Strictly No Dancing?

[markyt]

Mark laid into the players during the interval. Despite the fact the team were one up after their inept first 45 minutes work. The efforts on the training ground and the confidence that they could beat Exeter lay in ruins. Time to make amends. The team were 'fully' aware that they were lucky to escape from the first half carnage with a lead and there was no way they could perform as badly in the second half and expect to emerge with victory.

'A stormy sea crashing on the rocks has to finally calm.'

Exeter couldn’t keep the pace and the frantic nature of their performance going for 90 minutes. They changed tactics and looked to slow the game and catch WSM on the break.

Wary of being caught out by Tipton's power they defended much deeper and at the same time shackled the pace of Benyon. At last the WSM engine started and crashed through the gears. Jermyn and kirk began to find space deprived earlier in the game. They started to find their range of passing and Story and Brown were worked into the game.

Story on 49 minutes tip toed past his marker before laying the ball into Tipton’s path, but Tipton could only harmlessly hit the ball at the Exeter keeper. There had been no power in the shot.

Bailey and Evans in the centre of defence were now in control and Exeter’s lethal Philips a bystander in the second half. The game was poor perhaps the reward too much but in essence this was a game too far. Both teams were leggy and had nothing left to give. Beating supposed better teams across two legs had been to their detriment and the tv watching public bore witness to a war of attrition. It was just as gruesome pitch side.

Mark now standing permanently by the touchline shouting words of encouragment above the caldron of noise.

Philips was now shooting from long range and that was to WSM’s power.

Northmore wasn’t likely to be beat from 30 plus yards. WSM however were having their best spell of the game and their dominance was beginning to count in front of goal. Kirk ever keen to find the wide men played a delightful pass for Brown wide right and for some reason his marker had gone awol. With time and space he made for the by-line before crossing the ball searching for the head of Tipton. Tipton climbed high but could only head the ball high wide and handsome. It was a chance and chances for both teams were few and far between.

The clock was heading for 90 minutes and beyond extra time. WSM fans were willing the whistle as much to put the game to an end as the need to see their team run out winners.

It was awful viewing made worse by two poor performance’s on the pitch.

All change………….

89 minutes and Exeter’s Philips was provided a beautiful 30 yard pass to run on to and for once Evans was beaten and left eating dust. Philips burst for the penalty area before launching a shot high past the keeper’s left hand. The ball crashed into the net and sparked all out joy from the Exeter end of the ground. Northmore smacked the ground in frustration but in truth he had been beaten by a cracking shot.

All level and Exeter perhaps deservedly for their first half efforts had squared the game.

Mark shouted at the bench for all of the subs to warm up.

Changes were going to be made for the extra time period. A 6th form outing would begin….

WSM kicked off to restart the game just as the 4th official signalled 4 extra minutes for the half. Exeter saw this is a chance. Refreshed by the goal they were determined to win the game inside 90 minutes….

Desperate defending somehow kept them out and simple and effective clearance’s smacked into touch added some respite. Time ticked on.

Exeter knew that time was almost up and rallied for one more go before extra time.

It was not to be their day.

Bailey intercepted the ball deep in his own half and for once took time to look for a white shirt. Breaking free he moved up the pitch before finding Brown again wide open on the right. Bodies were failing all over the pitch as exhaustion kicked in.

Brown somehow found the energy to pick up the ball and aimlessly moved the ball to the by-line. No Exeter defenders closed him down and without looking he crossed the ball to the near post.

Unbelievably the keeper fumbled the ball managing to drop it at the feet of the suprised Benyon who smashed the ball home. 93 minutes had been played and WSM were ahead and the despair of the apparent win too much for the Exeter players. They were distraught after clawing themselves back into contention. That the 2nd goal had been a mistake the harder to bear.

Benyon raced to the WSM end to celebrate the goal! The WSm fans many in tears joined the team in a sheer release of tension.

Mark could have kissed the Tring official as he blew the whistle. WSM had won promotion to the 2nd division.

Cue the celebrations………………..

[markyt]

Play off final - Conference National

WSM 2:1 Exeter

[markyt]

The celebrations after match would be long remembered by the WSM traveling support. To achieve promotion to the Football League a dream that many supporters never thought possible. The arrival of Paul Bliss to WSM and the investment he had made personally had signaled a change in fortunes that had led the club to this triumphant day.

Bliss with his finances had in turn managed to attract a manager to the club who had delivered promotion twice in short succession to turn dreams into reality. This was as much Bliss’s day as any WSM supporter or team member.

His belief had been set from his first day at the club and there was no doubt that he would be long remembered at the club for achieving league status for the town.

His harnessing of a high profile player without managerial credentials had raised eyebrows. Especially as mark had been periphery to the game for a couple of years and prior to his arrival had shown no interest in management. His high profile career with Chelsea and England had obviously impacted on his managerial style. The fact that he had spent next to no money over two seasons using virtually the same side he had inherited barring one or two inspired signings had made him too a local hero.

Of course similar stories had happened elsewhere in non league history.

Martin O’Neill and Sammy Mcillroy had achieved league status with Mcillroy getting non league promotion for a second time and at a different club, Morecambe just the year before.

Big name, big profile players had bided their time and learnt the trade from the ground and this in effect had been where they had taken time to understand club management before embarking on higher profile opportunities. Mark despite initial concerns about a long term future in club management had at times through gritted teeth enjoyed the learning journey.

But he had also over two years tasted dark days of despair and loneliness in a post that was to many a poisoned chalice, despite the profile and wealth that was festooned on the high achievers.

Did he actually enjoy the role of manager? Enjoy was probably too strong a word. However the buzz from the involvement with game overrode any negative feelings.

Right now he would enjoy the winning feeling with the rest of the team and their joyful supporters. There would be more dark days ahead as Mark had secured the promised land of further funding.

There was the possible sale of cherished Elliot Benyon and finally to do more than survive at the higher level a complete rebuilding of the team.

For the South West this was boom time. Plymouth were at the pinnacle of the league pyramid with Bristol City, Rovers, Yeovil all doing well in their respective leagues. Torquay had been promoted and WSM had joined them in reaching the dizzy heights of league two after beating another west country side Exeter.

As Mark completed his tv work post game he was congratulated live on air by match summarizer Ian Atkins. Atkins manager of Torquay told the watching Sky viewers and Mark himself that he would wager good money that both Torquay and WSM would be there or thereabouts in the Division 2 promotion hunt. Both squads would be improved over the summer but the momentum of promotion would see them through their first year at the higher level.

Mark laughed off suggestions of tomorrow’s world. Right now he was going to celebrate the here and now. Tomorrow’s World could wait for a day or two as when it was time to move on it would be shock and awe for those associated with WSM.

Mark was in theory out of contract so there were several hurdles to leap over before August. Namely would he still be at the club....

[markyt]

There had been a blur of activity immediately after the play off final victory.

Mark had stopped the proposed town parade. Coming fifth still something he felt reluctant to celebrate. WSM had their glory in Stoke in front of 12000 plus WSM fans and their achievement on that day had been recognised with promotion attained.

Mark was keen to quickly move on.

There was work to do and for him very little time to complete it. Anything less hasty could wreck his 2nd division plans considerably.

Sat perched on the end of the desk in the WSM boardroom Mark had just finished giving potential target Lee Sawyer the guided tour of the club and training ground facilities.

With the training ground improvement work being commenced almost immediately after promotion had been confirmed there was much to see. There was nothing like waiting until the chickens had hatched however.

Sawyer now that WSM were a league club was keen to discuss terms and within two hours of first arriving had become WSM’s first summer signing adding to the roster of new players.

Chelsea to WSM was a jump down the leagues but Sawyer had seen and heard enough.

Officially Sawyer was the first signing since the club had been promoted but Mark had already confirmed three new arrivals for the season ahead.

These were the Stafford due of Madjo and Olaoye and Farnborough Town’s starlet Michael Charles. Sawyer was a player who could play either as a holding midfielder or in the centre midfield allowing the more creative partner to roam free whilst providing cover and breaking up play as the opposition attacked the space. Mark also recognised that Sawyer had been effective at right back and this flexibility stood well for his future and WSM’s future.

Mark’s other targets were now also well honed. Just the little matter of the promised money being released in his direction and of course his new contract being signed.

Officially he had spent most of his initial 50k but that in the main had gone towards the purchase of Madjo. All other players including Sawyer were effectively free or bargain basement purchases.

Part one of the bargain struck with Bliss completed with promotion to the 2nd division delivered, part two needed his signature on a contract.

D Day had been confirmed for the 15th May and Carolyn Smith, Mark’s agent had been requested to attend a meeting to over see the finer details prior to signing later that day.

The timing critical in more ways than one with Mark wanting funds made available to chase his 5 or 6 transfer targets.

There was also the little matter of holidays and the gap of 4 weeks from the end of May to pre season commencing had been detailed as downtime and the chance for him to unwind and forget football.

It was agreed that Sawyer would also be unveiled as the latest signing on the 15th something else the club wanted to shout about.

Mark wanted everything finalised by the end of the week to ensure he had two full weeks to concentrate on other matters not connected to the club.

Other matters included the European Cup Final between Chelsea and Barcelona and time at his London pad whereupon he would get up the opportunity to spend time with Carolyn whilst being involved in some media work around the play off finals at Wembley.

Nice work if you can get it.....

Mark spent the remainder of the week wheeling and dealing.

The shock and awe programme was about to begin...............

[markyt]

Having already moved Tipton and Harkness on to pastures new he finalized transfer deals for Christian Roberts that would net the club 38k followed quickly by Mark Jermyn and Matthew Rose in a joint deal for 20k to Oxford Utd. Roberts was on his way to Grimsby Town but reluctantly he had let Jermyn go in the deal to Oxford. Kirk and Jermyn had done well for WSM and Jermyn would have provided excellent back up to the first team. But Mark had now secured Sawyer who had the potential to play at a much higher level than Jermyn. Releasing Jermyn perhaps the most difficult decision of the players let go so far.

Jim Smith the Oxford Utd manager had wanted Ben Kirk in addition to the other two but Mark had not been swayed on this option despite Paul Bliss having considerably more money offered for the purchase of the trio. Mark knew that Kirk deserved his chance in division two. His chances could be limited if Mark picked up the two midfielders he coveted the most. But Kirk would get his chance to prove his ability at the higher level and would remain club captain regardless. If the key targets didn’t materialize at the club Kirk would start life in the centre of midfield and wouldn’t let the club down.

Worrying for Mark however that the club had not heard from Norwich about the bid for Benyon. Good news but Mark couldn’t afford for the matter to drag out too much longer. He didn’t want Benyon to go but if the cheque book opened displaying ‘big money’ there was nothing Mark could do but ensure he found a suitable replacement and quick enough for them to arrive at the club in time for pre season training.

Lee Jarman was the next player to move on with Weymouth snapping him up for 5k. The wrong side of 30 and whilst Jarman was a strong and resolute defender a severe lack of pace would hamper his ability at league level. There was no time for tea and sympathy. Mark had spent months deciding on his action plan and within almost hours of promotion had already slashed the team that had effectively won back to back promotions.

