My Life In Yours (Sign-Up Story)

[Brian of Nazareth]

settling into portuguese life sans problème The excellent wine helping greatly I think.

[Gennaro08]

Sorry for the intermittent posting of late, been moving house, been without Internet Connection, had virus problems and life kinda got in the way, stupid thing.

In the 9th Round of the French Cup, Marseille travelled to Epinal with Conrad Rowden a second half substitute in the 2-1 win. Lille overcame Nice with Diego Della Rosa opening the scoring in the 2-1 win. In the English FA Cup 3rd Round, Portsmouth played hosts to Aston Villa, Jude Alderson starting left-wing where he was replaced by number 7 Smithaldo. Ty and Harleqin were absentees through injury, while Terkaldinho was left out and Leo Allen unsurprisingly didn't feature for Villa. Oh and by the way Benjani scored in the 1-0 win for Pompey. West Ham visited Turf Moor on Sunday evening to take on Burnley live on TV with Scottish striker Lee Miller bagging both goals in the 2-0 with Willy starting in centre midfield but there was no place for James Bradbury. The draw made after that game would see The Hammers travel to Bury in round four whilst Portsmouth were presented with another home tie, this time against Wolves on TV.

San Potito travelled to Real Marcianise, the fifth times the teams have met in Stefano Melisi's short career and has something of a hold over the Luigi Boccolini's men, four wins from win, all by two goal margins. Stefano was without defenders Morgan Suric, Faisel Achlioui and Vincenzo Marciano meaning a second league appearance of the season for Danilo Massaro while John Goossens was suspended and the injured Gianluca Palmiteri's loan contract had been terminated in the week. It was first and second blood for I Leoni with Luigi Rana taking full advantage of some poor passing in defence. If the first owed a lot to Real Marcianise's sloppyness, the second was born of a moment of class from Massaro, he hit a long raking diagonal ball into the path of Steeve Gustan who had found some space down the right, headed for the byline before picking out Andrea Cammarota who turned it home. In the second half, the hosts put Stefano's side under a deal of pressure but the defense and Nathan Coe in particular stood firm for his ninth clean sheet in fourteen league matches and another two goal winning margin.

That win moved San Potito up to fourth in the league and only two points behind league leaders Frosinone, whom were dispatched 2-0 just before Christmas. It left Stefano in an awkward position as the bids continued for a select few including Lecce's outargeously low bid for Francesco Cosenza, £420k in debt yet with a chance of promotion. Lecce also made a bid for John Goossens, which was negogiated to the tune of a million pounds, which was a more realistic value for the player, but should they achieve promotion that fee might be a bargain and maybe it is worth hanging on to them until the summer and then sell those that want to leave and command a big fee. It all revolved around Lecce as several clubs made bids for their midfielder Davide Giorgino and despite having already submitted a loan offer for the 21-year-old, Stefano knew that there was more chance of the player accepting a permanent move than a temporary and after consultation with Chairman Giuseppe Maglione, a bid of £16,000 (for a player worth £130,000) was made matching that of Serie C1/A clubs Pavia and Monza and fellow C1/B club Catanzaro, whom were San Potito's next opponents, looking to avenge their 6-2 nightmare at Nicola Ceravolo earlier in the season. Brescia came in with a proper tempting bid for John Goossens, nearing a million pounds, which was considered and Stefano tried to stall them until the summer as even with that amount of cash influx, players just didn't seem to share the boards and fans expectations of winning Serie C1/B and some of the players had previously been quietly unhappy about not being nearer the top of the table, thinking the team was underachieving yet he couldn't attract any players of quality, such as Inter's Saidi Adeshokan agreeing to join Serie C2/B side Spal on loan for rest of the season instead. Carmine Gaeta agreed to the loan move to Latina of Serie C2/C for the rest of the season after only managing two league appearances in the first half of the season. Treviso made a bid for another one of San Potito's young players, Frenchman Morgan Suric for co-ownership but with the player valued at very little (£26k) it all seemed kind of pointless for Stefano. Empoli and Chievo returned with fresh co-ownership bids for John Goossens who was flattered by the interest shown in him and was considering his options. After checking Goossens contract, Stefano realised that there was a clause that allowed the Dutchman to leave for half a million if the club failed to achieve promotion, which would most likely be activated, so feelers were sent out for a figure of around a million pounds or as near to as possible and eight clubs responded including the likes of Fiorentina, Brescia, Cagliari and Lecce. Goalkeeper Ermanno Fumagalli left 17th placed Serie C2/B Montevarchi for the princely sum of £1,000.

[Gennaro08]

After a very busy week it was finally back to the football as third placed Catanzaro arrived at Sant'Abruzzese. Stefano's team talk comprised of playing the audio of fifteen minutes when San Potito dominated the reverse fixture earlier in the season and scored twice to pull it back to 3-2 before eventually going down 6-2 but wanted to enforce that they were beatable but focus, concentration and hard work was required for the full ninety minutes. Ninety seconds in and Luigi Rana - who had been the subject of several loan bids from lower clubs - put San Potito ahead as Stefano thumped the air with his fist, looked at the clock and sat back down calmly. San Potito kept the visitors at arms length for the rest of the half and into the second half Cammarota curled an effort just wide. A couple of breakaways later where Rana and Salvi had excellent chances to increase the lead and a fantastic save from Coe later the game headed into injury time and some neat interchange in midfield created a hole where Frank de Haan ran through the middle of the defence and was put through but fired straight at Emanuele Belardi in the Catanzaro goal as San Potito recorded a great victory and Coe's tenth clean sheet in fifteen league matches. Full-back Faisel Achlioui having just returned from a back strain repeated the trick and would spend another month on the treatment table. Frank de Haan signed a new contract after the game until 2010, ridding his contract of the non-promotion release clause of a quarter of a million.

Davide Giorgino rejected the contract offer made by Stefano, stating he didn't want to play in a lower division than his current Serie B and had seemingly made peace with Mauro Sandreani, being removed from the transfer list and was reinstated back in the first team squad. The eight clubs came back accepting Stefano's demands to hold onto John Goossens until the summer offering £500,000 up front, the same figure again over two years and 10% sell on fee, the clubs being Reggina, Brescia, Cagliari, Fiorentina from Serie A, Lecce and Perugia from Serie B, FC Twente from Eredivise in Holland and ADO Den Haag from the second tier in Holland. The future of AFC Wimbledon's Steve al-Jazeera was put in doubt when he turned down their latest contract offer reasoning that the basic wage was unacceptable, the Kuwait internatioanl's contract has only five months to run. In an action packed game at Parc des Princes, Paris beat Marseille in extra-time, which featured three injuries and the sending off of Helder Postiga, which will earn the Portuguese star a two match ban. His suspension might allow Conrad Rowden a game, who again sat out the Paris match, watching from the stands. Whilst watching the youth team dispatch off Sangiovannese's respective team to move back top of the division which included a hat-trick from Cristian Toma, Stefano received a phone call from his favourite people, an agent, it was AZ Alkmaar's Michael Buskermolen confirming that the 34-year-old had accepted the terms offered and that his client would join up with San Potito in the summer on a one year contract. Dave Solomon continued on rejecting the contracts offered to him by AFC Wimbledon, as the youngster continued on his rolling month-to-month contract.

Stefano's men faced their second big battle of three as they travelled to four placed Sangiovannese, no doubt looking to revenge after being thrashed 5-0 at Sant'Abruzzese in the reverse fixture earlier in the season. Stefano's instructions were clear, "Remember last week, well Piero Braglia will have his men fired up the same way as you were last week so we will need to raise it that little bit more today." The cliche of a game of two halves was true here as San Potito had the better of the first half but were unable to capitalise with Rana going closest but Giuseppe Adriano Di Masi wasn't to be beaten, while Sangiovannese had the better of the second half and for all the world it looked like Nathan Coe wouldn't be beaten, but in the 88th minute he was and the hosts took the three points to climb above I Leoni into second. Three points covered the top seven in Serie C1/B after twenty games played.

[Gennaro08]

Agostino Roma was the latest victim of the weights room, suffering a back strain that would get him out of action for a month and on Monday morning defender Francesco Cosenza twisted his ankle in training that would keep him out for up to a month, the fourth defender sidelined at present. Meanwhile the North American Gold Cup started with Børge Eian present in the U.S.A. squad but not in the playing squad for their opening victory over the Bahamas, a Landon Donovan hat-trick doing the damage. John Goossens made his decision and Fiorentina would be his destination in the summer. Finnish international midfielder Markus Palosaari arrived at Sant'Abruzzese to assess the clubs setup after his side Metz accepted Stefano's offer of taking the 19-year-old off their hands on a free transfer, a contract was discussed and he left to make a decison between Italy and Portugal with Maia also chasing the youngster. The U.S.A. qualified for the Quarter Finals of the North American Cup with a 1-1 with the mighty El Salvador but on Saturday faced Brazil and lost by two Robinho goals to one Landon Donovan, Børge Eian was an unused sub against the Brazilians. Porto with Scottinho starting in central midfield travelled to Moreirense in the sixth round of the Portuguese Cup. Benni McCarthy scored both goals in 2-1 win setting up a home tie with Naval, whilst Sporting's 2-1 away win over Vitoria Setubal with Rod Davies on the left-wing set up another road fixture against Beira-Mar in the last eight. Pan Panpardus missed Vicenza's home win over Empoli as he was busy in Madagascar winning his 19th cap for Southa Africa in the 2-1 victory in the Group H African Cup of Nations Qualifier. Portsmouth and West Ham United both booked their place in the hat for the fifth round draw of the FA Cup, Pompey defeating Wolves 2-1 on TV with Ty and Jude Alderson starting. West Ham drew 2-2 at Gigg Lane against Bury, where Willy started and get to take them back to Upton Park in a week and a halves time, with the winner facing Q.P.R. at home.

Giacomo Bontempo made his league debut at centre-back in place of the injured Cosenza as a patched up San Potito defence took on Sambenedettese at home, with Andrea Cammarota jokingly ordered not to enter his own penalty area within the last minutes of the game. The talk of promotion was hereby banned from being mentioned at Sant'Abruzzese as San Potito somehow lost 2-1 at home with both goals coming from substitutes one of which was, Filippo Maniero. After the game Metz called to inform Stefano that Markus Palosaari had decided to head to Portugal, unfortunately the French official had called at the wrong time as Stefano wasn't very talkative or polite.

As the transfer window drew to a close, Stefano found it increasingly more difficult to bring in goalkeeper cover for Nathan Coe, it seemed that no one was interested in signing for San Potito as they were constantly knocked back by players not wanting to go on loan to such a club, which was further proved by Piacenza striker Daniele Cacia agreeing to a loan move to Como having rebuffed Stefano twice. It did finally happen for him though on deadline day, Messina goalkeeper Antonio Calabrese joining on loan, costing the club £50 per week. Nigerian Alade Adeshina was brought in from Ternana to bolster the squad as well for the rest of the season, providing pace in the final third. Ternana came in with late bids for defender Francesco Cosenza and midfielder Frank de Haan, which were far below their value and messages were sent back asking for a real offer to be submitted, which weren't in time before the window was double-glazed for another five months.

[Gennaro08]

January 2007 Review:

Real Marcianise 0

San Potito 2 - Rana (12) Cammarota (25)

Man of the Match: Coe (GK)

San Potito 1 - Rana (2)

Catanzaro 0

Man of the Match: de Haan (RM)

Att: 2,934

Sangiovannese 1 - Kanyengele (88)

San Potito 0

Man of the Match: Coe (GK)

San Potito 1 - Rana (58)

Sambenedettese 2 - Maniero (47) Cameli (64)

Man of the Match: Rana (Str)

Att: 2,327

League Position: 5th

[Rarebit Nutter]

Broken pelvis what an injury to have!

