Vietnam. Both teams showed there respects by engaging in a minutes silence prior to kick off.
Merton lined up with a 4-4-2 formation designed to move the ball quickly up the field to utilize the pace and flair of Glenn combining with the strength of Denys to ensure we could create chances to get an early goal against an in form Alexandra Park who have been bothering the top end of the table so far this season. The game kicked off with Merton under pressure in the first 10 minutes with a number of chances falling to Alexandra Park’s right winger and striker with nothing coming to fruition.
Ricardo was forced off early on in the first half with a suspected injury to his ankle with Frankie coming on from the bench to push into left midfield and Andy dropping to left back. The game was fairly end to end with a number of chances for both sides materializing in the first half with most play coming down the wings for both sides yet neither side could convert until late in the first half where Alexandra Park scored the first goal of the game despite goalkeeper Dan doing his best to keep the chance out.
As the second half kicked off Merton were pressing from the midfielder to get an early goal back with a couple of chances flying over the bar or being comfortably saved by the goalkeeper. The second goal of the game came for Alexandra Park from a corner in which in some poor judgement from Frankie coming off the past far to early led to the opposition able to head home with ease at the far post. Merton looked to be struggling to get back into the game at this point with few opportunities a sub was made in which Elz was brought on after playing for the 1’s and taking on a forward role at the expense of Denys. Almost with his first touch from a cleverly worked quick free kick Elz tapped in from the back post and Merton were back in the game. As Merton continued to press the team was switched to a 3-4-3 formation in which seemed to help pile the pressure on to the opposition with chances presenting themselves more frequently than any other point in the game it looked like Merton would be able to get back into the game.
With a few minutes to run a late flurry from Alexandra Park saw their right winger forge a run into the box and an attempted tackle by Tony who had been solid at centre back the entire game saw the Alexandra Park player go down and a dubious penalty awarded. The initial effort was saved well by Dan with the follow up turned in by Alexandra Park which led to the final score of the game at 3-1.
Although not the result that the 3’s had wanted to honor Nick’s memory the game was played in good spirit with the opposition after the game going and paying their respects to Nick’s family and friends who had come down to watch and support the game.