The reserve squad that had been so inept picking up just two points for a season’s toils was destroyed in less time than it had taken WSM to score their first against Exeter in the play off final.

40 minutes and all but three reserve players remained. All of the reserve players found that their contracts were not being renewed barring the three and whilst there were tears, after their season long struggles many knew that the writing had been on the wall.

As players they hadn’t made the grade or been able to step up to the plate consistently enough when required.

The only survivors of this cull were keeper Mark Crossley, midfielder Peter Morris and finally striker Clark Bell. Only they would live to tell the tale of the night of the long knives.

Worse faired for the under 18’s with only one survivor. Mark Jackson who had played for the first team in the Conference South season was offered a one year deal and promoted to the reserve team.

The under 18’s had a fresh crop of players but on first sighting Mark had already been disappointed by their quality. From his point of view there appeared to be very little to be positive about the latest crop of young lads hoping to make their way. Mark knew that several current first teamers would be disappointed to find themselves playing regularly alongside the reserves. But Mark wanted greater strength in depth and players such as Marvin Brown, Matt Somner and Ryan Northmore himself still very much part of the first team squad would have to play themselves into first team contention.

Paul Bliss arrived in Mark’s office after the day of goings...

Bliss had been pre warned about the mass exodus and had been prepared for the fall out after the ruthless turn of events. The local media had already been made aware of the cull and had been keen to speak to the club. Bliss diplomatically suggested that they wait until a press conference to be scheduled later that week whereupon they could ask questions direct to Mark.

With his appearance Mark cautiously enquired of further developments on the Benyon front. Nothing had happened with the line to Norwich deader than a Monty Python parrot.

With the club now worth double his investment Bliss had every right to be upbeat. Promotion alone would further add to the clubs value. The club financially secure with guaranteed bumper season ticket sales and sell out games for most of the 2nd division season ahead there was no wonder he had a smile on his face.

The two kicked around their various days before discussing their main agenda item.

Mark had been toiling over a decision regards his backroom staff for weeks.

All had been inherited on his arrival at the club and when the going had got tough most of them had been found wanting.

Scout Lee Houghton had been the major exception but with WSM's success on the pitch and their successful targeting of players he had not gone unrecognized. Houghton’s star was rising and already there had been rumours of better positioned clubs being interested. Paul Bliss confirmed as much showing Mark a fax from Cardiff whereupon they had offered 2k as compensation for WSM losing Houghton’s services.

Houghton had accepted the offer and apart from wanting to speak to Mark to explain his decision personally everything was pretty much completed. Fortunately Houghton's scouting work had been finished and Mark's transfer targets long established.

Mike Kilgour and Mickey Miller were both hard working genuine guys to have around but when the going had got tough and when Mark wanted some specific input into different options on the field of play they had both been found wanting. In some aspects they reminded him a bit of Phil Neal sat beside Graham Taylor in their England guise.

Mark had the pleasure of being on the bench for a couple of England games and whilst individually and when on the training ground both were superb. Neal when sat on the bench often appeared lost in the action and able only to say the words ‘yes boss’.

The players thought this hysterical but the reality style tv programme that followed Taylor portrayed both men in a derogatory way.

Shame because both were much better than they were ever given credit for and both had worked hard to develop Mark’s game something which he would always appreciate.

For the conference season Kilgour and Miller had been appointed manager of the reserve and under 18’s respectively.

Miller had managed a couple of wins but had been treading water for much of the season and the under 18 team had stalled in terms of progress.

Kilgour had been a glorious failure in charge of side that had amassed two draws and just two points.

Both were part time and Mark wanted full time staff in post for the season ahead. With both contracts due for renewal the decision being discussed between the two men now whether to go with ‘new’ one year deals or to let them both go.

The decision was made easier when Paul Bliss revealed their requirements to agree new deals.

Unrealistic and over the top salary demands which would not be acceptable to the club or to Mark himself meant that the curtain would close on their WSM careers. To be fair Mark had already decided to start with new faces in the backroom team.

Shock and awe was now complete and WSM would emerge from non league football with a completely fresh backroom staff in place.

The hard work for the season ahead just got much harder.

It was at that moment that Paul Bliss dropped a bombshell of his own into the conversation and found that Mark’s guard was down.

[sherm]

Still an excellent read Markyt, always good to read lower league stories. KUTGW

[markyt]

Thankyou so much Sherm for your encouraging words. I'm never sure how the updates land so your positive feedback is much appreciated. Hopefully the good read will continue as WSM now enter league life.

Paul Bliss bombshell landed a clean shot straight to the chin leaving Mark momentarily speechless.

‘Niall Quinn has asked for permission to talk to you and I have agreed on the proviso that if you join them he pays compensation of three years salary regardless of your contract status. He thought it cheap and is flying down tonight to talk to you first thing tomorrow’.

Mark exploded in fury. ‘You had no right and I have no intention of joining Sunderland. I do wish to progress upwards but want a move when the time and the club ‘is’ right for me.

‘Ring him back and tell him that I’m not interested in joining him but thankyou for the interest I’m flattered.’

‘Sunderland ‘are’ a great club but the job and more to the point the hassle that go with that job are not my desire’.

In truth Mark was hoping that a ‘big’ London club would be interested in his ability. The rumours and his name had been linked with several clubs over the final weeks of the season. The fact that his name was being linked proof that his talent had been spotted by others. Carolyn Smith had several conversations suggesting as much. But to date there had been nothing concrete to consider and Mark had tried to ignore the background noise as he focussed on the WSM promotion hunt.

Bliss was taken aback and hurriedly tried to make contact with this Sunderland counterpart. He knew that Mark now officially a club manager and with two years under his belt had become hot property. WSM’s manager’s name had been mentioned so many times when club vacancies arose. Man City had certainly been interested and at the time rejected by Mark. Sunderland would’t be the last to express an interest in his manager but he hadn’t expected Mark to be so hostile to a move to a sleeping giant.

It was too late Quinn had left for the day and probably was on already on his way southwards. Mark would now have to meet with Quinn despite his reservations.

Since the arrival of Roy Keane and Quinn himself to Sunderland the club had spiraled to if anything to an even greater low.

With Dave Jones the latest high calibre to give the club a go and fail. Jones hadn’t even survived one season at the helm. The pressure for results had grown to hot to handle.

Looking at the internet gossip Peter Taylor was the favorite for the post and Mark was somewhat relieved to find his name no where near being linked to the vacancy.

Sunderland had spent the money brought to the club by the new investors and had bought themselves flirtation with relegation two years in succession. With clubs like Plymouth getting into the Premier League spending little or no money to do so, Sunderland had blown the transfer market apart and found that all that glitters wasn’t gold.

Scraping past the relegation door on goal difference on the last day of the season had finally seen the demise of Jones. The fans had had enough of failure and the board quickly moved to resolve the situation.

They had no money in the kitty and would need to keep the faith with the current squad or trawl through the free transfer options looking to improve the season ahead.

It wasn’t going to be pretty for whoever took over the rains and based on opinion the club would need to be torn apart and rebuilt from scratch. Progress would be a slow and this would add further angst to the scenario.

Despite his reservations about the meeting Mark would now informally meet with Quinn at the Hotel Barcelona close to the city centre of Exeter. At least the trip from his home was a short one and hopefully the media would be unaware of their meet up. Carolyn Smith threw her rattle out of the pram on hearing the news. ‘Niall left a message for me earlier but I was in a meeting and didn’t get chance to ring him back. Paul shouldn’t have done anything without my say so but it won’t hurt to listen to the man and hear what everyone else is thinking about you Mr Ostrich man’. As they chatted on the phone Carolyn had already made a detour and was on her way to the south west. Despite the fact that her diary was full it would have to all be rescheduled.

Forget the soapstar awards ceremony, Exeter was the place to be on a Wednesday night in May.

If there was deal to be done and if Mark should be persuaded to move on then she would ensure the best deal was done for everyone.

After being soothed by Caroline, Mark was in a better frame of mind and had decided, perhaps persuaded was the better word that talking to Sunderland may well be in his best interest.

It wouldn’t hurt to listen to what Niall Quinn had to say.

Shock and awe really had been the order of the day.....

[markyt]

Carolyn was loitering in the foyer of the hotel as Mark arrived in the car park. After locking the car door he joined her for a snatched conversation before they both were escorted by a receptionist to a conference room deep within the hotel. Already ensconced into the room and deep into conversation were the Sunderland team led by Niall Quinn. Once the introductions were completed both parties sat down on opposite sides of the board room style table and the process of sizing each other up commenced.

Niall and Mark knew each other well having played against each other on numerous occasions although they rarely squared up against each other on the pitch. However Mark always seemed to find himself marked by Quinn when Chelsea were attacking the ball at a corner and probably still had the bruises to show for their struggle to get something on the ball.

The meeting quickly moved onto Sunderland and their vision for the future. All of the latest gadgets were utilised on a huge screen which detailed the clubs history, the vision for the future and the clubs revenue streams. It was obvious that the Sunderland delegation were desperate for their club to return to their rightful position at the top table. Professional throughout they had no problem selling Mark the dream.

Unfortunately there was no hiding the plain truth that faced them head on. Without immediate investment the club whilst secure and without the shadow of debt looming over them would be forced for the short term to fight for the free transfer players or agree season long loans or worst still sell what remained of the family silver.

The players currently at the club were relatively for the Championship big earners and life would not be easy in just shipping them out of the Stadium of Light. Some were now the wrong side of 30 and those that were obviously of interest to other teams would baulk at paying high prices for careers that were beginning to close. Sunderland were between a rock and a hard place.

The sales pitch was over and the Sunderland delegation moved forwards with their decision and rationale for wanting Mark to join the club. The words made Mark blush as they extolled his ability and that without doubt he was their number one option to manage the club in their difficult days ahead. With 30000 plus fans cheering them on despite their relative league position no one would ever damp their fans fevour or enthusiasm for all things red and white. The mood and pace of the meeting changed and quickened as it galloped to a finale.

Cue a discussion on the money available for transfers an offer to WSM and a contract for Mark himself.

From the WSM side of things they were fairly good in terms of the compensation package being offered.

Paul Bliss had asked for a guaranteed amount and Sunderland in appreciation of their support in allowing them to talk quickly to Mark would almost double that without thought. Mind you that still didn’t amount to much on the salary Richter scale. Transfer funds limited to 100k plus any revenue generated from player sales and a demand to reduce the wages budget. Sunderland had less to spend than WSM.

The wages on offer to Mark at first seemed fair but with one fell swoop Carolyn Smith silenced the meeting and with just a few words almost ended discussions on the spot.

‘Derisory, unacceptable and I suggest that you reconsider your offer or my client walks away right now’.

The Sunderland team went as red as the shirts the club wore each Saturday afternoon. ‘The silence could be sliced with a cake knife.’ Niall Quinn appealed for the two to remain in discussions and that he was sure that they could negotiate a better package for their new manager.

Asking for an hour to reconsider their offer seemed churlish to refuse so Mark and Carolyn found themselves sat in the bar area of the hotel.

Carolyn and Mark talked through the deal.