[Panpardus]

good old Pan, he's going off, wont be long before he gets footballer of the Year and shoves it in Quinton's face

[Gennaro08]

The third big test in four times saw San Potito travel to Lanciano in a game that was a case of whoever made the least mistakes wins. A first senior goal for Danilo Massaro was a fluke, well what else would you expect from a full-back, after Simone Sannibale gifted possession, fellow full-back Gaetano Avolio doubled the lead after 28 minutes when he deflected Luigi Rana effort from a corner, for his first goal of the season. Goalkeeper Nathan Coe came for a cross but was second best to Francesco Zerbini who netted. With Lanciano pushing on, Luigi Rana got away down the right flank, cutting in and his shot was parried by Michele Soccio but into the path of Steeve Gustan who made no mistake to restore the two goal advantage. Danilo Massaro made the last crucial mistake when he tugged Federico Marongiu's shirt and Cosimo Mazzei awarded a penalty which was converted by Zerbini but San Potito recorded another good away win, which lifts them back into second and gives them the best away record after struggling at the start of the season.

Monday night saw the U19's take to the field in a set of friendlies and England lost 2-1 to Serbia & Montenegro with Dave Solomon starting and Smithaldo coming off the bench.

Tuesday night and it was the turn of the U21's with Ty an unused sub in England's victory over their Serbian & Montenegrian counterparts. Gennaro Melisi was unable to add to his one previous cap for Italy as he was an unused sub in the victory over Nigeria.

Wednesday night and the full internationals were on display with Tobes an unused substitute for Australia in the 1-1 away draw with Cyprus. Harleqin was an unused sub and Mikkel Kristensen not in the playing squad as Denmark beat Hong Kong. Willy was suffering from concussion and therefore unavailable for Ireland's defeat against Scotland at Hampden Park. Jude Alderson and Sam Cox were subs, coming on for their second caps. Terkaldinho wasn't selected for the matchday squad for the victorious Scots. Northern Ireland recorded a good home victory over Slovakia, with Hick winning his ninth cap. It was cap number nine for Steve al-Jazeera against Tunisia and number two for Conrad Rowden, seeing seven minutes of action for Norway in the defeat to South Africa where Pan Panpardus starred in his 20th cap. HD made his full international debut up front in the 1-1 drew with Barbados. Børge Eian wasn't selected for the U.S.A. in their 1-1 with Russia while it was cap number six for James Bradbury in centre midfield for Wales in their victory over Georgia.

Just over a month after Delio Rossi signed Sam Cox from AFC Wimbledon, chairman Claudio Lotito gave the 47-year-old his marching orders, with Dino Zoff replacing him just three days later. Another month and another contract rejected by Dave Solomon, offered to him by AFC Wimbledon.

In the Portuguese Cup Quarter Finals there was mixed news as Scottinho and Porto beat Naval 2-1 while Rod Davies and Sporting lost to Beira-Mar by the same scoreline. West Ham without Willy and James Bradbury beat Bury to set up a fifth round tie with Q.P.R.

[mark wilson27]

damn concussion ive got to stop banging my head against brick walls...lol

[Gennaro08]

With six points seperating the top nine in Serie C1/B, the home match against Grosseto would be a great opportunity for either side to boost their promotion chances, with San Potito remaining unchanged and creating the best opportunities, eight of them falling to Luigi Rana, all eight on target but none finding the back of the net as goalkeeper David Dei performed heroics in the Grosseto goal. He was twice beaten but Luigi Galimberti's free-kick and Stefano Salvi's header both struck the bar. Stefano words were clear, "More of the same and it will come," but whether he was trying to reassure his players or himself was another matter. It is fair to say the second half didn't go to plan with Giacomo Bontempo receiving his marching orders fifteen minutes into the second half for a dubious professional foul and Nathan Coe made his first save ten minutes later, only for Giuseppe Giglio to score the only goal of the game for Grosseto fifteen minutes from time to leave Stefano fuming. Salvatore Valvano face wasn't exactly who Stefano wanted to see and he brought more bad news as on top of Bontempo's suspension, Luigi Galimberti sustained a facial injury and would probably miss next weekend's game.

As Marseille lined up against Galatasary, there was some better news on the injury front as Faisel Achlioui resumed full training after returning from his back strain that kept him out for a month. In France, Conrad Rowden sat on the bench as Helder Postiga scored twice but as did ex-Juventus striker Marcelo Zalayeta for the Turkish side. Meanwhile back in Italy, AC Milan beat Sporting 2-1 with Rod Davies pushed back to left-back. Middle of February, middle of the FA Cup and Portsmouth beat Newcastle through Benjani's goal, with Ty and Jude Alderson starting and Smithaldo coming off the bench, while West Ham would again require a replay to settle their tie, again neither Willy or James Bradbury featured due to fitness. In Serie B Modena hosted Bari at Alberto Braglia Stadium without the suspended Gennaro Melisi for his dismissal against Siena. As before it was the visiting team that claimed the three points with a solitary goal from Daniele Vantaggiato midway through the second half as Mikkel Kristensen and his defence recorded a clean sheet to move into second, two points behind Melisi's Modena.

[Gennaro08]

San Potito travelled to eight placed Pisa without first choice defenders Francesco Cosenza, Luigi Galimberti and Morgan Suric as well as Faisel Achlioui, Vincenzo Marciano and Giacomo Bontempi, which meant a first league start for Alan Fusconi and first appearance of the season for Valentino Picozzi at the heart of the defence. Twenty minutes in and San Potito gifted Pisa the opener and were looking at their fourth defeat in five matches as Nathan Coe gave away a penalty and Alberto Sardo doubled the lead right on half-time. Luigi Rana provided San Potito with a life-line fifteen minutes from time turning in Martino Gravante's cross, only for the two goal lead to be restored eight minutes later to end a thoroughly miserable afternoon.

Midweek Stefano received mixed news from physio Salvatore Valvano, winger Agostino Roma and defenders Morgan Suric and Luigi Galimberti returned to full training but on-loan attacker Alade Adeshina sustained a back strain lifting weights and would be out for a month and goalkeeper Nathan Coe strained a neck injury and would miss one if not two games, providing Messina's Antonio Calabrese with some first team action. In the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League, Scottinho came on as a sub in Porto's 1-1 home draw with Arsenal, Ibson and Jose Antonio Reyes with the goals at Estadio do Dragao. Helder Postiga's run and shot sealed Marseille's passage to the last 16 of the UEFA Cup where they would meet AC Milan, conquerers of Sporting. The Portuguese side took the Italian giants to extra-time but eventually lost out on away goals despite a Deivid hat-trick, with two assists from Rod Davies.

[Gennaro08]

San Potito had the weekend off with the live match on TV pushed back to Monday as they travelled to Foggia. Stefano was forced into a change, Calabrese taking the gloves, with Galimberti and Bontempo starting in central defence and Achlioui at right-back, as Foggia fielded Rijat Shala in central midfield who was on loan at San Potito last season. Salvi and Rana forced early saves out of Vincenzo Marruocco but it was the home side that almost inevitably took the lead and just before half-time throug Lucas Cantoro. Like the first half, Foggia scored late on to kill off the game through Luciano Manzo, as San Potito did not perform well live on television as any hopes of promotion were fading fast with nine points now seperating Catanzaro on top and San Potito in ninth. Shortly after the game Stefano received a phone call confirming that ADO Den Haag's 34-year-old midfielder Alfred Schreuder had agreed terms with I Leoni and would be arriving on a free transfer in the summer. Francesco Cosenza returned to full training as well in midweek after returning from a foot injury, which had kept him out for over a month.

Despite the return of Willy and playing against ten men for nearly an hour West Ham exited the FA Cup in extra-time at the hands of Q.P.R., who would now face Man Utd at Loftus Road while Portsmouth would travel to Anfield to face Liverpool. As the debt reached the half a million pound mark again, the board injected another £65,000 to help the club's running costs. Portsmouth travelled to Villa Park to face Aston Villa, with manager David O'Leary obviously feeling they were short of strikers so Giannis Okkas and Kepa Blanco were signed to bulk up that already overweight department. Defender Terkaldinho joined Leo Allen on the transfer list, with an asking price of £1.8m and demotted to the reserve squad. It was one of the new signings the Cypriot Okkas who scored the only goal although Unai was sent off for Portsmouth who had Jude Alderson starting on the left wing and Ty was a second half sub. That result leaves Pompey in 19th place, five points off Fulham currently occupying the last safety spot and Aston Villa ride high in 8th. In France Marseille thrashed Lille 4-0 with Conrad Rowden sitting on the bench while Diego Della Rosa who has only scored four goals in twenty-five league games started up for Lille who sit in 5th, two points above Marseille in 7th.

[Gennaro08]

The run of games against the top sides were now over as 13th placed Benevento arrived at Sant'Abruzzese but the way San Potito started you would have been forgiven for thinking they were playing a top side. Having had thirty shots in the previous five matches and only scoring twice, it could only have been Luigi Rana who opened the scoring, although Cammarota brought a save from Davide Bacci when one-on-one and Stefano Salvi hit the crossbar before the young striker's angled drive found the corner of the net. Achlioui picked up a knock and was replaced at right-back by Morgan Suric. In typical San Potito style the self-destruct button was never far away and with five minutes left captain Luigi Galimberti felt it time to try and knick the ball from the striker but gave a penalty away in doing so, however Antonio Calabrese was kinda fond of his clean sheet and duly saved the penalty. A minute later substitute Marco Foti had the ball in the net but it was corectly ruled out for offside as he had strayed before Gravante's pass but the hosts recorded a much needed victory.

The £31m signing Fernando Torres put Arsenal ahead on the night at the Emirates Stadium and on aggregate but Scottinho hit back fifteen minutes later for Porto and second half goals from Cesar Delgado and two from Lucho Gonzalez sent the Portuguese league leaders through to the Quarter Finals. AC Milan arrived at Stade Velodrome ten points clear in Serie A and wasted no time in demonstrating their ability, Clarence Seedorf's goal timed at just 14 seconds. Marseille equalised through who else but Helder Postiga, his 21st goal of the season in 37 games but Gennaro Gattuso's goal gave AC the advantage for the second leg and two away goals. Conrad Rowden was again not included in the squad.

[Gennaro08]

On the eve of the home match with Acireale, Luigi Rana collapsed in training sprinting, clutching his hamstring and Salvatore Valvano reported that he had pulled his hamstring and could well by back in early April. That evening Stefano watched as Cristian Toma bagged four and Francesco Roberto two in the U20's 7-1 victory over Acireale's U20's. The defence was back to full strength with Nathan Coe returning in goal, Morgan Suric at right-back and Francesco Cosenza reforming his partnership with captain Luigi Galimberti. Off the back of his four goals Cristian Toma led the line and Stefano was celebrating after five minutes as Steeve Gustan headed in Frank de Haan's cross. Eight minutes into his return and Morgan Suric required treatment and Francesco Cosenza soon followed as did Cristian Toma's first and second league goals. Both Cosenza and Suric were withdrawn at the break for Achlioui and Fusconi. With twenty minutes to go the tiring Cristian Toma was substituted allowing the youngster to receive a standing ovation from the 3,412 strong crowd, which also were treated to a fourth in injury-time against the now nine men of Acireale, who lost two to injury having made all their changes, Stefano Salvi with the goal. Fortunately despite the knocks picked up by the two defenders and de Haan none of them sustained lasting damage.