‘3k per week for you is an insult. The last manager was on 20k plus and bonuses for achievement and that is a fact. I did my homework before arriving this morning.

They should have saved bonus payment this year from their poor performance on the pitch. That should help them bump up the offer to you.’ Mark whistled at hearing the salary offered to the previous Sunderland manager – Even at Premier League level that was a fantastic salary for a manager.

But Carolyn was right the difference between the two incredible. 150k versus a million plus and there had been no mention of a bonus for winning games.

The hour ticked by and became an hour and a half. Carolyn supposedly the calming influence in the deal was close to leading a walkout.

Finally a sheepish Niall Quinn appeared and they both joined him in the conference room. There were no sign of the other Sunderland representatives. Quinn had decided that he wanted to talk in a less formal fashion. He began ‘There is no doubt that we want you and you are our top choice. But by choosing you instead of a household name in terms of a managerial appointment, further investment is likely to be reduced even if the club does well next season. If you are successful and close to the top of the league then the scenario may change but that is not for certain. We can increase the offer to 4k per week but that is the final offer and we cannot find further money. However if the club is promoted then we will look to increase your salary from the minute that promotion is achieved.’

Carolyn was silenced but this was more in shock and pure anger that the offer had not been upped dramatically.

She left Mark do the talking.

‘Niall forget the money. You need the right manager to take your club forward. You said it yourself that the right man will bring investment. I may be your top choice but obviously do not have the support of your potential investors or a big’ enough name to take over. Based on what I’ve heard today thankyou for talking to me it is truly impressive opportunity for the right manager but I’m afraid there is no deal to be done.

I stress it is not about the money on offer.’

Niall Quinn admitted defeat and the two shook hands and said they’re goodbyes. Mark wasn’t surprised when later that week that Peter Taylor had been appointed their new boss and laughed when Carolyn quoted his salary. 4k per week was pocket money for the new Sunderland manager and good luck to him. Hopefully Taylor would bring the success to the club that the fans deserved.

Mark received a text the same day from Quinn wishing him well and a message stressing that Sunderland had missed out on the next big thing..... investors were calling the shots without a shadow of a doubt.

[markyt]

Carolyn sat quietly in Mark’s office at the ground. She had been through the proposed contract several times and after several amendments and the paperwork bouncing between WSM and her office this was effectively the final version. Key stipulations about immediate release for the right club and the compensation package that would complete that process were now watertight as was the guaranteed release of funds for player transfers. Mark’s salary at WSM was a million miles from the Sunderland offer but this was about playing the longer game. Carolyn had been angry after the Sunderland meeting but after some reflection recognised that Niall Quinn had done everything in his power to make the deal. It just wasn’t to be. But Sunderland was no where near London and the bright lights of the capital still remained the priority for the future.

Carolyn glanced up at Mark who had been talking on the phone whilst she reviewed the contract paperwork. He was in full flow and full of enthusiasm for the work ahead. Deals had been put in place for his transfer targets and players appeared to be winging in from all over the country. Players wouldn’t just sign up to the cause without understanding the club’s vision and rightly so. Most would have families and the upheaval had to be right for everyone. She could tell by Mark’s face that transfer dealings were going well. There was still time for deals to fall flat but at least clubs appeared to be talking numbers and numbers that Mark obviously felt were realistic.

At least the ‘Western who?’ had stopped when Mark had made his initial phone call enquiries into players availability. With WSM now a league team people had a greater awareness of the club. Coming off the phone Mark grinned and winked at his agent. Mark Kerr and Guy Bates were flying down on Friday to have a look around after deals and prices were agreed. 38k for Kerr and 12k for Bates agreed but wages and personal terms still to be agreed so whilst positive signs there was nothing yet certain.

Midfielder Grant McCann and keeper Jonny Brains were also coming for an initial look around over the weekend.

Both would cost WSM close to 50k each and demand decent wages to match but with WSM going full time and having a decent wage budget and currently a sparse squad of player’s terms shouldn’t be too hard to negotiate. Mark had cleared the decks to purchase quality with a demand to purchase players he could build as the spine of the team adding the likes of current first teamers Walker, Benyon and Newbold hopefully into a formidable league outfit.

Paul Bliss had already commenced the search for new staff and had finalised the details with Kilgour and Miller’s exit. Both were on gardening leave whatever that meant…. And scout Houghton was on his way to a new club with 2k as a softner.

It would take time to find suitable staff but Mark had set a very specific job spec and was prepared to wait for the right people but was confident the right candidates would be with the club in time for the new season.

With as much razzmatazz as possible Mark signed a new three year deal in front of the expectant media.

The cameras clicked as he signed his name on the dotted line. Moments later Lee Sawyer followed suit making the event a double celebration.

Plenty for the press to get excited about before the grilling of Mark and why the mass exodus of both player and staff plus who were the expected new faces for the season ahead. 30 minutes later Paul Bliss called a halt allowing Mark and Sawyer to be photographed pitch side holding the white shirt of WSM.

The reinforcements were beginning to arrive……

[markyt]

A ‘One Kerr’ signs for WSM screamed the headline on the front page of the Western Mercury.

A lovely choice and play on words which could have been so much worse especially when he had also splashed some of his transfer cash on Guy ‘Bates’. The clever headline appeared in the tabloids days later although most readers would miss the actual meaning…. Mark Kerr and Guy Bates both from the Dundee sides were signed for 50k with add ons for goals and promotion if achieved.

Their wage demands had been realistic and with WSM now in the 2nd division nothing out of the ordinary at that level. Bates had finished the season as the top goalscorer in the Scottish first division and Kerr rescued from the reserves. Both were tremendous assets and their signing and parading in the white shirt of WSM a sight for Mark to drool over. Neither well known to WSM supporters and despite praising them to the high heavens most supporters would not have heard of them before their arrival at the club. Mark hoped that their ability on the pitch would change all of that.

The swoop for new players continued at a frantic pace. Jonny Brains, Grant McCann followed the Dundee pairing in joining the newest football league club.

Mark finalised two free transfers for the two younger players identified by Lee Houghton’s Scottish search. Mark trusted Houghton’s judgement but was worried that Houghton at his new club could tip the wink and he moved to seal the deals. Craig McKeown from Clyde and Graham Gibson from Partick Thistle were soon pictured wearing white. In the week since the play off final WSM had already brought five new faces to the club in addition to the three players signed in the Spring.

The five plus the two Stafford lads and Michael Charles from Farnborough would all add value to the team from the conference season. If WSM were to truly arrive and make their mark on the 2nd division each of them would play their part.

Mark’s workload seemed to increase despite the season being over. However he made time to fly to Holland to watch Chelsea in the Champions League.

Chelsea emerged 3:1 victors over Barcelona and the party lasted long into the night. Half cut and just about able to stand the old Chelsea reunion party of Vialli, Wise, Poyet, Di Matteo, Hasslebaink and Mark sang their way to bed. Mark was probably the most sober of the group.

This hadn’t been planned but Mark needed to catch the first flight out of Rotterdam in the morning and with only a couple of hours sleep had decided not to go overboard at the bar. Post match Mark celebrated with the others as if he had won the cup himself. Having been a lifelong supporter of the club he felt as if he had the right to bask in the glory as any fan that had witnessed the ‘blues’ at their very best that night. Mark dreamed of managing players of the caliber of Lampard, Terry and Essien let alone testing himself against the very best managers in both England and Europe.

The lights of the premier league may be bright but they were a million miles away from the reality of WSM in the 2nd division.

Still lots to do before the well earned rush for the sun and his Florida vacation. In the week or so left he hoped to sign 3 or 4 new faces and dependent on interest begin to focus on the backroom team for the season ahead. Pre season friendlies were also to be discussed and arranged but Mark whilst hoping to persuade Chelsea to come down to the West Country had been politely turned down. But he had managed to persuade Man Utd and Tottenham reserve to make an appearance. Although not the first team for either the reserves would be well known and many would be full internationals. More fixtures needed to be added to the calendar but a great start had been made and the sooner a new assistant manager appeared to take on some of his workload the better.

[Hot Dog]

Markyt - This has to be one of the best, most well-written stories on the forum at the moment. The content is superb, the style leaves me wanting to read the next instalment before you've written it!

However, I have one tiny criticism and being a resident of the town and following their real life current footballing MISfortunes, it irritates me every time I see it -

It is WESTON-super-Mare, not WESTERN-super-Mare.

The "WESTON Mercury" not the "WESTERN Mercury"

Please take it in the spirit this is meant Markyt, editorial accuracy will lead to my vote for the story of the year - Hell, your story even inspired me to throw my own managerial hat into the ring at Woodspring Park - just to see if I could do any better!!

Keep on writing mate, I'm sat on the edge of my seat!! - Good Luck

[markyt]

Thanks Hot Dog for your support and extremely constructive comments.

Call it laziness on my part, call it ms word correction…..

but after managing Weston-Super-Mare for the past 7 months on FM2007 and 12 months or so on FM 2006 it is a spelling mistake that I has bypassed me completely. Western / Weston Doh!

I am going for accuracy in my story as well as making it as interesting a read as possible so your comments are very much appreciated. I have tweaked the writing style and have grown in confidence as the story has progressed and have 15 months worth of storyline drafted.

Hopefully I will be able to keep you on the edge of your seat for some time to come as the roller coaster ride will continue at Woodspring Park for the foreseeable future. However Mark and his newly assembled back room staff are ready for life in the 2nd division and the challenges that will face them throughout the season.

Unfortunately my next update will be at the weekend. Hope you can wait till then for the next installment….

[Nosnia]

Cracking story, you have insired me to start writing my own FM story.

I check back at least twice a day to make sure I get the latest update. I really can't wait until the weekend to read the next installment. I got back from my honeymoon 2 weeks ago and read all the parts pasted while I was away straight away. The missus wasn't happy as I hadn't even help unpack.

KUTGW and being a Cardiff City fan, Campbell will be useless if he was like he was in real life. 1 goal in a play-off final will be all he will be remembered for.

[Hot Dog]

Markyt - looking forward to the next instalment, it will be extremely interesting to see how Mark and his team of Seagulls survive in the 2nd Division.

Going off on a tangent slightly, I know that the formation Mark has been favouring so far has been 4-4-2, has the "style" evolved as the team have had back to back promotions and how will life in a higher division with better teams effect the tactics used? Will they go for direct football, keeping it tight at the back, or gamble with a more expansive short passing game?

It's interesting to see the new personnel arriving at Woodspring, are the tactics dictating the players targeted (bearing in mind Mark's footballing background) or are they being slotted into a pre-determined pattern of play?

I know I will have to wait for the story to unfold, but I'm keen to hear your thoughts!

[markyt]

Apologies for the delay in the update….

Nosnia apologies to your new wife as well….

Good luck with your own story. I shall watch out for it and read with interest. As for Mr Campbell I was interested in doing a deal for him to arrive at WSM but he ‘felt’ that the club couldn’t match his aspirations so the door closed. He went onto bang 15 goals in the 2nd division for Lincoln so in the right team he will do the business.

Hot Dog – Good luck with WSM. Having been with the old C Man series since 1992/3 season on the Amiga 1200+ days it’s only the last couple of years that I have stayed away from my usual fav’s Rangers, Plymouth or trying to revive a sleeping giant but why WSM?

I bought curtains at Dunelm Mill in an out of town store in WSM and somehow passed the ground itself as I got completely lost looking for the store. Fate delivered WSM to me so to speak….. but in truth I actually get more from the ‘game’ playing and starting from the lowest level. My depth of football / player knowledge widens as a result. A win win scenario for me.

As for my story – I must thank flipsix3 for being my inspiration in ever starting to write in the first place.

………….

After a day of interviewing prospective assistant managers and coaches Mark was about ready to jump out of the window. The usual ‘nobby know it alls’ had appeared and they were dispatched with a size eleven boot up their backside as soon as was politely appropriate. With just a couple of interviews remaining in the day the day itself looked like a forlorn hope and that he would have to go through the whole process again.

Thoughts of delaying his holiday were becoming more prominent as the clock ticked in time with his downbeat mood. Paul Bliss had been involved in the selection process and he too had been disappointed with the calibre of candidates and at times had tried hard not to yawn as the candidates droned on about how wonderful they were and what they would do for the club.

On paper many were ideal but in the flesh they were not going to work with Mark and many just weren’t ‘Weston’ style people. Many hadn’t even researched the club before actually pitching up for the interview. Unforgivable from Mark’s point of view and their lack of insight and knowledge ensured a swift and brutal wrap of the interview. Many seemed to think that their career records alone were all that mattered. WSM would have been just another job…..

It takes just 5 seconds for a person to make an impression in an interview and many didn’t need that long as Mark had already marked their application form with a big X pretty much before they said anything.

Bliss could see the x being scrawled across the paper and several times had to stop himself doing a Simon Cowell and having them thrown out for being less than average.

During the interview one question that Mark threw each of them was itself becoming a ‘64 million dollar question’. No one could answer it correctly and Bliss just raised his eyes upwards as they blindly ambled down the wrong road. Was the big prize going to rollover for another week?

The question…..

‘Have you achieved the best work possible so far in your career?’ blank faces and a couple of yes answers but no one had really hit a home run with a stunning answer in response. What Mark wanted from someone was a resolute no… that’s why I’m here, to learn to improve and to work even harder to prove my ability…..

But no one had even come close.

The last two interviews were two local guys. Both from no league Taunton Town and presented themselves as a ‘joint’ package. Asst Manager and coach and the benefit of working together impacted well on their interview. As they wanted to work together again Mark decided to interview them simultaneously. Of course if they were not suitable in one stroke of genius he would cut the interviewing process by at least one hour especially if they were a 'gruesome twosome'. The different approach worked straight from the off. The two bounced off each other during the long interview and their enthusiasm for the game easily on a par with Mark’s. The two had done their homework and knew their subject matter off pat and what’s more smacked the big question ‘Viv Richards Somerset’ style for six.

Mark instantly had a rapport with the two unknowns and the one hour interview stretched to two.

The two knowing that things were going well even suggested bringing along a third person from the Taunton ranks, a fitness dedicated coach.

Mark nodded to Bliss as the two talked complete sense and the fitness coach was something he had already written into the WSM blueprint. In just over 120 minutes Mark had effectively recruited three new faces.

Wayne Jacobs, Ian Atkins and Ed Baronowski became AM, coach and fitness coach accordingly.

Baronowski literally dropped everything to talk to Mark at the ground at the crack of dawn on the following day. 20 minutes later he joined the new WSM backroom staff.

Bliss smoothed the Taunton waters promising decent compensation although it amounted to very little and a future friendly thrown in for good measure.

The news got even better on the backroom staff as later that day Mark recruited a fourth person from the local area. Tiverton Town scout Danny Jenkins was the final piece in the jigsaw.

All were from the South West and their affinity to the area could only benefit WSM in its future progress and one of the key aims of the club of not forgetting it’s local roots….

One became four and the 'shock and awe programme was officially at an end.

[markyt]

Hot Dog

Mark favours 4-4-2 but it is not as rigid a formation as perhaps suggested in the story so far. I will try to add some more tactic detail as the story progresses. At times when the going is good WSM almost become 4-2-4 with the left and right sided midfielders playing in very forward positions.

In addition left and right backs break forward and at least 4 in the box to aim for.

The style of football will remain pretty much the same with the pace of the front two always looking to exploit the defensive frailties of the opponent.

A quick pass into space will therefore always be a WSM ploy. Midfield wise however there will be a change for life at the 2nd division level. Defensive midfielder Mark Jermyn has been moved on allowing for a more potent attacking midfield combination. However players such as Sam Bailey despite his regular aberration at the back remain ever important. Quite often when WSM are struggling we will go to three at the back and Bailey moves into midfield usually to help shore up the middle of the park. This season when he does move forward it will allow the attack minded midfielder to move up between the strikers. As for new personnel arriving, yes the tactics chosen are dictating the style of player being targeted but as the quality of player improves the tactics are enhanced. Lee Sawyer’s arrival from Chelsea is for the club’s long term future.

.............

Mark deliberately kept the foot to the floor in his search for new players. With the WSM squad decimated by his own hand the pressure was on to find the right players for life in the second division and to make sure the squad was deep enough with the quality to more than survive when the going got tough.

In the previous two seasons this had always been the clubs handicap. The first team virtually picked itself but the ‘squad’ of back up players was always limited.

The major worry that ex WSM scout Lee Houghton was somewhere in the background waiting for the opportunity to steal someone from his detailed player list the key driver for his frantic pace. At least there was comfort that his new backroom team would be available to start work on the first day of training scheduled for the 21st June. Now all of the pressure was on him and him alone. Failure to turn his targets into WSM players something that would keep him awake for nights on end.

Lee Houghton and Mark himself had targeted all of the clubs close to the 2nd division play off hunt. In particular the teams that just missed out on the final would be of the greatest interest. In amongst those teams Mark was certain that clubs would signal a mass clearout as they regrouped for the season ahead.

The real stars would move onwards and upwards and they were priced way beyond WSM’s budget anyway.

With the play off dream over for Bury and Stockport the two clubs became Mark’s hunting ground.

Each had been heavily scouted over recent weeks as WSM’s own dream had burned alive. Both Bury and Stockport had large numbers of players featuring on his exacting shortlist. It was a certainty that more clubs than WSM would be interested in the documented targets. However with WSM’s immediate future sealed it and sealed early in May it allowed Mark to take the quantum leap of actually starting to thrash out deals especially as the money promised had come to fruition.

With his summer break just days away he flew into Manchester with Bliss and after installing themselves in the airport’s Thistle Hotel starting dealing with both prospective clubs. In some respects Mark felt like a ghoul raking over the ashes of ‘clubs dreams’ that had only just themselves been extinguished.

The ashes were still hot as the poker raked hard and negotiated the best deals possible. With money being tight at the lower league level many clubs had left players contracts to all but run out. Short term deals were the order of the day and with promotion hopes destroyed the timing of any club flashing cash for players too much for many club chairman. Across the divisions huge numbers of players were being released or being sold for limited money. Some money was better than none the basis for chairman and club thought.

Bury and Stockport would be no different…..

From Stockport he and Bliss haggled before agreeing and finalising five transfers. After a day’s lengthy negotiations everything had been agreed with the five although pen to paper was not yet a formality. Each prospective player would need the WSM tour but at least everything had been agreed if they were ultimately said yes to the move. The fact that Mark was so heavily involved in the player transfer process helped to smooth the wheels of progress. Not many former England captains knocked on their doors asking for them to join his club. His profile had certainly been a deciding factor in one or two cases.

The Stockport five were midfielder Robert Bayley, left back Adam Griffin, right sided midfielder Graeme Holmes, and left sided midfielder come striker Alex Rhodes.

There had been tentative enquiries about Stockport’s Ian Sharps and Adam Le Fondre but either too much money was required or in Le Fondre’s case a coveted asset wasn’t for sale whatever the money offered. Mark whilst delighted with his ‘famous five’ as the Weston Mercury happily proclaimed next day now had a major problem.

Sharps had been the centre back he felt would make the difference as WSM made their entry into the division.

Experienced and an organiser of the highest class Sharps had left him a huge hole to fill and there was no alternative to fall back on.

The lack of a scout would now haunt resolution in this area. Stockport were rubbing their hands in glee at the sale of five players. They weren’t star attractions at the club but from Mark’s detailed scout reports they were the ones that would help to take WSM forward to the next level.

Before leaving for the airport and the short flight home next morning the WSM duo finally completed a deal with Bury namely for David Buchanan. Buchanan was a younger version of WSM talisman Scott Walker. Too many times WSM had suffered from inadequate cover on the left for Walker and Buchanan more than fitted the bill. There was no doubt that Adam Le Fondre at Stockport was the finished article but at 500k way out of reach for most clubs . Buchanan at 33k with significant extras added if both player and WSM were successful was much more than a lightweight replacement for Walker.

A seemingly never ending two days followed as all six players finally signed up to the WSM cause. There had been a wobble or two along the way but Mark and Bliss working in tandem ensuring it was only a wobble....

All of the transfer money available to him was now spent.

In total he had blown 242k on a new team. Time would tell if this investment had been worth the energy and effort over a 6 plus month period. With the ink still wet on the final cheque and no money left in the cookie jar Mark still had gaps in the team and squad to consider.

He had no choice but to trawl the ‘free’ transfer market of players either released by clubs or out of contract.

Centre of defence remained a nagging doubt but as the wheels of the plane left the runway Mark breathed a sigh of relief. Pretty much all of his plans had been brought to a finish and just in the nick of time.

He would have 8 weeks to add and blend the new recruits into the WSM mix. His ability and that of his new backroom ‘team’ would be tested to the limit but as he relaxed a huge grin appeared on the ex Chelsea man’s face as he said aloud ‘I love it when a plan comes together’.

All he needed was a giant cigar to complete the image.

Cigar or no cigar he now had his ‘A team’………………………..

[markyt]

Supposedly being on holiday is a time for relaxation and a time that you leave work behind. This was no longer the case for Mark especially as he had lots of loose ends to tie up prior to pre season training late June. Cutting the time out of the country to just over three weeks he still had no option but to spend an hour a day either on the phone or accessing the internet and reading his bulging inbox on outlook.

As per usual he had bolted for Orlando and the guaranteed sunshine of the Florida state. Despite being recognised almost everywhere he went most people left him alone recognizing he needed time out with his family. The Americans didn’t have a clue who he was so at most of the fun parks he blended in quite nicely and with his baseball cap on and with his family by his side he would often go by people before they could indeed confirm the fact that it was him.

He had booked a hotel for the duration of the stay instead of the option of a villa. Two reasons for the step change this holiday were the ease of internet and connectivity from a 5 star hotel and the hotel chosen close to Sea World would show the Euro Championship 2008 games in the lounge area. He would be away for all of the group matches and the quarter finals but should England make the semi’s he would be back home.

England were in a tough group including Italy, Germany and Russia but the odds seemed to suggest they would be certain to progress to the quarters. England had flown through qualifying but the football was anything but the dominant force expected and manager Steve McClaren had clearly not won over his detractors who seemed to be growing more volatile by the day.