It was the return of the Serie C Cup and the first leg, away to Pisa, who Stefano's men hadn't beaten in either of the league matches earlier in the season. Giacommo Bontempo, Danilo Massaro, Martino Gravante and Agostino Roma were the four changes from the weekend victory but it was captain Galimberti who allowed Sardo to get free and header home a free-kick unchallenged. After a disappointing first half, it took three minutes to equalise through Salvi and sub Francesco Roberto almost stole a winner late on but a 1-1 draw away in the first leg was deemed a good result by Stefano. In midweek Marseille bowed out of the UEFA Cup with Clarence Seedorf scoring again midway through the second half to seal the win 3-1 on aggregate, again no place in the squad for Conrad Rowden.

[Gennaro08]

Forgot to include this a couple of posts back.

February 2007 Review:

Lanciano 2 - Zerbini (30, 79 pen)

San Potito 3 - Massaro (20) Avolio (28) Gustan (59)

Man of the Match: Rana (Str)

San Potito 0

Grosseto 1 - Giglio (74)

Action: Bontempo (59 s/o)

Man of the Match: Dei (Grosseto - GK)

Att: 2,245

Pisa 3 - Boudianski (18 pen) Sardo (45) Ragatzu (82)

San Potito 1 - Rana (74)

Man of the Match: Lagnese (Pisa - CB)

Foggia 2 - Cantoro (41) Manzo (88)

San Potito 0

Man of the Match: Mignani (Foggia - CB)

League Position: 9th

[Gennaro08]

San Potito travelled to bottom of the table Juve Stabia, who played in yellow, which meant the green kit was given another outing. Having recovered from losing five out of six, now unbeaten in three, Stefano saw 'banana skin' written all over this match, espcially as Giuseppe Raffaele fielded a 343 formation. Despite the scoreline, San Potito struggled here today, a defensive error allowed Toma in to open the scoring but just before half-time, de Haan dallied on the ball and Maah's cross was turned in by Perugini to level. Steeve Gustan restored the lead with eighteen minutes left with a stunning strike from 25 yards, that flew into the top corner. Crisitan Toma made it four in three, sixteen in his last ten games in all competitions, to make it 3-1 and kill off the game when his shot took a slight deflected wrong footing Pier Graziano Gori but in injury time Nathan Coe pulled up, which was later confirmed as a torn calf muscle, Salvatore Valvano looking to get the big Aussie keeper back fit for the start of next season.

Having beaten Auxerre 2-0 in the 10th round, with Conrad Rowden grabbing the second and his second of the season in injury time, he was an unused sub in Marseille's penalty shootout victory away to Orleans in the 11th round of the French Cup, while Lille travelled to Poissy, having beaten Niort 3-2 previously. Diego Della Rosa opened the scoring in a game that featured three injuries with his sixth of the season that Lille won in extra-time. In Portugal, Porto beat struggling Belenenses, where Scottinho was dropped to the bench in the Semi Final of the Portuguese Cup setting up a final against Maritimo, while in the UEFA Champions League they face Premiership league leaders Chelsea in the Quarter Finals. In the English FA Cup Quarter Finals Portsmouth crashed out 4-0 to Liverpool at Anfield without registering a shot at or anywhere near Jose Manuel Reina's goal, with Ty an early sub for the injured Andy O'Brien.

[Gennaro08]

Stefano meanwhile made the one change of Calabrese for the injured Coe in goal for the return leg at home to Pisa in the Serie C Cup, with the first half remaining goalless despite Salvi and Toma peppering Benussi's goal. Benussi made a fantastic double save midway through the second half from Salvi and sensationally the ex-Venezia MOM goalkeeper even managed to rise highest from an injury time corner to header just wide of Calabrese's goal and from the goal kick Roberto Rosetti blew the full-time whistle and San Potito progressed through to the Quarter Finals on away goals. In the drew that followed the following day, San Potito were the first team drawn out setting up a home tie in the first leg against fellow Serie C1/B side Massese, who were responsible for knocking Stefano's side out of the competition last season, albeit at an earlier round, with a league match sandwiched in between the two.

Stefano and San Potito had the weekend off for European Championship Qualifiers, before entering the final of six league matches and the Quarter Finals of the Serie C Cup, which would probably have to take a bit of a back seat in favour of the push for a Play-Off spot. Rod Davies won his sixth cap for France U21 at left-back in the 3-1 defeat to Malta and Scottinho his 8th for Portugal U21 in the 2-1 won over Azerbaijan. Ty was called up to the England U21 squad but did not take part. To the full squads and it was cap number ten and goal number fifteen conceded for Hick in the 1-1 away drew with Georgia that leaves North Ireland one from bottom in Group 3, while the Republic of Ireland are fourth having drawn 1-1 in the Ukraine where Jude Alderson made his third appearance off the bench. Lazio's Sam Cox was nursing a thigh strain and West Ham's Willy a fractured cheekbone that meant neither could add to there two and one caps respectively. Conrad Rowden was again in the squad but not in the playing squad in Norway's 1-1 away drew with Bosnia that leaves them fourth in Group 4. Wales recorded an empthatic 5-1 win over Armenia at the Millenium Stadium in James Bradbury's seventh game that saw the West Ham youngster dismissed midway through the second half. France top Group 5 with Wales in second, a point ahead of Russia who have a game in hand. Scotland were destroyed 5-0 at Stade Maurice Dufrasne in Liege by Belgium with Terkaldinho at centre-back for his eleventh cap and recalled to Aston Villa's first team squad and removed from the transfer list but the national team are bottom of Group 6 with two points. Denmark drew 0-0 at home to Slovakia with Mikkel Kristensen and Harleqin again in the squad but not active on the day, the Danes fifth in Group 7.

Midweek there was a set of international friendlies for the non-European countries, Tobes won his 11th cap for Australia, coming on as a late sub in the 3-0 defeat away to Cameroon. [HD] won his second cap for Sint Maarten in the 1-0 away defeat to Paraguay. South Africa visited the Olimpico Regional in Cascavel, if only for a tour, instead they were comprehensively beaten 5-2 by Brazil, Pan Panpardus at least won his 21st in centre midfield grappling with the likes of Ronaldinho and Juninho Pernambucano. 20-year-old attacking midfielder Børge Eian endured another frustrating international duty with a trip to the Turks and Caicos Islands without being named in the playing squad on the day. It is fair to say that the home leg against Chelsea didn't exactly go to plan in respects of the scoreline, the game was even enough but while Porto's shooting was off, Cristiano Lucarelli's wasn't as the big Italian scored three of Chelsea's five without reply, Scottinho was a late sub. Following Marseille's 1-0 defeat to Nantes, the 10th placed Le Championnat side parted company with Jean Fernandez and his lone striker policy, which might provide Norwegian Conrad Rowden with some more game time under new management when appointed.

[Gennaro08]

March 2007 Review:

San Potito 1 - Rana

Benevento 0

Man of the Match: Calabrese (GK)

Att:

San Potito 4 - Gustan (5) Toma (26, 40) Salvi (90)

Acireale 0

Man of the Match: Gustan (LM)

Att: 3,412

Serie C Cup Second Round First Leg

Pisa 1 - Sardo (20)

San Potito 1 - Salvi (48)

Man of the Match: Galimberti (CB)

Juve Stabia 1 - Perugini (45)

San Potito 3 - Toma (12, 79) Gustan (73)

Action: Coe (90 inj)

Man of the Match: Rodio (CM)

Serie C Cup Second Round Second Leg

San Potito 0

Pisa 0

Man of the Match: Benussi (Pisa - GK)

Att: 1,028

League Position: 5th

[Gennaro08]

So began April and the final push, which started at home to Pistoiese, who until recently had been struggling and fighting relegation but now had mounted a late push for the playoffs and were the form team at the moment in Serie C1/B. The opening stages of the game revolved solely around left-winger and captain (in the absence of Luigi Galimberti) Steeve Gustan, giving away fouls in dangerous positions, getting booked and having the best shooting chances for San Potito but it was Cristian Toma with his fifth league goal whom opened the scoring with a bicycle kick from Faisel Achlioui's free-kick. It was the returning on-loan substitute Alade Adeshina who secured the victory beating the otherwise impressive Gabriele Bartoletti at his near post with ten minutes left and despite the visitors putting significant pressure on on-loan MOM goalkeeper Antonio Calabrese, San Potito recorded their fourth straight league win, although midfielder Andrea Cammarota sustained bruised ribs, which would probably rule him out of all three games against Massese. After the game coach and club favourite Jörg Stiel halved his wages in favour of a new two year deal with the club, which was nice.

On the eve of the home leg with Massese, Francesco Cosenza suffered a damaged heel in training and joined his defensive partner Luigi Galimberti and Andrea Cammarota in in all likelihood missing the three matches against the fourth placed side while Cristian Toma also took a well earned rest. In the opening exchanges San Potito lay siege to Massimiliano Villa's goal, de Haan and Gravante in particular and it was the Dutchman that made the break through shooting on the turn just before half-time. His compatriot John Goossens, an unused substitute mostly of late doubled the lead when he hit a first time shot from the edge of the area, catching Villa slightly by surprise. 2-0 is great result, gives us something to defend but also means the first teamers will have to play again to defend that lead, Stefano thought.

In the second leg of the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final tie at Stamford Bridge there was no miracle. Scottinho as he did in the first leg came on with about fifteen minutes to play but the match ended goalless and Chelsea join fellow English club Liverpool in the semi finals along with Juventus and Schalke victors of Manchester United. The following weekend Porto retained the Portuguse title, making it four titles in five years with a 2-0 home victory of Academica with three games left to play, Scottinho again was a late sub, a familiar situation of late. Rod Davies and Sporting currently sit in third place, having struggled at the start of the season.

[Gennaro08]

Match number two against Massese, the league match was a tight affair, Frank de Haan gave San Potito the lead with his ninth of the season heading in Steeve Gustan's cross. Nicolo Zanetti cancelled out the Dutchman's goal heading in a cross after loosing his marker Morgan Suric. Striker Cristian Toma was withdrawn at half-time after complaining of a sore wrist, Salvatore Valvano, a busy man of late ruled the striker out of the second leg and the next league match. There was further bad news in the week when midfielder Gianmarco Rodio strained knee ligaments in training and would miss the rest of the season.

Marseille lost 4-2 on penalties to Lyon in the Quarter Finals of the French Cup after drawing 1-1 after normal and extra time, Helder Postiga the goalscorer as per usual. Conrad Rowden played no part in proceedings. Bordeaux ensured that all interest in the competition died beating Diego Della Rosa and Lille in extra-time with a goal from Marouane Chamakh (fans of Flipsix3 story will remember that name) six minutes from the end, but in truth they should have wrapped the game up in normal time with the number of chances they created but Hans Vonk stood strong in the Lille goal.

San Potito took the field for the third match, the away leg against Massese carrying a two goal lead and more importantly without giving up any away goals without goalkeeper Nathan Coe, defenders Francesco Cosenza and Luigi Galimberti, midfielders Gianmarco Rodio and Andrea Cammarota and strikers Luigi Rana and Cristian Toma. That said the eleven that took to the field performed brilliantly all game, taking the lead early on through Steeve Gustan after being unselfishly played in by Alade Adeshina. Steeve Gustan had a golden opportunity to make it two and four to nil on aggregate when he was tripped in the penalty area but his penalty was saved by Villa. Instead Apicella made it three to one on aggregate beating Calabrese at his near post after a large hole appeared in the centre of the defence. Just before half-time the three goal aggregate advantage was restored through Agostino Roma. After good work from goalkeeper Antonio Calabrese down the right wing, Gravante's cross was met by the head of Adeshina, parried by Villa and tapped in at the far post by the left-winger, securing San Potito's place in the semi-finals along with Serie C1/B leaders Catanzaro, fifth placed Grosseto and Padova fourth placed in Serie C1/A. There was no rallying from Massese and they didn't manage to add to their two shots from the first-half. The draw for the Semi-Finals was made at lunchtime the following day and San Potito were second out, the first leg away to Grosseto, another Serie C1/B.