Mark was certain that if England emerged and progressed from the group stages they would be rightly considered as tournament favourites. The same had to be said for Italy and Germany.

Hopefully he would be left in peace to watch the games but he was aware that he would be unlikely to be the only one keen to watch the games.

The 5 hour time difference would move the games to the middle of the day and he had already asked in advance for a couple of games to be recorded so that he could watch them ‘live’ at a less family oriented time of day. It would easy to avoid the scores as most of the USA just couldn’t get interested in ‘soccer’. Perhaps the arrival stateside of a global soccer superstar would help the game but even the most likely name, Beckham with links to the US via his soccer schools, would be at the later stages of his career if he did arrive at all.

Late night conversations in England were late afternoon for Mark and this allowed him to keep up to speed with progress at the club at regular intervals. The two main contacts were Paul Bliss and to his agent Carolyn Smith. Paul Bliss was only too happy to update Mark on club progress. Season ticket sales were going to reach an all time record and with the backroom and player sales confirmed could concentrate on the business side of the club. A new sponsor had signed up to the club success story and they were the tourist board linked to the local council. With the white shirts of the seagulls now parading all over the country they saw the opportunity to promote Weston Super Mare in all its glory. The team bus would also be decaled accordingly. The additional revenue would help the club with additional running costs for life in the 2nd division as the club had turned fully professional since its arrival to league football. Positive news with regards to the training ground was happily bounced over the Atlantic. All was on schedule for the upgrade and apart from snagging everything would be ready for the players return from their holiday. This was especially important for the new arrivals. The upgrade would show them that the club was determined to move forward both on and off the field of play.

The conversations with Carolyn were much more complex. She understood that this was his family time but the conversations were still hard on her. Fortunately she was as busy as ever and despite her wide ranging clientele base she had become immersed in all things football. Her clients needed contracts re-negotiated, moves to complete and despite the lull for Euro 2008 many big transfers were being ground out with increasing urgency. For Mark she had used her contacts to help organise trials for several released players. With her ear to the ground and her network of fellow agents happy to help she had several lined up for pre season start. Central defence remained Mark’s worry but Carolyn had worked miracles already in this area and there would be three or four options for him to consider over two weeks trial period.

The best known was Damion Stewart from QPR. Stewart was available for free but his contract looked a bit rich for Mark’s liking. The player was keen to explore the opportunity and despite knocking on the door of the Jamaican squad wasn’t precious enough to refuse a two week stint at WSM. The others all released by Premier or Championship league clubs would be well worth a look and certainly if they were close to Lee Sawyer’s ability then all the better. Big clubs do let players go, sometimes for their own benefit but clubs such as WSM could really gain from the chance of catching one or two of these players.

Clubs like Crewe were the leaders in this field and had done some very shrewd business over the years but unearthing a potential gem that could be developed and allowed to grow in a less pressured atmosphere a manager’s dream. Mark was no different and after hearing the names and their former clubs was heartened that his potential hole in defence would be filled.

Calmed and relaxed and lulled into Orlando’s pace he took time to enjoy his holiday.

The weather gorgeous the daily activity just enough to take his mind of all things WSM and the shopping experience costly.

The only thing to spoil the fun in the sun England’s Euro 2008 campaign.......

[markyt]

After watching England play some of their best football for some considerable time it was no surprise to see them confidently fly past Italy and Germany emerging 2:1 and 2:0 respectively. Two great wins followed by a return to bad habits squeaking a draw in their final game against Russia. The scoreline 3:3 hid the fact that England had been awful at the back and were lucky to emerge with a draw against the group’s whipping boys. But they had done more than enough to win the group and were joined at the quarter final stage by Italy.

The media were now suggesting that England were odds on to reach at least the semis and with the team fit and raring to go they would next face the surprise package of Switzerland.

Mark’s holiday was almost at an end and with the hotel barely half full he found himself the only one watching the England versus Switzerland quarter final match in the hotel lounge. Alone that was until he was interrupted by an Australian accent. ‘G’Day mate what’s the score?’ Mark who had been totally engrossed in the close match turned in the direction of the voice and was surprised to be looking at a recognizable face. Tennis star Lleyton Hewitt with his family in tow had heard the football blaring from the tv lounge and had come to investigate. Mark thought that Hewitt’s wife was someone he had met before but couldn’t place the face.

After a brief hello the football match became their focus of attention.

Shortly afterwards Mark’s wife Claire joined the grouping and quickly started chatting to Hewitt’s wife. She was someone from an Australian soap apparently but Mark didn’t have a clue which one as they always looked the same. With the two women happy to talk to each other they left Mark and Hewitt to watch the football. Hewitt’s knowledge of the game was pretty good and the conversation flowed despite the intensity of the game. During the half time break Hewitt and Mark introduced themselves properly and chatted easily. Football was always a great icebreaker. Hewitt explained he was taken a break whilst he recovered from a wrist injury and that he was a professional tennis player. Mark laughed before replying ‘yes, that just happens to be in the top 3 in the world’

Hewitt wasn’t sure if Mark knew much about tennis or had even recognized him. Mark felt some sympathy for the guy. Playing in a sport that recognized the individual perhaps as a footballer he was the luckier of the two men. ‘I used to be a professional footballer and kind of understand the pressure you must face on a daily basis but perhaps its easier when you are part of a team’. Hewitt nodded in agreement.

The second half kicked off and Hewitt turned to Mark and casually asked ‘who for?’

‘I’m sorry’ responded Mark ‘who for what?’

Who did you play for? Asked Hewitt again….

Mark paused as Frank Lampard lashed the ball goalwards bringing out an excellent save from the Swiss keeper, ‘Chelsea and England but that was years ago now I’m manager now for Weston Super Mare’ Hewitt shook his head. ‘Chelsea and England I’ve heard of course but WSM naaa you got me there mate’. Mark looked at Hewitt before a grin broadened across his face ‘you will mate you will’

The second half ground down to game of cat and mouse with neither team brave enough to go full out for the win and with the 90 minutes almost up England succumbed to a late killer goal. Rooney trying to do it all himself lost the ball and from the resulting counter attack Paul Robinson was picking the ball out of the net.

Rooney lost the plot shortly afterwards and fully earned his second yellow card. It would have made no difference the game was virtually over and England were on their way home. England had been as bad as they had been good in the early group games. They had flattered to deceive yet again at the highest level.

McClaren was quickly labeled ‘Ronald McClaren’ by the press and paid the price of failure by resigning from the England job just 24 hours later. With the game over Mark and Hewitt chatted for another hour or so before going their separate ways. Hewitt promised to look out for WSM when he was next in the UK and if the wrist was better that would be very soon indeed. The two swapped numbers and promised to keep in touch. Later Mark discovered that Hewitt and his wife were effectively posh and becks of Australia.

Both were nice people and Mark had enjoyed the sportsman’s company. Time would tell if they ever met up again……

The holiday was over and in true tennis terms it had been ‘ace’ but now time to go to work.

Pre boarding Mark picked up a message on his mobile phone. It was from Paul Bliss.

‘Hi Mark, hope you had a great time but I thought I’d leave a message on your phone to tell you I have a big surprise for you when you get back. You won’t believe it. You probably on your way home now but I have some really good news for you...’

Mark switched the phone off and after sitting in his seat on the large Virgin Atlantic airplane began to wonder what surprise awaited his return....

[markyt]

Landing at Gatwick airport in the early hours of Sunday morning and after collecting bags from the carousel Mark and his family eventually made their way through customs and out to the car park. Within minutes of driving away from the car park and navigating his way around the Gatwick ringroad Mark’s phone clattered into life.

It was Paul Bliss. ‘Hi Mark, good flight? Did you get the message I left you on the mobile?

‘Paul, yes just as I was about to board the plane and it kept me awake all night so it had better be worth staying up for...’

Bliss laughed ‘I know its early but I thought you would like to hear the news straightaway. I have signed a player whilst you were away’.

Bliss paused for full effect and waited for a response.

‘You have done what?’ Came the reply he had fully expected and with the tone of shock he had been hoping for.

Bliss chuckled as he imagined Mark’s blood pressure rising at the thought of players being signed without his involvement.

‘Paul, who have you signed? You wouldn’t be laughing and by the sound of you obviously grinning like a Cheshire cat with news like that if it wasn’t someone from my short list... either that or you are a very brave man’ Silence echoed across the line before Bliss confirmed the name. ‘Ian Sharps’

‘No way, how on earth did that happen?’

Bliss explained that Ian Sharps had decided that with the sale of a number of players at Stockport it was a sign that the time for him to move on had arrived. He was also annoyed that he hadn’t been made aware of the approach by WSM and that he no longer wanted to play for Stockport. Stockport were now in a difficult hole with a player clearly unhappy with his situation and wanting away.

There was only one team interested in Sharps and with Sharps determined to join up with former colleagues at WSM not much room for maneuver. Not wanting to create friction during their pre season preparations with a player not wanting to be there they had no choice but to move him on and quickly. One phone call to Paul Bliss and the chain reaction had started.

Mark whistled ‘Paul, how much did he cost? Where did you get the money from?’

‘5k with further payments spread over 18 months plus a little bit for making 40 appearances... with the huge uplift in season tickets, new sponsors and increased TV revenue we found the money and have increased the wages budget marginally just in case a couple of these traillists are of interest to you. Speaking to Carolyn I think there are 5 or 6 due to arrive tomorrow afternoon’.

After closing the call Mark looked across to his wife and grinned. ‘We need to go on holiday more often, just look what happens when we go away....’

As Mark reduced the distance between Exeter and Gatwick he had also quickly arrived at the conclusion that Carolyn Smith must have been somewhere in the background with Sharps sudden decision to move.

Pre season now less than 24 hours away was getting more exciting thought by the minute.

(Not sure why with FM 2007 when negotiating transfers clubs prefer less money than that originally offered spread over long periods but hey it all helps...)

[markyt]

Mark with the jet lag impacting heavily had been at his desk for over three hours before finally arriving at the newly upgraded training facilities. Several players were already wandering around having a look at the considerable changes to the training ground since they had last been together. First day back and Mark had asked them all to be there for 11am and as he himself looked around the upgraded facilities was very impressed with the final result. WSM had arrived both on and off the pitch. Traillists were due after lunch for a separate session but it was a chance to assess the players and to go through all of their pre season checks.

Of course there were introductions to me made. Wayne Jacobs, Ian Atkins and Ed Baronowski had already held a meeting with Mark earlier at Woodspring Park before making the journey themselves to the training facilities. The new backroom boys were keen to get started and Mark happy to watch them put the lads assembled through their paces. The first ‘management’ meeting all about responsibilities and the action plan for the pre season programme. To be fair to the three they had already done their homework and their training programme for pre season much enhanced from previous years. They had clearly listened to Mark’s thoughts in this area and developed the plans accordingly. Clever additions such as the Kermit decaled bib for the ‘muppet of the day’s training session just adding the finishing touches to a fine piece of work. The banter on that first morning good and with no one reporting back injured the first session enjoyable for all.

Within hours the new ‘team’ supporting him felt good already and it already felt as if they had worked together for months instead of just a few hours.

The most noticeable factor on this first day of training was the significant lack of WSM player numbers. Even 5 asides would have caused much thought unless the under 18’s were brought into consideration. With the release of so many at the end of the season and with Mark excusing those players due to move elsewhere as deals were completed on the 1st July the morning felt surreal and far too quiet.

The new faces wouldn’t arrive for another week so those initial few days would be a gentle build up of player condition before the serious stuff commenced in earnest. The weather and the hot summer sun added to the buoyant mood of the returning group and just to be able to get back into the old routine something of a pleasure for Mark despite the lack of numbers.

Friendlies had all been confirmed with nine games to feature during July. A mixture of higher calibre teams Manchester Utd, Tottenham, Cardiff, Fulham and Rochdale along with non league Aylesbury, Clevedon, Dawlish and Connah’s Quay. First up would be Manchester United and that game would be a problem for both teams. Scheduled for the 3rd July Mark would need to use the full resources of the club. The new players would have to play some part in that game all limited however to short cameo roles due to the lack of training and a likely fitness gap. Mark would need to use the under 18’s in the game too but with the game at Woodspring Park at least a chance for the new players to be introduced to the crowd. The crowd would be decent because of the opposition despite it being a virtual reserve side but still a great opportunity to formally welcome the newcomers to WSM. Man Utd would have different problems to contest. Most of their squad wasn’t due back until mid July due to Euro 2008 commitments. However they were now without a manager. Steve Bruce without explanation had resigned after an indifferent first season in charge and massive spending on the transfer market. One player alone purchased for £23 million. Rumours had already surfaced that Steve McClaren would be soon in the Old Trafford hot seat. Finishing 11th in the Premier League had not been acceptable to the fans and Bruce had fallen on his sword. Tottenham and Fulham were the other Premier league sides destined for the South West. Neither would bring their first team to Woodspring park but even their reserve players probably all internationals would add a touch of class for the Woodspring Park faithful to view.

After a light lunch Mark left the squad to their first stamina training session and with asst manager Wayne Jacobs by his side went to meet the invited triallists. 7 eager faces met the two as they entered the training ground reception area. Jacobs showed them around and then on to the changing area as Mark took time to peruse the list of names. Damion Stewart from QPR, Liam McMenamin formerly at WBA in particular caught his immediate attention but there were several other youngsters all with big club experience that would certainly be worth a look.

Lee Farrell released by Lewes looked sharp in the initial sessions. After amassing 33 goals in Lewes colours he was looking for an opportunity to move and wanted to realise the dream of league football. Something of Newbold about him and Jacobs was clearly impressed with the enthusiastic triallist. Stewart out of shape and low on confidence would need time and the worry that two weeks may not be enough troubled Mark. Each of them would stay with WSM for the two weeks and then a decision would have to be made.

He had Carolyn to thank for her sterling work in this area. Her wheeling and dealing and probable back scratching elsewhere could well be the difference to WSM’s first season in league football. Success and failure were a fine line to tread and any advantage that would help WSM had to be grasped....

[markyt]

Mark received a phone call from assistant manager Wayne Jacobs just after 9am on Monday 1st July. He was hard at work in his office checking through the season’s fixture details and at last clearing his desk from a mountain of paperwork. Four weeks of inactivity had meant a significant amount needed his attention but finally the desk was clear and the shredder full.

‘Hi Boss, I think you’d better come over to the training ground asap. I know you were coming over at lunchtime but we have a problem!’

From the tone in his voice Mark gathered whatever was happening was something that was out of the ordinary and Jacobs was struggling to cope with the situation.

‘What’s up Wayne?’

‘There’s a media circus going on here and I’m not sure how we handle it?’

‘Alright, keep the players closeted away until I get there.’

Mark grabbed his car keys and within minutes his Porsche had made the short journey to the training ground. What he saw actually even shocked the media savvy WSM boss. Not only were the local tv stations well represented but a score or so of photographers and newspaper journalists in volume in addition to a couple of hundred seagull supporters.

Normally one man and his dog would turn up for a pre season training session but this was ridiculous.

Within minutes of his arrival Mark with the backroom team and the aid of club security guard support calmed the situation offering a solution for all of those in attendance. With the new faces of most interest Mark agreed with the demanding press pack that they would be allowed to film the training session and at lunchtime would have access to any player they wanted. For the fans they would get the first chance to meet their ‘team’ as Mark promised a signing session at 10.00am and agreement that they would be able to watch the session in progress but from behind quickly erected fencing.

Paul Bliss arrived shortly afterwards to see for himself the melee and was quite literally taken back by the volume of people amassed around the training facilities. The new season just weeks away was already surpassing his wildest dreams. Season ticket sales were smashing all records and with shirt and club memorabilia sales growing daily the commercial team were working flat out to keep pace with demand.

With everyone happy with the outcome provided, Mark and his team got on with their day. All of the newly purchased players had actually physically arrived something that had disturbed Mark’s sleep in the early hours of the morning. After going through initial tests with Ed Baronowski all were deemed ‘fit’ enough to join up with training although some confessed to sore hands after the heavy demands from signing autographs. Scott Walker, Sam Bailey, Elliot Benyon, Blake Newbold and Ben Kirk remained the most popular names to collect from the previous season’s team but new keeper Jonny Brains, defender Ian Sharps and striker Guy Madjo were amongst the most sought after signatures from the new recruits.

Training got underway at last and Mark stood on the sidelines as the three backroom boys began their work in earnest. Within hours it was difficult who was old and who was new amongst the squad. Banter and abuse flowed between them. Player bonding always important had started well and the day boded well for the future. With the first game just two days his mind had already started to focus on the team for the Manchester United game. Jacobs joined him on the sidelines and the two discussed the starting eleven for the first pre season friendly.

Mark keen to use the first few games as ‘purely warm up’ games before finalizing the team that would start in their first league fixture. That would mean that 22 players would get a run out for each game with mass substitutions at half time. The last couple of friendly matches before that game would see him play the team that would commence the league campaign and substitutes limited to just three in each game.

With the new arrivals one week behind in training the team picked was fairly predictable and consisted of all of the usual suspects.

Northmore would feature in goal with Wilce, Gillan, Evans and Bailey in defence, Walker, Kirk, Somner and Story in midfield with Newbold and Benyon upfront. For the second half priority would be given to the triallists before any of the players joining the club on the 1st of July would be given an introduction to the WSM faithful.

Mark watched the new players going through their paces. Gavin McCann and Mark Kerr appeared to be closest to match fitness and both had obviously worked hard throughout the close season to maintain fitness levels. Sharps, Madjo and Olaoye looked heavy in comparison but several days of working hard with Baronowski in the July sunshine and a run out in a couple of games would soon bring them back to peak fitness. Looking at the triallists all of whom were all in their final week at the club several were already pushing themselves firmly into contract contention. They would get their chance to impress and prove their ability in two games scheduled for the week. The triallists knew the prize that awaited them. However the better they played against Manchester Utd the more likely the chance of a contact offer.

Clevedon Town the Saturday game didn’t quite have the same kudos as playing against Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville just days beforehand.

With Ian Sharps joining the club there was less pressure for defensive cover and this was clearly adding to the stress of the trial process. But based on his own observations and that from the coaching staff three or four contracts could well be on offer. Two games would decide their fortunes.

Training continued long into the afternoon and by the time Mark was ready to pack up for the day the majority of interested viewers had already departed themselves. Tuesday would see the team begin to work with the ball and organise the tactics for the season. Training drills with the coaching staff would intersperse time on the ball. However Mark would personally become involved during this time allowing him the opportunity to get into the mind of his players and begin to educate them all on the demands and responsibilities of the WSM style of play.

And he couldn’t wait.............

[markyt]

‘Since you been gone

Since you been gone

I'm out of my head can't take it

Could I be wrong

But since you been gone

You cast your spell so break it

Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh

Since you been gone’

The Rainbow song blasted out the tannoy system at Woodspring Park welcoming fans and players alike to the the first pre season friendly. A sellout crowd of 3000 people had arrived on a barmy July night to witness WSM versus a Manchester United. United had brought to the South West a side packed with internationals albeit recognised as their reserve team. Many making up the crowd were either red fans or just curious holiday makers. Peak holiday season had impacted on the number of locals attending. Not that the club would mind who actually made up the bumper crowd and the huge uplift in sales from club merchandise. A clever piece of marketing had created a collector’s item, a programme specially created for the clubs arrival into the league football had been timely produced for the pre season period. All of the new players that had joined WSM on the 1st of July featured along with the WSM players who had achieved so much just weeks before in actually getting the club promoted. Updates on progress off the field and full details of the fixtures for 2008/9 added to the programme’s collect ability. At a tenner a throw the early sales were staggering all adding up to increased finances long term for the club. Paul Bliss wandered around the ground with a fixed grin on his face and it was easy to understand why.

The new players were formally introduced to the crowd as they completed warm up routines.

Most of the names were unknown but within weeks Mark was positive that the seagull fans would have fully embraced them as their own as they all impacted in the league season. Although the ‘new’ players had only been at the club for a couple of days pre season training was already in full swing and players had knuckled down to the hard work required for the first game of the league season just over 4 weeks away. With fitness across the squad at very different levels the first few games would be complicated affairs but after weeks of preparation and the lull between seasons Mark was keen to get the show on the road.

As he watched his team complete their warm up session he heard a voice. ‘Hi Sparky, great to see you again.’ Mark turned and saw Steve McClaren striding towards him. McClaren had only been appointed manager late that afternoon and Mark had not been expecting to see him at the ground.

Neither had he expected two England internationals to be sitting on the bench. Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand had been involved in Euro 2008 but here just two weeks later they were warming the bench at WSM. After stop start seasons due to injury they were hoping to gain from a full pre season programme regardless of their recent appearance for the national team. McClaren looked relaxed and tanned and despite a few verbal’s from the crowd had clearly put behind him England’s early exit from the championship. Chatting together on the sidelines about their individual hopes for the season and excited about the journey ahead the two spoke happily for 20 minutes. After shaking hands and moving to their relative benches the whistle blew clearly and loudly breaking into the still night air signaling the start of the game.

WSM were off and running and with the team regulars from the previous season it was no wonder that they were quickest into their stride. Manchester Utd were pushed back into their own half and although comfortable at the back certainly were struggling with the early tempo of the game and in particular the liveliness of Newbold and Benyon at the spearhead of everything good about WSM play. Newbold brought the first save of the game with a well taken pull down and shot on the turn after being found by a trademark Walker delivery. Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs the elder statesmen for the Manchester United side calmly steadied the ship and as the game entered the halfway stage of the first half they cleverly combined to open the scoring. Neville’s run lost by Wilce and with Giggs pulling off the shoulder of Bailey and leaving him marking fresh air, he found the space and the time to curl a left foot shot past the dive of Northmore. Lovely stuff and the applause across the ground well deserved. Two minutes later and Northmore was picking the ball out of the net again. A poor clearance by Steve Evans was collected by the rampaging Giggs who released a perfect ball for Rossi to place gently beyond the reach of Northmore.