[Gennaro08]

Stefano travelled with the youth team to Sassari to witness a 3-0 victory over Sassari Torres, which clinched the Italian Under 20's Group 4 title, with three games to play. This was their second title in two years after winning the Group 7 title last season. The focus then switched to the first team, currently lying second in the division with three points seperating them and eigth placed sambenedettese and only four games remaining, the first of which was at home to Sassari Torres. "Great comeback lads, absolutely amazing, shows the true value of never giving up and fighting to the last...but next time make sure we don't have to." Minetti put the visitors ahead early after Fantini had got in behind the defence down the San Potito right and the game drifted until Stefano made a triple change with fifteen minutes to go switching to a 3233 formation and it was one of those subs Francesco Roberto who fired the equaliser from twenty yards for his first of the season with eight minutes left and loanee Alade Adeshina grabbed the winner three minutes into injury time heading in the returning Andrea Cammarota's free-kick.

But while San Potito recorded a valuable and dramatic victory, Portsmouth lost at home to Arsenal, losing their Premiership status in the process. Aston Villa are riding high in sixth and look like earning a European place again. AFC Wimbledon's latest contract offers for Steve al-Jazeera and Dave Solomon were rejected, with the latter still being courted by Tottenham Hotspur. Off the back of their title win Scottinho and Porto signed up for another three years together with a contract worth £6,500 a week for the 19-year-old Portuguse U21 international.

[Gennaro08]

The Semi Final first leg came around very quickly and San Potito welcomed back Francesco Cosenza and Luigi Galimberti but only to the bench, whereas Luigi Rana returned to the starting line-up. Both were about half an hours football to aid their recovery and Rana an hour and there isn't much more to say really, the game ended goalless with very little action. In the other game Catanzaro beat Padova by one goal to nil in the home leg, which sets up both games nicely for the second leg.

On the day that Catanzaro secured the league title and thus automatic promotion from Serie C1/B to Serie B, San Potito turned in a fantastic performance at home to lowly Chieti with Luigi Rana and Francesco Cosenza scoring on their league returns. Stefano Salvi made it three just after home time before Francesco Roberto scored his second in his last two league matches. With two league matches left to play San Potito had opened a four point on third and a six point gap on sixth placed Sambenedettese, virtually assuring themselves of a play-off spot.

[Gennaro08]

San Potito booked their place in the Serie C Cup final against newly crowned champions Catanzaro with a 2-0 win over Grosseto in front of a record attendance of 5,667 at Sant'Abruzzese. Grosseto didn't manage a shot on target all game with Cosenza and Galimberti reunited at centre-back and Suric moved to the right. Steeve Gustan opened the scoring beating David Dei at his near post and MOM Cosenza struck the second from the penalty spot after Salvi was hauled down with twenty minutes left to play. With a two-legged final to play and a two-legged play-off semi final and then hopefully a two-legged final, Stefano and San Potito's season was headed into May, maybe even June.

The last home match of the league campaign proper saw Lucchese come to town and San Potito got off to an awful start conceding after only five minutes. The triple substitution was made just after the hour mark but to no avail to the scoreline, goal number seven conceded at home in the league meant defeat number four at home in the league in seventeen matches. The defeat came at a bigger cost as well, on loan midfielder Stefano Salvi strained a neck muscle and would miss the final league match and potentially the first (away) leg of the Serie C Cup Final against Catanzaro and the first leg of the playoff semi-final depending on when that would be as it is scheduled to clash with the Serie C Cup.

San Potito were honoured twice in the April Goal of the Month competition, Cristian Toma's bicycle kick at the start of the month against Pistoiese coming in second but it was Francesco Roberto's equaliser against Sassari Torres, the curling effort from twenty yards that won the award.

[Gennaro08]

April 2007 Review:

San Potito 2 - Toma (35) Adeshina (82)

Pistoiese 0

Man of the Match: Calabrese (GK)

Att: 4,618

Serie C Cup Quarter Finals First Leg

San Potito 2 - de Haan (40) Goossens (66)

Massese 0

Man of the Match: Rodio (CM)

Att: 2,762

Massese 1 - Zanetti (34)

San Potito 1 - de Haan (13)

Action: Toma (45 inj) de Haan (89 inj)

Man of the Match: Rodio (CM)

Serie C Cup Quarter Finals Second Leg

Massese 1 - Apicella (30)

San Potito 2 - Gustan (10) Roma (44)

Action: Gustan (18 m/pen)

Man of the Match: Villa (Massese - GK)

San Potito 2 - Roberto (82) Adeshina (90)

Sassari Torres 1 - Minetti (14)

Man of the Match: Fantini (Sassari Torres - LW)

Att: 4,833

Serie C Cup Semi Final First Leg

Grosseto 0

San Potito 0

Man of the Match: Gomma (Grosseto - CM)

San Potito 4 - Rana (14) Cosenza (37) Salvi (48) Roberto (73)

Chieti 0

Man of the Match: Gustan (LM)

Att: 4,819

Serie C Cup Semi Final Second Leg

San Potito 2 - Gustan (47) Cosenza (72 pen)

Grosseto 0

Man of the Match: Cosenza (CB)

Att: 5,667

San Potito 0

Lucchese 1 - Tentaroni (5)

Man of the Match: Cosenza (CB)

Att: 5,980

League Position: 2nd

[mark wilson27]

keep up the good work, how many games you got left

[Gennaro08]

Last league game of the season coming up Mark.

Friday evening San Potito's youth team ended the season in style with a 4-0 home win over Frosinone, topping the table from Catanzaro by ten points, conceding only nineteen goals in thirty-four league games and scoring seventy-four in the process. The goals coming from Francecso Roberto, Alessandro Ciulli and two from Marco Foti, which takes his tally to fifteen in seventeen starts whilst now first-teamer Cristian Toma bagged nineteen in twenty-four starts. The first team travelled to fourth placed Frosinone with a playoff spot secured despite their first defeat in fourteen matches in all competitions last time out against Lucchese. The other three spots were still up for grabs with six teams competing for them. Pisa currently occupied fifth spot, San Potito potential opponents should they retain second place but they visited seventh placed Grosseto who could replace them giving a winning margin of two or more, surfice to say the playoff and playout picture is a complicated affair and will change drastically throughout the following ninety minutes. "There's justification for you," assistant manager Tiziano Cunico said to Stefano as Luigi Rana found the back of the net, the striking shirt was a topic of debate and deliberation before the match with Cristian Toma back fit having given way after performing very well in Rana's absence at first - still with me. Anyway two minutes into injury time at the end of the first half, Luigi Galimberti gave chase valiantly only to tug at Ciro Ginestra's shirt, earning himself an instant dismissal and Ginestra dusted himself off to beat Calabrese. At half-time Martino Gravante gave way for Faisel Achlioui who went right-back and Morgan Suric moved across the centre. Despite a thoroughly good second half performance a man light, San Potito and Antonio Calabrese were beaten, Salvatore Mastronunzio initial effort cannoned off the crossbar but he reacted quickest to the rebound and Frosinone didn't look back adding a further three goals in the remaining six goals minutes to humilate Stefano and San Potito.

Modena drew 0-0 away to Genoa to secure to secure promotion from Serie B to Serie A, which assures Gennaro Melisi of top-flight football but the co-ownership deal between Modena and AS Roma ends in the summer, which will go to a blind auction unless an agreement in reached before then. Mikkel Kristensen and Bari finished fourth in Serie B and enter the Play offs along with Lecce, Napoli and Atalanta. Porto beat Maritimo 4-0 to add the Portuguese Cup to the title, with Scottinho sitting firmly on the bench through out the match. Although the 19-year-old Portuguese U21 international had good company in Vitor Baia, Benni McCarthy, Ricardo Quaresma, Gabriel Paletta, Helder Barbosa and Cesar Delgado.

San Potito received confirmation from the Italian FA of their Play off dates, away to Pisa the midweek in between the Serie C Cup Final games and the second leg the midweek after, four games in twelve days, Stefano Salvi recovered from his neck injury, only to damage his heel in training making it unlikely he will feature in the four remaining games, along with Faisel Achlioui who sprained a wrist in training. Scout Urbain Haesaert announced that he will retiring at the end of the season, We have a lot to thank him for, Stefano thought and he was right, the Belgium found the likes of Goossens, de Haan, Coe and Suric.

[Gennaro08]

San Potito travelled to impressive 30,000 all seater Nicola Ceravolo stadium, which was near capacity - 25,882, by far the biggest attendance most, if not all of the players had previously played in front of and certainly the biggest in San Potito history. Stefano Farina was the referee and had no hesitation in awarding the hosts, Catanzaro a penalty after 13 minutes of the Serie C Cup Final when the self-destruct button was pressed and Andrea Cammarota gave away yet another needless penalty pushing Mattioli when jumping for a header after Coe had punched clear a cross. Left-back and set-piece specialist Vincenzo Moretti stepped up and buried his sixth goal of the season. The second didn't take long in arrving Corona heading in unmarked at the near post as the San Potito defence was all over the place. Catanzaro seemed to ease off after that, much to the relief of the travelling San Potito contingent who were having flashbacks of the 6-2 defeat at the start of the season on this ground. Substitute Cristian Toma came closest for San Potito in the second half heading against the bar with MOM goalkeeper Emanuele Belardi beaten.

Stefano was forced into two changes with Luigi Galimberto suspended and John Goossens away on international duty with Holland U19, which meant Vincenzo Marciano coming in at right-back and Morgan Suric switching to the centre. Pisa almost took the lead inside a minute of the Play off Semi Final First Leg at Arena Garbinaldi - Romeo Anconetani.

"Remind me again why I do this job?" Stefano posed after a rollercoaster ride of a game. The hosts had to wait until the fourth minute to take the lead through Simone Inzaghi, twice capped by Italy. Inzaghi scored his second after twenty minutes, which was Pisa third of the game as San Potito were looking at their fourth consecutive defeat but I Leoni weren't ready to roll over and die just yet. Three minutes later Alade Adeshina recevied a pass from Luigi Rana and drove his shot under the body of Francesco Benussi and six minutes later he turned provider heading Rana's deep cross back across the face of goal for Steeve Gustan to nod in for his tenth of the season. On the hour mark Gustan turned provider releasing Rana who outsprinted the defence before sidefooting passed Benussi to level the scores and give San Potito three away goals. With three minutes left Suric cleared a corner and substitute Francesco Roberto raced down field before holding up the ball for support. A crossfield ball later and fellow sub Agostino Roma got to the byline and crossed to the back post for Adeshina to come full circle and finish the scoring.

[Gennaro08]

With Coe, Achlioui, Salvi and Rodio injured and Goossens on international duty, the last thing Stefano needed was another injury against Catanzaro in the Second Leg of the Serie C Cup Final, yet that's exactly what happened to Gaetano Avolio after only fourteen minutes, replaced by Vincenzo Marciano. Although one could argue that an early goal was exactly what they didn't need, yet that happened as well Mattioli sliding his shot under Calabrese. Luigi Rana gave San Potito hope with his 15th goal of the season just seconds before Stefano Farina blew for half-time heading in Marciano's cross. With the rules dictating that away goals are used after ninety minutes, San Potito needed to win the game in normal time rather than merely drawing, which meant they needed to find three goals in the second half without conceding. Rana reduced that to two when he took down Roma's cross and found the net with a shot on the turn. Catanzaro levelled the game on the night with twenty minutes left when Corona let fly from twenty yards with Calabrese only able to get a fingertip to it, much to the annoyance of the majority of the 9,275 strong crowd.