Even Mark had to applaud the second goal. Gigg’s appetite and enthusiasm for the game was incredible.

The second goal sparked him into action. Standing on the touchline his voice clearly heard across the ground as he yelled encouragement to his players. Benyon was the next WSM player to take advantage of rustiness amongst the Man Utd defence. Heinze’s poor back pass was snaffled by the alert Benyon and after striding clear he left the Polish Utd keeper well beaten only to see the ball cannon back off the crossbar and into the keeper’s arms.

With the neutrals expecting goals galore the remainder of the half tailed away to nothing. WSM still perhaps the most purposeful of the two sides but almost at will being carved up on the break by a very, very good side. Two nil down at half time not something to be embarrassed about. Both sides rang the changes and with the WSM fans fearing the worse Rooney made his entrance. Now a global superstar his introduction excited the buoyant crowd further and there was no doubt who was England’s favorite son. The chant’s of Rooney, Rooney echoed around the stands everytime he touched the ball. His ability to find time on the ball incredible to watch despite the close marking assigned to him.

The second half WSM team needed to be introduced to each other let alone the sellout crowd. Only four players from the first half would feature at the start of the second. Seven triallists entered the arena of play as the tannoy announced their arrival with the tune from the Magnificent Seven. Even Mark grimaced at the link.

The Man Utd goal rush failed to materialize. Triallist’s Damion Stewart and Liam McMenamin combined to provide excellent defensive cover ensuring that keeper Northmore had a very quiet 45 minutes. Stewart assured at the back and his excellent distribution of the ball added to his deserved recognition as the best WSM performance on show that night. After a slow start his confidence had been boosted by the welcoming atmosphere at the club and he was now working hard to gain a contract. McMenamin’s performance was also a very encouraging start to life at WSM. He linked well with Stewart in an excellent display at the back quieting the Old Trafford front line. But of the other triallists only Lee Farrell really showed much during the difficult second half. Harrying Rio Ferdinand into making mistakes and missing WSM’s best chance of the game all plus points for his overall performance. Farrell created his chance from nothing and after tackling the labouring Ferdinand dummying the last defender Pique he was one on one with the keeper but chipped the ball onto the roof of the net. A great effort certainly deserving a goal. To be fair to the other triallists the disjointed second half didn’t allow them to show their true capabilities.

With players flagging in the heat and humidity of the evening Mark made four final changes and unleashed four of the fittest new faces. Lee Sawyer in midfield replacing the ever willing Kirk, Madjo and Olaoye upfront and keeper Brains. The game came to a dull conclusion. Man Utd emerged winners but in truth other than two pieces of Giggs magic WSM had acquitted themselves well against high class opposition.

Much to improve upon but at least the cobwebs of match inactivity had been blown away and work on the training ground in the coming weeks would ensure they were ready for the 2nd division opener at Morecambe.

Onwards and upwards to the next match against local side Clevedon Town supposed rivals of WSM.

[markyt]

Manchester Utd home (previous post)

0:2

Mark had been happy to leave the training sessions to Jacobs and crew arriving at the training ground only for the final session prior to the Clevedon game. This enabled him to discuss player fitness and then select the team for the Saturday afternoon game. The time between games had allowed him amongst other things the opportunity to discuss terms with a one of the triallists. Stewart was effectively a QPR player with a two year contract in place. That he was being offered to WSM for nothing despite a transfer value of 100k something of a mystery. But after almost two weeks working hard in training and an excellent performance under his belt during the Man Utd game Mark moved to tie up a deal. Stewart had to lower his sights in terms of the contract he wanted. Bliss and Mark had made an offer which was no where near Stewart’s expectations but the player now had a couple of days to think about it. Mark had wanted to sign him prior to the Clevedon game as he was concerned that another club could step in with a better offer.

For the other triallists the stress of their situation would continue. They would now need to impress against Clevedon or risk leaving the club empty handed. Jamie Phoenix a youngster released by Manchester City and searching nationwide for a new club had already headed for home. Not fit enough to compete or to show his best he had fallen on his sword and headed back to Manchester. FC Utd created after the Glazer Empire had arrived at Old Trafford had offered him a short term deal and with him needing to play games he gratefully accepted. Jacobs in particular was sad to see him go as Phoenix had in training had shown the right work ethic and that he could hit the net from all angles. A two week trial was never going to be enough time for the youngster to really show WSM what he could do on the pitch.

After being updated on training progress and listening to all of the coaching staff on the players themselves Mark selected the team that would play the first 45 minutes.

Brains in goal, in defence Griffin, Evans, Stewart and Somner, midfield Walker, Kirk, Charles and Holmes and upfront Madjo and Olaoye. The players would only get 45 minutes with the second half seeing a completely fresh eleven emerging. The second half would feature all of the remaining triallists giving them just 45 minutes to make further impression and try to gain a contract.

With the teams picked for each half Mark then spent one hour with each of them. Each group of eleven players sat in the summer sunshine listening to the tactics and formation he demanded of his players and the intricacy of each role. Training in the coming weeks would allow Mark and his coaches time to sharpen the work with the players as either a group or as individuals but on the field of play players could actually learn how to work for each other and start the process of gaining knowledge of player movement and position. For the new players there would be much to consider. However with several WSM players of previous seasons playing alongside them the hope that there would be rapid improvement in understanding and that cohesive performances would develop.

After the excitement of the Man Utd game only 1700 fans turned up for the less high profile arrival of Clevedon. The noise level several decibels lower than just day’s before changed the atmosphere of the game itself. With less pressure it was hoped that WSM would turn on the style and quickly establish their superiority over much weaker opposition. The script had been read with WSM charging into a two goal lead before the ground clock had shown even five minutes football played.

Walker as ever was the creator of havoc on the left side of midfield. With Madjo and Olaoye leading the line with some purpose their efforts to make the right run freed up a huge area of space behind them. Ben Kirk and Michael Charles took full advantage. A Walker cross headed down and into the run of Charles opened the scoring. Direct and to the point from the minute it had left Walker’s boot. Charles had made the run and deserved to get onto the Madjo knockdown and his placed shot allowed the keeper no chance. Four minutes 50 seconds and Charles had doubled the score. Madjo and Olaoye were obvious strike partners even though in style they were similar.

Having been together at Stafford their ability to understand each others movement uncanny and after working an effort at goal the rebound fell into Charles’s path and the venomous shot crashed into the net. WSM had played Clevedon in each of Mark’s seasons at the club. 2:0 and 4:0 had been the previous results. The scoreline bettered as the team improved in quality. Fantastic football for the fans to drool over as the flood gates finally opened.

By half time WSM had raced to a 6:0 lead.

Madjo had taken a goal for the effort he had put in. A Kirk through ball had allowed him the opportunity to simply run at the Clevedon back four. Panic ensued and with little or no back lift he curled a peach of a shot into the top right hand corner from around 35 yards. Some goal and some celebration as a double somersault greeted the goal. Olaoye was not to be left out of the goal feast. A Walker free kick met perfectly on the forehead crashed past the despairing Clevedon keeper. Olaoye despite his stature had been left unmarked. Olaoye just stood still arms aloft in the penalty area milking the applause for his first WSM goal.

Holmes on the right wing had found himself on the periphery of the game but after a one two with Charles he found some space for himself on the right wing and knowing that there were two huge strikers waiting for a decent cross delivered perfectly. As Madjo pulled the trigger on a shot he was clearly tugged at from behind.

Penalty given, which was duly dispatched by Walker. Five goals in forty minutes stuff of dreams.

With the whistle about to blow Kirk earned himself a free kick midway between the halfway line and the Clevedon goal. Knowing that time was almost up Walker struck the ball goalwards and watched in amazement as the Clevedon keeper caught out by the bounce of the ball palmed it into the empty net.

The first half had been a perfect workout and now it was time for a fresh team to emerge for the second half. The Woodspring park crowd expected more of the same in terms of goals but as the full time whistle blew the scoreline remained as if stuck on the 6:0 scoreline of the first 45 minutes.

A huge number of chances had been created and Clevedon had shown very little to worry WSM at the back. It had been a one way street with traffic headed for the Clevedon net. But after the dominance and verve of the first half, the second by comparison had been dire. Too many niggling fouls had interrupted the flow of the game and with players trying too hard even the simple things had gone wrong. With trial players dominating the ranks of the second half team even the reliable Kirk, Story prompting much from the midfield struggled to make an impact. Lee Farrell would take the brunt of abuse for the poor second half performance. He had blazed chance after chance wide. Graham Gibson partnering Farrell upfront and making his first start of the season had been the creator of much in terms of chances. But Farrell with an eye for goal had been too selfish to look for better placed colleagues and even though Kirk and Story had words with him during the game his greed and desire to score had overtaken him. WSM should have at least doubled the score. Clevedon had given up as the game had gone on and keeping the score to zero in the second half remarkable. The second half display earned the players a mouthful of abuse and the dreams of several were over…….

After the post mortem had been completed Mark thanked all of triallists for their efforts and released the majority without a second thought. They simply hadn’t made the grade. Only 3 would be formerly offered contracts. Stewart, McMenamin had been superb since joining the club. Over the two matches they had shown plenty to deserve a chance. The biggest surprise of all to see a contract offered to Lee Farrell. Farrell was a rough diamond but Mark and assistant manager Jacobs were convinced that by offering a short contract much of Farrell’s stress and anxiety would disappear and that they would then have a better understanding of the lad’s talent. A contract would allow Farrell time to settle down. A player on £100 per week wasn’t going to break the bank and Farrell would get his chance in a white shirt.

Clevedon home

6:0

[markyt]

Mark sat in his office staring at the ceiling looking for inspiration. Pre season training now in full flow but unfortunately the gradual improvement in player fitness was not manifesting itself where it mattered most, on the pitch. After the recent friendly against Aylesbury the performance in the game nothing short of appalling. Mark had actually lost his voice as he shouted himself to silence.

The players that had joined the club on the 1st of July were a mile off the pace required and whilst there was still plenty of time before the first league game more worrying was the fact that the players wearing the white of WSM were hardly covering themselves in glory.

There were exceptions of course but the lack of a cohesive performance over a sustained period of time troubling.

The lack of match sharpness impacting severely on the ability to deliver the tactics and style of football demanded by the ex-Chelsea man. All made worse by frustration that the team he wanted to put out on the pitch was some weeks away from materializing.

The likelihood that players such as Kerr, McCann brought in to ‘purely’ increase the quality of the side would feature in one or two games at best were fact.

They would not play a full 90 minutes before the start of the season cause for his concern.

With the league season starting on the 2nd of August most clubs with new players would face similar problems. Mark had decimated the promotion achieving team and recruited a squad of new players to add to the spine of his successful side. Frustration grew as he was unable to properly develop the team he had already penciled in for the Morecambe league game.

Neither training sessions nor games themselves would give this satisfaction. Only time and time wasn’t available.

Football and life at WSM had consumed him once more and although he had managed to attend Wimbledon to watch ‘new friend Lleyton Hewitt crowned men’s singles champion’ he eat, drank and watched football. The recent summer holiday seemed months ago and the quickness that he had become so involved with the game incredible.