Runners-Up in the Serie C Cup, Stefano was determined that they wouldn't be runners-up again. Lanciano awaited the winners in the two-legged Play off Final in early June as they beat Frosinone 3-2 on aggregate. Pisa came out attacking at the start but it was Rana who went closest in the first half, with Dessena heading his shot off the line. Ten minutes into the second half and Rana delivered with a rasping shot from the edge of the area finding the corner of the net. The goal all but killed off Pisa as San Potito stood to go through should the tie be drawn, on virtue of having the higher league placing, thus they needed three goals. Christian Caprioli got one of the three with a minute to go but in the 35 degrees temperature at Sant'Abruzzese in front of 9,277 (capacity 9,300) it was San Potito that progressed to the Final of Serie C1/B Play off Final with a 5-4 aggregate win.

[Moonshine]

Woopeee, Luna rocks. But why can't he come to Europe...

Any chance of one of those stats screens soon?

KUTGW with Sam Potato!

[Gennaro08]

I am slightly ahead in terms of game time to posting time Moonshine. However, at the end of the European season screenshots were taken and player profiles done, so it should be with you in a few posts time. You'll have to wait until after the Serie C1/B Playoff Final for them.

[Guest]

Great sory and love the idea of a story with people from the site added. Kicking myself for not coming on this site again earlier, but my old pc kept crashing when I played fm06, thankfully new pc works fine and can play 07. Also being a saints fan I wish all the players luck apart from those at Portsmouth, but then they all seem to be to good to play, for them so fingers crossed they'll get summer moves.

[Panpardus]

Im waiting for the World Cup 2010 so Pan can get best player while lifting the Trophy as captain on his home soil

[Gennaro08]

Many Thanks for the kind word Funkybradley07 and yeah Panpardus I'm waiting for a major tournament as well, the 2008 European Championships will be the next one but the few non-Europeans miss out. There is the African Cup of Nations in January 2008 for yourself and Moonshine (Luna). The Olympics in 2008 and I have just played the 2007 Asian Cup featuring Australia and Tobes to report upon.

Two even games against them in the league, your bog standard 442. Strong attacking line with Zerbini but luckily Di Giacomo is injured. Two good wingers. Left-back is injured and the replacement is a weak point. We got to get at him in the first leg. Is it home or away, I forgot, ah I'm driving myself crazy here. Stefano allowed himself to relax and watch the Italy match, remarking that that Hick fellow making his 11th cap for Northern Ireland looks a good goalkeeper. Italy ran out 4-0 winners with goals from Pirlo, Gilardino, Di Vaio and Toni and followed that up with a 3-1 victory at Lansdowne Road despite having Federico Balzaretti sent off early on, Stefano Fiore scored twice and Andrea Caracciolo scored in injury time on his debut off the bench, Willo Flood had given Ireland the lead. Sam Cox came off the bench for his third cap whereas despite being in the squad neither Jude Alderson nor Willy stepped foot on the pitch for either the Italy game or the 0-0 away draw to Georgia four days earlier. Conrad Rowden sat on the bench in Norway's 3-1 away defeat to Estonia. Terkaldinho moved to thirteen caps playing in central defence in the 1-1 home draw with Lithuania and the 2-1 away defeat to Romania. Mikkel Kristensen and Harleqin again were called up to the Danish full squad but were not included in either matchday squads, a 2-2 home draw with Holland and a 2-0 away win over Andorra. South Africa stuttered to a 1-1 home draw against ten men Sudan with Pan Panpardus winning his 22nd cap. Previously Scottinho won his 9th cap for the Portuguese U21's in the 0-0 draw with Ukraine.

It was the away match first and San Potito made a nervy start with Lanciano attacking from the off. They were rewarded twenty minutes in when Galimberti misread a long ball forward allowing Rey in behind, who unselfishly squared the ball for Zerbini to tap in. Luigi Rana had numerous chances throughout the game but Roberto Maurantonio was equal to him on every occasion except for when a combination of Lorenzo De Silvestri forgetting which side he was on loan to and Drazen Bolic was slow to react. Rana capitalised and rounded the keeper to equalise around the hour mark. It was cagey from then one in and it ended 1-1 setting it up nicely for the return leg. Stefano Salvi suffered a reoccurance of his heel injury ruling him out of the second leg.

[Gennaro08]

It was crunch time, Sunday the 10th of June 2007, a home match against Lanciano, the scores tied at 1-1 after the away leg. Calabrese in goal, Achlioui, Cosenza, Galimberti and Suric in defence, Goossens, Gustan, de Haan, Cammarota and Adeshina in midfield with Rana up front.

It was Rana that had the first chance hitting Goossens cross on the volley but wide. Minutes later Goossens tested Maurantonio with a fierce drive that he parried clear and then a shot that curled wide. Good play down the left saw Achlioui's cross taken down by Adeshina and laid off to Gustan but he fired over. San Potito's rhythm was interupted as Morgan Suric went down and the signal to the bench was that he couldn't continue so Vincenzo Marciano replaced him at right-back. Goossens, Cammarota and Gustan all forced Maurantonio into saves just before half-time. Finally the breakthrough came a minute before half-time much to the relief as much as the delight of the 9,278 crowd, Alade Adeshina's shot from the edge of the area was parried and Steeve Gustan was the quickest to react and poked the ball home. A minute later the lead was doubled as Gustan slipped the ball outside to Goossens who drove into the penalty area before shooting low and hard across the keeper into the far corner. Half-time and San Potito had been all over Lanciano in the first half who hadn't managed a shot.

Rana went on one final run and shot, which was well wide before being withdrawn for Francesco Roberto on the hour mark after picking up a knock. Lanciano finally got their first shot with fifteen minutes left after breaking from a corner but Makriev's shot hit the side netting. Gianmarco Rodio was introduced with fifteen minutes to go to stiffen up the midfield and to allow the midfielder a little game time in the Final. Goossens exploited the space down the flanks in the closing minutes to show the San Potito what they would be missing next season when he heads off to Serie A with Fiorentina but I Leoni will only be one division lower as Luciano Gueli called time on proceedings and a 3-1 aggregate victory.

At the final whistle the San Potito players looked around in astonishment, Stefano stood motionless in the technical area, hands interlocked behind his head, the crowd cheering in delight. The players performed a lap of honour or five soaking in the amazing atmosphere and the achievement of winning promotion to Serie B with back-to-back promotions. The board were quick to release a statement to the waiting press announcing that they were extremely pleased that the team had secured promoton and wanting to express their gratitude to Stefano for delivering the unthinkable. The journalist turned to Stefano, "Congratulations on securing promotion to Serie B, but do you think your current squad is capable of playing at a higher level?"

"Thank you, firstly I would like to put on record that the board has invested significant money over the past season to ensure this club is still running and now it has paid off with the returns over the past three months and promotion. To answer your question though, yes I believe they are, had we got off to a better start or not had such periods of significant injuries to major and numerous players I think we could have pushed Catanzaro to the title."

"But will you be investing in new players?

"As in any close season we will be looking to bring in some new faces that take us to the next level, like we did last summer, obviously we have Buskermolen, Schreuder and Di Pasquale to come in and will lose Goossens to Fiorentina, Salvi, Adeshina and Calabrese as their loans expire but if the right people are available at the right price, both in terms of transfer fee and wages then we will make a move for them."

"Thank you for speaking to us, enjoy the celebrations."

[Gennaro08]

May & June 2007 Review:

Frosinone 5 - Ginestra (45 pen) Mastronunzio (77, 84, 90) Maggiolini (90)

San Potito 1 - Rana (12)

Action: Galimberti (s/o 45)

Man of the Match: Mastronunzio (Frosinone - Str)

End of Season League Position: 3rd

Serie C Cup Final First Leg

Catanzaro 2 - Moretti (13 pen) Corona (20)

San Potito 0

Man of the Match: Belardi (Catanzaro - GK)

Serie C1/B Play Off Semi Final First Leg

Pisa 3 - Inzaghi (5, 20) Boudianski (9)

San Potito 4 - Adeshina (23, 87) Gustan (29) Rana (59)

Man of the Match: Adeshina (RM)

Serie C Cup Final Second Leg

San Potito 2 - Rana (45, 55)

Catanzaro 2 - Mattioli (6) Corona (73)

Action: Avolio (14 inj)

Man of the Match: Corona (Catanzaro - Str)

Att: 9,275

Serie C1/B Play Off Semi Final Second Leg

San Potito 1 - Rana (54)

Pisa 1 - Caprioli (89)

Man of the Match: Abate (Pisa - RM)

Att: 9,277

Serie C1/B Play Off Final First Leg

Lanciano 1 - Zerbini (18)

San Potito 1 - Rana (58)

Man of the Match: Zerbini (Lanciano - Str)

Serie C1/B Play Off Final Second Leg

San Potito 2 - Gustan (44) Goossens (45)

Lanciano 0

Action: Suric (33 inj)

Man of the Match: Adeshina (RM)

Att: 9,278

Italian Serie C1/B<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">

| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts |

| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 1st | C | Catanzaro | | 34 | 21 | 7 | 6 | 78 | 36 | +42 | 70 |

| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 2nd | | Frosinone | | 34 | 17 | 6 | 11 | 54 | 46 | +8 | 57 |

| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 3rd | P | San Potito | | 34 | 17 | 6 | 11 | 55 | 37 | +18 | 57 |

| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 4th | | Pisa | | 34 | 16 | 8 | 10 | 58 | 40 | +18 | 56 |

| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 5th | | Lanciano | | 34 | 16 | 7 | 11 | 51 | 39 | +12 | 55 |

| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 6th | | Massese | | 34 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 47 | 32 | +15 | 53 |

| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 7th | | Sambenedettese | | 34 | 15 | 7 | 12 | 56 | 51 | +5 | 52 |

| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 8th | | Grosseto | | 34 | 14 | 8 | 12 | 51 | 41 | +10 | 50 |

| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 9th | | Sangiovannese | | 34 | 14 | 7 | 13 | 50 | 53 | -3 | 49 |

| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 10th | | Lucchese | | 34 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 44 | 49 | -5 | 46 |

| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 11th | | Sassari Torres | | 34 | 13 | 6 | 15 | 42 | 45 | -3 | 45 |

| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 12th | | Pistoiese | | 34 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 42 | 37 | +5 | 45 |

| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 13th | | Acireale | | 34 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 36 | 43 | -7 | 44 |

| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 14th | | Benevento | | 34 | 13 | 5 | 16 | 36 | 50 | -14 | 44 |

| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 15th | | Real Marcianise | | 34 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 32 | 38 | -6 | 41 |

| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 16th | R | Foggia | | 34 | 9 | 10 | 15 | 37 | 42 | -5 | 37 |

| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 17th | R | Chieti | | 34 | 9 | 4 | 21 | 40 | 71 | -31 | 31 |

| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 18th | R | Juve Stabia | | 34 | 3 | 7 | 24 | 27 | 86 | -59 | 16 |

| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|</pre>

[Gennaro08]

Cheers Terk for that.

The following day a fans' spokesperson announced that Stefano Melisi was undoubtedly one of the best managers around and are desperately hoping that he stays with the club for years to come. Stefano was trawling through the newspapers, both the local and national press were full of praise for the accomplishment, even if the fans' spokesperson had probably over-estimated his managerial ability. On the flip side of the coin, Argentinian midfielder Lucas Correa slammed his manager Francesco Monaco for his tactics and team-talks during the second leg of the Play off Final, stating he misjudged the situation.

All the players were immediately given holiday leave for the summer to rest and recuperate for two weeks, ready for the new season, which will kick off in mid August, although the Coppa Italia qualifying round will be early August and friendlies to start in about four weeks (mid-July). Unfortunately for Morgan Suric, who was taken off early against Lanciano, he would spend the summer nursing a foot injury. The money men reported that seven players wages were increased by 10% each in line with contract bonuses of achieving promotion, a far away dream for Stefano and probably player when signed though.

The Awards Dinner followed Monday night with Stefano coming in second behind Vincenzo Guerini of Catanzaro, treble winners, Serie C1/B, the Serie C Cup and the Serie C Super Cup beating Serie C1/A winners Triestina on away goals after drawing 4-4 on aggregate, Monaco of Lanciano came in third. Francesco Cosenza and Gianmarco Rodio were selected in the Serie C1/B Team of the Year, Catanzaro providing six.

On the same night as San Potito's historic one, Bari beat Napoli 3-1 at home in the Serie B Play off Semi Final First Leg and three days later booked their place in the Final despite a 2-1 defeat, to win 4-3 on aggregate. Lecce beat Atalanta in the other Semi Final by the virtue of finishing higher in the league after a 2-2 draw. Lecce finished third, Bari fourth should it come to that in the two-legged Final.

The First Leg, with Bari at home was drawn 1-1 with Mikkel Kristensen standing out for the hosts. The Danish international was again impressive in the return leg but it was Croatian U21 international who was the hero scoring the only goal of the game with seven minutes left clinching promotion to Serie A for Bari meaning that the top flight would have four "Created" players rostered for next season.

Centre midfielder number three was signed, Lecce's Davide Giorgino for £20,000, the 22-year-old leaving his home club after being deemed surplus to requirements by manager Mauro Sandreani. Steve al-Jazeera finally signed a new contract with AFC Wimbledon for another year, taking a slight wage reduction. Days later Stefano signed Belgium U21 International Ratko Vansimpsen, a 17-year-old left-winger released by Willem II. Martino Gravante, Agostino Roma, Marco Foti and Vincenzo Marciano all signed on for another year at San Potito, until 2009.

[Gennaro08]

And Now For Something Completely Different, the End of the Second Season review of the "Created Players".

England - Premier League

Aston Villa - 6th - UEFA Cup

Terkaldinho - 15

D LC - 23

Scotland - 13/0

£1.8m

£9,500 p/w to 2009

10 (9) - 0 goals - 1 assist - 2 MOM - 6.68

26 (18) - 0 goals - 2 assists - 2 MOM - 6.80*

Squad rotation and thinks Olof Mellberg is a good player**

Defender - Normal - National

Leo Allen - 17

Str - 32

England - uncapped

£120k - Transfer listed, asking £60k

£15,500 p/w to 2008

0 (1) - 1 goal - 1 MOM - 8.00

11 (9) - 5 goals - 2 assists - 1 MOM - 7.05

Transfer listed, not needed by the club and in the reserve team squad

Normal - National

Portsmouth - 19th - Relegated to Championship

Ty - 16

D C/DM - 20

England - Capped at U19 level

£180k

£475 p/w to 2008

5 (8) - 1 booking - 6.38

17 (20) - 2 goals - 0 assists - 0 MOM - 6.57

Squad rotation and thinks Aliou Cisse organises the defence well

Normal - Regional

Harleqin - 4

D/WB R - 22

Denmark - 1/0

£220k

£9,750 p/w to 2008

1 (10) - 6.18

18 (19) - 1 goal - 0 assists - 0 MOM - 6.43

Squad rotation and thinks Pedro Mendes is a good player

Promising full-back - Normal - Regional

Jude Alderson - 11

WB/AM L - 19

Ireland - 3/0

£1.8m

£550 p/w to 2008

38 - 3 goals - 7 assists - 0 MOM - 2 bookings - 1 red card - 7.03

41 (1) - 2 goals - 5 assists - 0 MOM - 6.91

Squad rotation

Enthusiastic winger - Normal - National

Smithaldo - 7

AM R - 19

England - Capped at U19 level

£350k

£350 p/w to 2008

0 (4) - 6.00

0 (2) - 0 goals - 0 assists - 0 MOM - 5.50

Squad rotation and thinks Aliou Cisse organises the defence well

Normal - Local

England - Other

West Ham United

James Bradbury - 6

D R, DM - 21

Wales - 7/0

£220k

£240 p/w to 2009

0 (0)

0 (0)***

Backup and thinks Daniel Gabbidon organises the defence well

Promising midfielder - Normal - Regional

Willy - 8

AM C - 28

Ireland - 1/0

£350k

£1,200 p/w to 2009

6 - 1 red card - 6.50

0 (1) - 0 goals - 0 assists - 0 MOM - 6.00

Squad rotation

Midfielder - Normal - National

AFC Wimbledon

Steve al-Jazeera

D/WB RL, DM - 21

Kuwait - 10/0

£85k

£325 p/w to 2008

41 - 6 goals - 2 assists - 4 MOM - 4 bookings - 7.17

38 - 5 goals - 2 assists - 3 MOM - 7.13

Important first team player

Promising midfielder - Normal - Local

Dave Solomon

DM, M RC - 17

England - Capped at U19 level

£75k in compensation (on youth contract) - wanted by Tottenham Hotspur

£200 p/w (rolling month-to-month contract)

41 - 10 goals - 16 assists - 8 MOM - 4 bookings - 7.37

59 - 13 goals - 13 assists - 10 MOM - 7.12

Indispensable to the club

Normal - Local

2006/07 AFC Wimbledon Supporters Player of the Year

France - Le Championnat

Marseille - 7th - Intertoto Cup

Conrad Rowden - 21

AM R, Str - 19

Norway - 2/0

£2.8m

£600 p/w to 2008

3 (8) - 3 goals - 2 bookings - 6.64

13 (13) - 6 goals - 0 assists - 1 MOM - 6.77

Squad rotation and is optimistic about his future at the club

Enthusiastic forward - Ambitious - National

Lille - 12th

Diego Della Rosa - 10

AM LC, F C - 23

Italy (Argentinian) - U21 6/3

£2.6m

£18,000 p/w to 2009

38 - 8 goals - 1 assist - 3 bookings - 6.55

70 - 19 goals - 3 assists - 5 MOM - 6.74

Squad rotation and is optimistic about his future at the club

Normal - National

Germany - Bundesliga

Bochum - 10th

Børge Eian - 19

AM RC - 20

U.S.A. - 6/1

£1.9m

£3,800 p/w to 2008

Bochum II - 0 (5) - 1 goal - 2 assists - 6.80

33 (5) - 7 goals - 4 assists - 0 MOM - 7.00

Squad rotation

Midfielder - Normal - National

2005/06 Promoted to Bundesliga

Germany - Other

Mainz

HD

AM/F C - 16

Sint Maarten - 2/0

£325k in compensation (on youth contract)

£100 p/w

0 (0)

0 (0)

Squad rotation and thinks Marek Saganowski is a good player

Promising forward - Normal - Local

Italy - Serie A

Lazio - 5th - UEFA Cup

Sam Cox - 28

AM/F C - 18

Ireland - 3/0

£2.6m (£220k from AFC Wimbledon in 01/2007)

£240 p/w to 2009

0 (0)

38 - 14 goals - 1 assist - 2 MOM - 7.00 (all for AFC Wimbledon)

Hot prospect

Promising forward - Normal - Regional

2005/06 AFC Wimbledon Supporters Player of the Year

Vicenza - 15th

Pan Panpardus - 11

DM, M LC

South Africa - 22/1

£1.6m (£220k (minimum fee release clause) from Gremio, Brazil in 07/2006)

£5,250 p/w to 2009

11 (3) - 0 goals - 1 assist - 1 MOM - 1 booking - 6.57

40 (3) - 0 goals - 7 assists - 3 MOM - 6.98 (includes 32 appearances for Gremio in Brazil)

Squad rotation and enthusiastic about his future at the club

Promising midfielder - Very ambitious - Regional

Italy - Serie B

Modena - 2nd - Promoted to Serie A

Gennaro Melisi - 7

DM - 20

Italy - U21 1/0

£3m - Co-owned by AS Roma (set to end 08/08/2007)

£3,600 p/w to 2009

37 - 2 goals - 3 assists - 1 MOM - 2 red cards - 6.95

73 (2) - 6 goals - 5 assists - 1 MOM - 6.81

Indispensable to the club - enjoying playing for the club

Normal - National

2006/07 Runners-up in Serie B and promoted to Serie A

Bari - 4th - Promoted to Serie A via the Play offs

Mikkel Kristensen - 2

Sw, D C - 20

Denmark - 1/0

£900k

£2,500 p/w to 2008

42 - 2 goals - 2 assists - 3 MOM - 2 bookings, 1 red card - 7.26

77 - 2 goals - 5 assists - 5 MOM - 7.21

Squad rotation and happy to remain at the club but considering his options

Centre-back - Normal - National

2006/07 Won the Serie B Play offs and promoted to Serie A

Portugal - BWINLIGA

Porto - 1st - UEFA Champions League

Scottinho - 17

AM/F C - 19

Portugal - U21 9/3

£2.8m

£6,500 p/w to 2010

23 (9) - 11 goals - 2 assists - 1 MOM - 2 bookings - 7.09

40 (4) - 13 goals - 2 assists - 2 MOM - 7.25

Squad rotation

Normal - National

2005/06 Portuguese League Champions

2006/07 Portuguese Super Cup Winners

2006/07 Portuguese League Champions

2006/07 Portuguese Cup Winners

Sporting - 3rd - UEFA Champions League

Rod Davies - 3

D/WB/AM L - 21

France - U21 6/0

£2m

£6,000 p/w to 2009

38 - 2 goals - 6 assists - 1 MOM - 5 bookings - 6.84

55 (1) - 5 goals - 7 assists - 2 MOM - 6.73

Important first team player

Normal - National

2006 European (France) U21 Championship Runner-Up

Other Non-Active Countries

Antwerp - Belgium

Tobes

AM/F C - 20

Australia - 11/2

£160k

£2,300 p/w to 2008

27 - 23 goals - 4 assists - 2 MOM - 1 red card - 7.56

54 (1) - 36 goals - 10 assists - 3 MOM - 7.51

Important first team player

Forward - Normal - National

Juventude - Brazil

Luna

D/WB/M RL - 20

Nigeria - 5/1

£1.1m

£2,900 p/w to 2008

14 - 0 goals - 2 assists - 2 bookings - 6.93 (mid-season)

61 - 2 goals - 3 assists - 0 MOM - 6.98

Indispensable to the club, optimistic about the future at the club and thinks Jeronimo will develop into a good player

Full back - Normal - National

AC Lugano - Switzerland

Hick

GK - 26

Northern Ireland - 11/0

£2m

£10,000 p/w to 2009

28 - 43 conceded - 3 clean sheets - 6.43

52 (1) - 71 conceded - 9 clean sheets - 0 MOM - 6.64

Squad rotation

Goalkeeper - Normal - National

* Career Stats for League only.

** Unfortunately as the English leagues have already finished and moved on to the next season (hence no stats in the photos) and the players are on Holiday, there 'General Happiness' is set to "On Holiday".

*** Unfortunately due to playing outside of the top flight, league games are not calculated for WHU but are for AFC Wimbledon.

[Terk]

Opened and upped. Looking forward to the continuation, Gennaro

[Panpardus]

Sweet, good to see a return! go go Pan!!

[Gennaro08]

Cheers Pan, always nice to receive words of encourgement, especially so soon after being reopened.

Welcome readers, old and new, to the return of Stefano Melisi's management of San Potito and the careers of the 23 created players dubbed "The Golden Group". Apologies for my absence and lack of updates, haven't had much of a chance to play the game as have been busy and when I have been free haven't had the inclination until recently.

1st July 2007

Michele Fiore and Nicola Antonelli were the first two players to be promoted from the club's academy, the former a hard working pacey left back and the latter an eccentric goalkeeper. Luigi Rana was voted Player of the Year by the supporters for his eighteen goals in thirty starts.

July 1st saw much movement in and out of Sant'Abruzzese, San Marino's 20-year-old goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu formerly of Venezia and Palermo was the first through the doors of the now Serie B side, the first addition to the youth team. Three centre midfielders arrived Davide Giorgino from Lecce, 34-year-old Alfred Schreuder from ADO Den Haag and 35-year-old Michael Buskermolen. Buskermolen leaves Dutch side AZ Alkmaar for the first time since joining as a trainee in 1990, racking up 428 appearances and 55 goals but arrives nursing a fractured arm. Luigi Di Pasquale leaves Brescia having spent last season on loan at Perugia on a free transfer to join the new era at I Leoni. Carmine Gaeta after spending last season on loan departs permanently for Serie C2/B side Teramo for an initial fee of £1k and John Goossens joined Serie A side Fiorentina for an initial £500,000, with and additional £500,000 due over the next two years, plus a 10% sell on clause with further low key departures were expected over the coming weeks. Gaeta made 35 first team appearances for San Potito, 29 under the management of Stefano and scored three times but despite the winger boasting creativity, he lacked any significant pace or the fundamental football ability to any great standard and whilst on loan at Latina in Serie C2/C, he only played four games.

The fixtures were drawn up and San Potito would start life in Serie B away to Rimini, who had finished 15th the past two seasons, then come Triestina again away, who won Serie C1/A after being relegated from Serie B before that. The first home match would be against Avellino who had finished 16th the past two seasons.

The annual board meeting was held with finances top of the agenda, £1m was the reward for promotion in terms of TV rights.

"The bank balance stands at £1.4m after the TV money and Goossens sale, we're giving you £575,000 for transfers to fight against relegated," declared Giuseppe Maglione, the Chairman.

"What about on a weekly basis, in terms of wages?" Stefano asked.

"As things stand with the influx of players, not factoring in any potential deals of sales but right now, based against projected season ticket sales and gate income, about £21,000 a week, capped at around £2,000 per player unless of course you attract Francesco Totti and we'll be flexible."

"Ouch!! That's hardly anything, only two or three decent players, we've stepped up to a whole different class here."

"Consolidation, we've not expecting you to win the bloody title here, we predicting attendances averaging about only 6 to 7,000 this season. Monthly income will be quite low in comparision to other clubs and we'll build slowly not shoot for the moon straight off."

"But still...we are going to need two more regulars and added depth to the squad to even compete, last season when injuries hit we had Massaro, Marciano, Bontempo, Fusconi, Roma, Toma, even Del Sole got a game. I would love to get rid of half the squad but we can't attract decent replacements, especially not within that budget."

"Do what you can...within budget!!"

On the subject of budgets, Manchester United blew theres paying Arsenal £36m for Belarussian Aliaksandr Hleb, Barcelona £10.75m for Leo Messi and San Lorenzo £10m for Ezequiel Lavezzi.

[mark wilson27]

Great to see the story back up and running gennaro

[Gennaro08]

Cheers Mark, it's good to be back playing, writing and reading.

2nd July 2007

Marcello Fennino, Ludovico Lamberti and Danilo Massaro all left the club to non-league Monterotondo, San Paolo Bari and Venafro respectively for £4k between them. 3, 3 and 12 appearances were made respectively by each player in the San Potito first team.

Stefano was busy making countless approaches for players who were released and loan deals including contact made with Fiorentina about Dutchman John Goossens, coming back on loan for the season. Friendlies were set up against Serie A sides Treviso and Bari, pitting Stefano Melisi against Mikkel Kristensen, the first time he comes face-to-face with one of the "Golden Group", from where his son Gennaro was produced, incidentally Modena rejected an approach for a pre-season friendly.

San Potito as well as joining Serie B for the first time in their history would also be competing in the Coppa Italia, the First Qualifying Round starting three weeks before the league campaign.

3rd July 2007

Adverts were placed for coaching and scouting positions at San Potito, while Stefano added nine more bodies to the youth team with the pick of them being 20-year-old ex-Vicenza striker Nicola Scalcon. All were signed on a free transfer after being released by their respective Serie A side.

The only other players signed from a non-Serie A club were goalkeepers 18-year-old ex-Venezia Cristian Zappala and Matteo Gaudino ex of San Marino.

Stefano was pleased to see the normal order of things restored having signed Buskermolen and Schreuder, both mid-thirties, especially considering that last season the oldest player was left-back Gaetano Avolio at 25. New striker Di Pasquale joined the Dutchman in being older than Avolio amongst the wealth of new signings.

[Gennaro08]

4th July 2007

Carlo Addo became the latest departure from Sant'Abruzzese, the 20-year-old left back with no pace to speak off left on a free transfer to join non-league outfit Viribus Unitis, having made three appearances in the first team. Antonio Rubino, 18 who suffers from the same problem left San Potito to join newly promoted Angri of Serie C2/C. The young striker made four first team appearances and spent last season on loan at Salo but didn't feature.

5th July 2007

21-year-old centre back Valentino Picozzi left for Serie C2/C side Sorrento - another one suffering from a lack of pace - on a free transfer after making ten appearances for San Potito as Stefano was trimming those no longer deemed good enough due to the back-to-back promotions.

6th July 2007

Dutch full-back Faisel Achlioui collapsed during training, which was halted, the early diagnosis was knee ligaments and at least a couple of months out for the youngster (I know they are all youngsters). Stefano was looking for Achlioui to challenge Avolio for the left-back spot this season but that would have to be put on the back-burner.

Stefano was in the market for a quality left-back, as doubts remained over Avolio and the progress of Achlioui and the first of two that had been released, which he had his eye on signed for Fiorentina. Francesco Flachi rejected the contract offer made after a fee of £140k was accepted by Lazio for their transfer listed reserve team striker, in truth it had been a speculative approach for a player that was out of San Potito's league.

Scout Massimo Costantini sent over a dossier containing the latest batch of players that had come to his attention recently and Stefano looked at that of Nicola Niola, a 21-year-old midfielder, released by non-league side Turris having made one appearance in four years. Costantini described him as "a promising young midfielder well worthy of your consideration." Worthy of my consideration, Stefano thought as he looked through the file on the midfielder, Why would he be of any interest to us, a now Serie B side. The Flachi rejection was quite understandable to Stefano, it was worth a punt and if you don't enquire then you'll never know, Ryan Giggs would probable laugh in his face as well as a contract was sent to his agent, but Costantini's assessment of Niola really rubbed him up the wrong way. So did Alessandro Rigoli's decision to sign for Serie C2/A side Pro Patria on equal terms to that he had just offered to the young right-back, Are we really still just a nobody? he mussed.

[Gennaro08]

7th July 2007

Ryan Giggs did in fact reject the contract offered to him by Stefano but one man that didn't was former AC Milan goalkeeper Massimiliano Villa, who was on loan at Massese last season. A major factor in Stefano signing him was just how fantastic he was in the three consecutive games between the two clubs and provides serious competition for Nathan Coe for the starting goalkeeper jersey.

The second of the left-backs Stefano was interested in opted to join a Serie A club in Vicenza, although he wasn't to be diswayed and approached both clubs with a loan move in mind. Meanwhile John Goossens insisted he has no intention of returning to San Potito on loan. Goalkeeper Salvatore Del Sole left on a free transfer to join Serie C2/A side Belluno, who coincidentally the Under 20's had at Stefano's request arranged a friendly against.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">

MELISI LIKE A FATHER

New signing Salvatore Del Sole spoke to us here at Comune di Belluno Gazzetta and offered his frank and honest assessement of his time at the new sensation sweeping Italy that is San Potito and Stefano Melisi.

"I was sorry to leave San Potito and to no longer be working with Stefano Melisi, he was like a second father to me," said Del Sole and continued, "He offered me a lot of support and guidance during the two years that we were there together, I had joined the youth team a year before."

"Yeah it was difficult to leave on a personal level but as a footballing decision not so much as getting promoted to Serie B meant another step up in terms of ability and even less chance of breaking into the first-team."

It is a refreshing change to see such a young footballer speaking respectfully and to hold a manager in such high regard, despite only making two appearances in three years at a club and all Belluno fans will be hoping that Del Sole will form an equally poignant relatonship with Daniele Pasa to build on last season's excellent 7th place finish in Serie C2/A.

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

9th July 2007

A deal was struck with AS Roma for the season long loan of central defender Luca Morongiu, rejecting the other offer from Serie C1/B Frosinone, who finished above Stefano's San Potito on goal difference last season. Morongiu would provide some much needed cover at the back for Francesco Cosenza and Luigi Galimberti, who between them have a nasty habit of getting injured, often at the same time. Speaking of Cosenza, the youngster again was in the thoughts of Serie A sides with Lecce making an offer of £1.6m, with a 10% sell-on-fee to San Potito and a friendly to be arranged between the sides. Stefano pondered the decision but couldn't see himself replacing the defender with anyone of better, the same or nearing quality with the cash, due to their sometimes understandable poor reputation in Italy. The rejection fax was sent but he knew that this wasn't to be the end of it this summer and as long as the ex-Reggina defender was happy to stay at Sant'Abruzzese, Stefano was happy to keep batting the offers out of the park.

[Gennaro08]

10th July 2007

Salvatore Valvano reported the second injury of pre-season, that of Gianmarco Rodio three days before the first friendly. The young midfielder twisted his knee and could well miss most of the warm-up matches, Ironic, Stefano thought as he was one of the players that badly needed matches after missing the back end of last season with strained knee ligaments and would be battling the newcomers for a central midfield spot.

A quick flick through the newspapers revealed that, Ali Lune Weah, more commonly known Luna signed a new contract with Juventude until December 2010 worth £4,700 per week, which substantially increased the Minimum Fee Release in his contract, once activated by Vicenza, now stands at £2.9m.

12th July 2007

Ty his friends call him or Tyrone Davidson to his mother signed a new contract with relegated Portsmouth until 2010 worth £1,800 per week to the 20-year-old Englishman. In Southern Europe, Italy, newly promoted Bari extended the contract of Mikkel Kristensen to 2010 worth £6,500 per week to the 20-year-old Danish defender.

Bulgarian Vladimir Gadzhev rejected the contract offer made to him by Stefano, stating that he wasn't sure whether moving to Italy aged just 19 would be good for his career, obviously the name John Goossens meant nothing to the attacking midfielder currently transfer listed by Panathinaikos.

13th July 2007

Stefano missed out again on another central midfielder who had been on loan the previous season only to be released. Rijat Shala snubbed San Potito for Foggia last season, who were relegated to Serie C2/B and now ex-Lazio man Stefano Salvi chose Serie C1/A side San Marino.

For what it was worth at this stage Gennaro Melisi signed a new contract with newly promoted Modena until 2010 worth £7,250 per week, the co-ownership deal on the young Italian midfielder runs out in under a months time (08/08/2007) with AS Roma, which would decide where his future lies.

San Potito took to the field having had just five weeks off since the infamous 2-0 victory at home to Lanciano. Today's match however, was purely a fitness exercise against non-league Gela Juve-Terranova in the south of Sicily, here by invitation from the hosts. It was as full strength as could be with Nathan Coe, Faisel Achlioui and Gianmarco Rodio injured and Michael Buskermolen having just recovered from his fractured arm. Ominously the hosts hit Massimiliano Villa's post early on but order was restored to proceedings at Nicola Rizzoli if not the world when Steeve Gustan opened the scoring. The goalscorer suffered a gashed arm and while receiving treatment the hosts levelled. Both teams scored again, Luigi Rana first before Gela equalised for a second time in the match, which ended in a disappointing 2-2 drew, well at least for San Potito.

Fortunately Gustan's injury would only keep him out of action for a week while Davide Giorgino was grateful for the seventy minutes, clearly in need for a lot more before he is to be match fit. The four newcomers that started all played well but will need time to bed in and gel with the squad.

[Gennaro08]

14th July 2007

Dave Solomon rejected yet another contract offer from AFC Wimbledon, the 17-year-old Englishman hoping for a more lucrative salary to match his ability, while the interest from Spurs continues. The England U19 international was currently on a month-to-month contract and will surely be waiting for that call from Martin Jol and his representatives. Børge Eian followed suit and rejected the contract offered to him by his club, German Bundesliga side Bochum. The American is of the opinion that he is deserving of a better basic salary.

Fellow Serie B side Ternana came a calling at Sant'Abruzzese with interest in midfielder Gianmarco Rodio and defender Morgan Suric. Stefano sent faxes back asking them to make a real offer or not bother. He then signed the paperwork on another Serie A reject Matteo Falconi's contract. The 20-year-old right midfielder joined after being released on a free transfer by SS Lazio.

15th July 2007

Palermo's 31-year-old striker Denis Godeas' rejceted the contract offer from San Potito and appears happy to see out the remainder of his career at the Sicilian club, with plans to retire in a years time. Another striker rejected San Potito's calling, AC Milan's Willy Aubameyang declared he had no interest of going out on loan to "such a club". Ok, we're by no means a big club, but 'such a club' is just down-right rude, rot instead of playing Serie B football. Negogiations continued with Reggina for 31-year-old midfielder Giacomo Tedesco, an experienced head in Italian football if there ever was one.

On the International scene, Stefano saw that the Asian Cup had started out and was eager to get one of his scouts out to Malaysia and Indonesia. Australia had been drawn in Group C alongside Bahrain, Thailand and North Korea and the Socceroos opened with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Thailand, with Tobes an unused sub.

16th July 2007

Stefano added a couple of bodies to the backroom staff, Volfango Patarca joining from Cisco Roma as a scout and Paolo Baffoni from Forli as a coach.

Stefano flicked through the newspapers, as had become customary and over in England Jude Alderson added his name to the list of contract rejectees. Portsmouth's contract offer was apparently rejected as the 19-year-old Irishman felt that he was also deserving of a better salary and also wanted to be given a key role within the relegated team. One man that was happy with what was on offer was Rod Davies, who extended his contract with Sporting Lisbon until 2010 worth £6,500 per week to the 21-year-old French U21 international.

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17th July 2007

Stefano was still as busy as ever in the transfer market looking to secure both loan and permanent signatures for a reasonable fee and wage that would enhance the squad. One such identified player was Torino's Matteo Melara, a central defender to provide cover to the two young Italians, Cosenza and Galimberti, unfortunately though he rejected the contract offer on grounds of wanting an improved basic wage and to be considered a more important part of the team. Later that day, 19-year-old Austrian ex-Chievo central defender Ricky Rickler signed on the dotted line as defensive cover.

Conrad Rowden who was back in the Marseille starting line-up - partnering Helder Postiga during the Intertoto early rounds - signed a new contract with the French club until 2010 worth £10,500 per week to the 19-year-old Norwegian international.

18th July 2007

After scoring once in twenty-four appearances for San Potito in two seasons, Vinicio Paris departed for non-league Salo, £5,000 the fee for the 22-year-old striker.

San Potito played hosts to Serie A Treviso in front of 6,690 with Nathan Coe returning in goal and new signing Matteo Falconi on the right of midfield with Frank de Haan taking to the left in the absence of Gustan. New recruit Ricky Rickler took his place on the bench alongside Michael Buskermolen returning from his fractured arm. Nathan Coe gifted Simone Tiribocchi the opener clearing a back pass straight to the Treviso striker. Alfred Schreuder picked up a knock early on and was replaced midway through the first half by Buskermolen. With ten minutes left Luigi Rana scored his second goal of pre-season from Alessandro Ciulli's pass. Pre-season friendlies are always difficult games to assess with the constant distruptions of substitutions and players playing themselves back to fitness but Stefano was pleased with the result and performances of the players.

19th July 2007

Bahrain took a shock 2-0 lead against Australia but Tobes pulled one back in his first start for The Socceroos in twelve appearances, that being his third goal. Arezzo's Massimiliano Vieri scored his first international goal to earn Australia a 2-2 draw.

20th July 2007

England U19 international Smithaldo signed a new contract with Portsmouth until 2010 worth £1,700 per week.

Stefano added Palermo's pacey striker Francesco Albanese to San Potito's squad for the season, the 21-year-old impressing a Serie C2/C side Igea Virtus last season on loan but will face a slightly sterner task this.

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21st July 2007

Tobes signed a new contract with Antwerp until 2011 worth £3,800 per week to the 20-year-old Australian forward. Conrad Rowden returned to the bench for Marseille's trip to Austria to face FC Zurich in the second leg of the Intertoto Cup Third Round. It however, marked the end of the French clubs European involvement for another season losing 2-0 on the night and 4-2 on aggregate.

22nd July 2007

Australia recorded their first win of the Asian Cup at the third attempt beating North Korea 3-0, where Tobes earning his 13th cap was a late substitute for Mark Bresciano. Australia topped Group C with Bahrain qualifying in second place. Australia would face Oman in the Quarter Finals would finished second in Group A beating South Korea and Malaysia.

23rd July 2007

Rimini made a bid for full-back Faisel Achlioui activating his minimum fee release clause of £250,000, to which Stefano could do nothing more than accept and offer the 20-year-old a new contract in hope that the Dutchman would stay at the club that picked him from obscurity in Holland. Luigi Galimberti damaged his foot in training and will miss the rest of the pre-season campaign, but will hopefully be fit for the start of the leauge season.

25th July 2007

Stefano completed the signing of Lecce's 22-year-old striker Giuseppe Cozzolino for £10,000, a slight steal in his opinion but the problems surrounding the full-back shortage still concerned him should Achlioui leave, which he thinks he will. In an attempt to bring in cover, Stefano approached Lazio over the availability of former loanee Lorenzo De Silvestri, who spent last season on loan with Lanciano in Serie C1/B.

Mikkel Kristensen started the friendly match at Sant'Abruzzese on the bench for Bari. Giuseppe Cozzolino was thrown straight in to the starting line-up, while Villa starting in goal as Nathan Coe was the subject of a tranfer bid from Vicenza and there was a start for Luca Morongiu on loan from AS Roma as a result of Galimberti's injury. Cozzolino's match lasted only thirty-three seconds after landing awkwardly following an aerial challenge. On loan striker Francesco Albanese replaced the unfortunate Cozzolino. Kristensen came on at half-time with Bari leading through Giorgio Di Vicino's free-kick. The majority of the 6,801 strong crowd were smiling midway through the second half when Giorgino's cross was only half punched clear by Jean-Francois Gillet leaving Michael Buskermolen to sidefoot into the open net from fourteenn yards.

The report from Salvatore Valvano on Giuseppe Cozzolino wasn't good. The new striker had fractured his wrist and would spend at least a month out of action.

26th July 2007

As Stefano had feared Faisel Achlioui rejected San Potito's contract offer of £500 per week, claiming that the pittance being offered is laughable to enthusiastically join the well-supported Serie B club of Rimini on £300 per week. Stefano stratched his head in disbelief, fickle bâstârds, what happened to honesty and decency?. The quarter of a million fee for the Dutch full-back at least provided some concelation and would prove a welcome addition to the clubs funds in recruiting a new full-back or two.

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27th July 2007

Oman shocked the footballing world or at least those interested in the Asian Cup by beating Australia 2-1. Tobes was thrown on with twenty minutes to go to turn things around but to no avail. The Socceroos embarrasingly dumped out of the Asian Cup in the Quarter Finals and given the opponents, they were expected to win the competition.

28th July 2007

Stefano was able to bring in the full-back he required for the second time, Lorenzo De Silvestri on a season long loan from SS Lazio.

Le Championnat kicked off and Marseille travelled to Bordeaux for the early evening game. Despite playing for seventy-six minutes with ten men the visitors with Conrad Rowden relegated to the Reserves managed a 1-1 with the reigning Champions.

29th July 2007

Young Belgium winger, Ratko Vansimpsen, was sent to see a specialist after suffering a hip injury in the youth team's 3-1 defeat to Belluno with striking sub Marco Foti getting the consolation goal for San Potito.

Young goalkeeper Nathan Coe had been making noises at training that he felt his current wage was too low for a player of his calibre. After hearing this Stefano spoke to the big Aussie who was happy to commit himself to the club, but only if the deal matched his expectations. Stefano stated that he would not be offering him a new deal at this time as the contract negotiations had already been handled. Nathan understood that but was still of the opinion that he deservd a new and improved contract, however he was willing to be patient and wait.

In the last game of the weekend Lille played hosts to Lyon, going down to a late Nilmar goal. Italian striker Diego Della Rosa was stretched off early on in the game but tests later confirmed there was no lasting damage and safety was the best measure.

30th July 2007

Stefano finally managed to add what he thought was the first piece of real quality, that wasn't close to retirement in the shape of Alex Pinardi, a former Italian U21 international. The 26-year-old attacking midfielder was brought up through Atalanta's youth system and was touted as a future international but after spending two seasons at Lecce then found himself out of favour. Stefano was only too please to bring Alex to the revolution at Sant'Abruzzese for £180,000, a club record fee breaking the £20k paid for Davide Giorgino. The attacking midfielder can play anywhere across the midfield, which will prove invaluable, although which spot he will take up is yet to be decided.

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31st July 2007

Another month coming to a close and another contract rejection from Dave Solomon of AFC Wimbledon, holding out for a more lucrative salary, although Spurs' interest in the midfielder has waned. The First Qualifying Round of the Coppa Italia was drawn and San Potito will travel to promoted Serie B side Triestina on the 5th of August. With the Coppa Italia drawn like Wimbledon (Tennis) all the way through to the final, there was the temptation for Stefano to see who they could potentially meet along the way but he kept his feet firmly on the ground and instead opted to wait on the outcome of the initial match, which would prove a very difficult first round tie, not least being an away match.

1st August 2007

Today saw the first ever inter-San Potito match with the squad split into two roughly even sides to gain match sharpness and to see how well people play, especially the new lads. While Luigi Rana went about it in the right well opening the scoring, his opposite number Luig Di Pasquale didn't and was sent off for continuously arguing with the referee. Alex Pinardi showed his class when he struck a curling free-kick passed sub goalkeeper Matteo Gaudino for a two goal lead, which was extended to three with ten minutes left. Sub Francesco Roberto's effort was saved but the rebound fell to fellow sub Gionata Camalleri whose effort required the post before nestling in the back of the net.

3rd August 2007

Lecce returned for their annual bid of Francesco Cosenza and as per usual Stefano rebuffed the offer in favour of the long term prospect of the 21-year-old defender. In a show of commitment Stefano offered Cosenza a new five year contract until 2012.

4th August 2007

To ensure that the San Potito transfer fund didn't burn a hole in his pocket, Stefano splashed the cash in Sampdoria's direction for another central midfielder. He went by the name of Gennaro Del Vecchio, a 29-year-old who started his career with San Potito ten years ago, making 33 appearances and scoring six times. The midfielder has since been at nine different clubs and only spent two seasons at the same club, Sambenedettese between 2001-03 and is eager to impress Stefano, realising that competition for places will be fierce this season in the middle.

The Bundesliga kicked off with Børge Eian on the bench for Bochum at home to Werder Bremen. The American international came on with fifteen minutes to go for his first ever top-flight appearance but unfortunately Anatoly Gerk's first minute strike for the visitors was enough to give them victory on a bitter-sweet day for 21-year-old from Trondheim.