Aylesbury away had been the most inept performance he had witnessed for some considerable time. It ranked right up there as one of the worst performances from a WSM team under his guidance. He took full responsibility for what happened that evening and despite WSM emerging with a narrow win he took no encouragement whatsoever. From virtually the first minute he had been prowling and growling at the players. As vocal as he had been for some time he could sense that it was going to be a tough night. From the start WSM had been shoddy allowing Aylesbury to storm into a shock lead. Northmore left to fend for himself as the young Aylesbury striker broke through the last tackle and calmly placed the ball through the Northmore’s legs. Bailey’s shrug of the shoulders at the mistake earned him a mouthful.

Just three minutes played and the small crowd of 450 rubbed their hands at the thought of winning against supposed better opposition.

For the remainder of the half WSM at least moved towards the right end of the pitch and with chances being offered spurned left, right and centre Mark could only stare at the players in disbelief. Madjo and Olaoye in particular at fault for overplaying when the simpler option would have been a goal. Dave Buchanan on the left wing about only player to avoid abuse at half time as the ‘seagulls’ trooped off one down. The ranting and raving didn’t stop for 15 minutes during the interval. Players kept their heads down knowing that anyone foolish enough to raise their head above the parapet was likely to be mown down in the crossfire.

The second half display was marginally better than the first although the longer the game the better the play.

The midfield four were now the combination that Mark had dreamt about for most of the summer. Walker, Kerr, McCann and Story.....

The concept of passing to a man in a white shirt a growing one as Kerr and McCann in the centre of midfield made their debuts. At last there was a spark of creativity and WSM began to dominate proceedings as they should have done from the start. Benyon and Newbold amongst the players making their entrance into the game started to fire with the service being provided and within 10 minutes of the restart Newbold racing onto a McCann through ball smashing gleefully home from just inside the box.

The Aylesbury keeper shocked at the ferocity of the shot that whistled past him and in to the net.

With confidence beginning to flow the chances increased in frequency and the hunger and desire of the players to record a win grew in equal measure. But after 75 minutes with the score still deadlocked Newbold shouted across to the bench that he wasn’t feeling quite right and fearing a groin strain was quickly subbed with ‘new signing’ Lee Farrell being thrown on for the last 15 minutes.

With players now familiar with each other, confidence in their ability grew and it wasn’t much longer before they fashioned a winning goal.

Kerr delicately played the ball to the feet of Walker and with a perfect cross served up for Benyon a simple flick on found his strike partner Farrell who volleyed effortlessly home.

Mark voice gone from the shouting would have been silenced by the quality of the goal.

Simple one touch football delivering a goal which provided some light at the end of a very dark tunnel.

The goal helped to paper over the cracks of a disjointed performance but not much else.

Aylesbury – away 2:1

[markyt]

With another three days of training under the belt the next match at Rochdale was a real chance to test themselves against a club from the same league. Rochdale were ever presents in the 2nd division and after years of football at that level a tough proposition for a side struggling for a decent performance. The crowd at Rochdale just over 1000 in number watched two sides equally matched but both trying to find second gear. As with the Aylesbury game the first half was one of grinding the gear box rather than smoothly going up through the gears for Mark’s side and ultimately delivering a performance that was worth the entrance fee.

Whilst WSM had been comfortable rather than stretched by Rochdale during the first half Brains in the WSM goal remained the busier keeper of the two. He was also the keeper picking the ball out of the net on 35 minutes all thanks to Damion Stewarts’s clumsy tackle. The Rochdale game had seen the remaining new faces start a match with Ian Sharps in defence, Griffin at left back, Alex Rhodes on the left wing and finally Guy Bates up front. With Newbold rested and wrapped in cotton wool Bates partnered Benyon upfront and the two formed a promising union. Both with pace to burn they were a frightening proposition for anyone on a hot July afternoon. Bates settled quickly and when served up with the ball in the right area troubled defence and keeper alike.

His first 45 minutes a sign of better things to come. His efforts deserved a goal for touch, movement and sheer pace alone.

Benyon ever keen to be a foil for a willing partner linked well with the new recruit and between them they should have put WSM into a comfortable lead. Bates twice hit the bar and deserved a debut goal for his efforts and a shot from Benyon fell across the line only to be disallowed for an earlier foul. Mark chatting to Jacobs and Atkins on the touchline were all delighted with Bates first start and with the three recognizing that there was still work to do before WSM could be considered ready for the season ahead.

At least the football was starting to shape into something resembling a WSM performance.

Stewart now with contract in hand had played well beside Sharps and the two dealt neatly with everything thrown at them by a direct Rochdale side. A bouncing ball on 32 minutes foxed Stewart and in attempting to clear the ball his over strong attempts felled the diminutive Rochdale forward. A soft penalty but probably a fair decision based on Stewart’s manhandling of his opponent. He had just run over the top of him leaving the Rochdale player in a crumpled heap. An easy decision for the ref. Brains went the right way and despite putting a glove to the ball couldn’t save the penalty. Kirk and Charles in midfield toiled hard and didn’t deserve to go in at the break on the losing side. But WSM were one down and at half time an exhausted and dehydrated team was replaced.

With the change came a performance that at last held some comparison with the dominant WSM side of previous seasons.

The dream midfield of Kerr, McCann, Walker and Story clicked from the whistle and linked with Madjo and Olaoye in attack quickly got to work. Rochdale were suddenly in trouble and forced to defend for most of the second 45 minutes. The class of Kerr and McCann apparent to everyone watching and with them working in tandem in the centre of the park WSM drove forward.

At will Kerr seemed to be able to find the right pass and without the trouble of close man marking he reveled in the space given to him.

Dominant across the field and in full control of the game WSM were getting in amongst the Rochdale ranks and chances were being created at regular intervals but still the equalizer failed to arrive.

As Rochdale slowed in the heat of the afternoon Madjo struck. McCann threw himself into a tackle collected the ball and after beating the immediate marker neatly put the ball into the run of the leggy striker Madjo. Madjo gobbled up the chance and without even looking up or attempting to beat the defender curled a shot inside the post from 30 yards. 80 minutes and all square.

The few WSM supporters making the journey celebrated a fabulous goal and rightly so. It was a superb effort. WSM the better side in the second 45 minutes but despite all of the play and chances galore the scoreline remained level and for all the effort of the second half side the winner just wouldn’t come. For the ‘new faces opportunity certainly knocked’.

Rochdale – away 1:1

FM 2007 and it's other guises never fails to suprise me with its uncanny predictions. Elliot Benyon after a season scoring at non league level joins Torquay on a free transfer 18/6/07.

[markyt]

Three friendlies in the space of the week wasn’t ideal preparation in normal circumstances but when two matched WSM against Premier League clubs and all were home at Woodspring Park well worth the hassle. Paul Bliss particularly excited by the opportunity presented to the club especially with decent crowds expected for all three. Tottenham reserves may not have been the full team but with the likes of Mido, Routledge and Gardner on the pitch then a huge test for WSM against a team full of internationals.

A match against Championship side Cardiff would follow just two days later with Fulham ending the week with some top notch talent on feature.

Juggling the players to make sure each was used to the minimum without over exertion the key to the week. No player would play get to play more than 90 minutes over the three games. Each half of football would represent a taster of the talent and ‘depth’ of squad at the club and hopefully the three games would provide interest for the WSM supporters.

WSM would then quietly move off for further games away from their home turf at Connah’s Quay and Dawlish Town which would finalize the clubs pre season programme. The team would spend a couple of nights away from their home comforts bonding and spending time in each others company. Mark had even hired a local venue for some outdoor pursuit activity smack bang in the middle of remote Dartmoor.

Team bonding was an important part of creating a team spirit at the club and all part of starting the season the right way. The benefits outweighed the costs of staging such an event.

Tottenham Reserves as a fixture generated 1100 curious fans. Four goals served up in just 20 minutes fabulous entertainment for all.

That Tottenham and Mido in particular had destroyed WSM halfway through the first half not the best for either team confidence or morale. Northmore in the WSM goal at fault for three goals as Mido’s pace and power delivered a hatrick inside 15 minutes. Northmore had confidence rocked after the first goal and from that moment his game performance hit a very low ebb. Northmore came out for 2nd minute cross that he was never going to reach especially with the number of bodies in his way allowing Mido a simple flick into an empty net. His mistake started a 20 minute avalanche of goals which the first half team did well to recover from. Northmore knowing he was at fault for the first goal then suffered a series of nightmares. Dropping simple catches, fumbling shots and allowing Tottenham to disappear off into the distance all part of his 45 minutes and the defenders in front of him were clearly panicked by his performance.

Mido grabbed a second on 5 minutes as Northmore dropped a simple catch and the Egyptian international crashed the ball home without challenge from 5 yards. A third from a bobbling shot that seemed to go under the WSM keepers body. Fortunately Sharps and Evans took control of the situation at the back but vocal support from the side steadied the ship and with the central midfield duo of Kirk and Charles closing space down and finally stemming the flow of delivery to the Egyptian. Mido had made WSM look very poor and after grabbing his three goals and Anthony Gardner heading past Northmore from a corner for Tottenham’s fourth the crowd expected WSM to fall apart. But from the ashes of disaster rose a phoenix. Kirk ever determined to do well probably trooped off the pitch at half time man of the first half.

From the rearguard action his character and steely determination began to get WSM moving in the right direction. Madjo on another day would have claimed a hatrick of his own but to be denied by excellent keeping. WSM wide men Brown and Buchanan when given the ball actually delivered into the right areas and despite the gulf in class Tottenham were troubled. As the whistle blew for half time WSM were the better side. A pity that they hadn’t started to play until four down.....

Second half and the WSM side more than matched Tottenham first emphatic 25 minutes with Kerr and Walker helping to earn the WSM side a standing ovation from the gathered fans at the close. Kirk still shaded the best performance for a man in white. Benyon and Bates linked up for the second game in succession and kept Tottenham busy and alert but despite a couple of chances failed to hit the back of the net.

With WSM going forward the passing, procession of the ball and quality of the final delivery enough to provide WSM fans with a glimour of hope for the future. McKeown and Bailey were remained untroubled at the heart of the back four and Brains in goal had nothing to save for his 45 minute period on the pitch.

Had Tottenham tired or perhaps grown bored or were WSM better than the scoreline suggested? The answer to all three questions posed by the press? A definite yes to each one came back from the WSM manager......

That Kerr was going to have a huge impact on WSM’s season obvious to all and if Scott Walker could remain fit then the two together could propel Mark’s side to a decent league position. With a couple of weeks before the first game of the league season everyone was picking their team that would face Morecambe. With this latest performance thrown into the pot no one could yet be certain of that team.

Mark was no different.

Tottenham Reserves – home

0:4

[markyt]

With little or no time for anything else but football Mark spent all of his time on the training ground.

Leaving the bulk of the work to his new and talented and humorously labeled the ‘gruesome threesome’ he allowed himself time with the new recruits. This was the time when he came most alive and for Mark the main reason that he had found himself hooked into the managerial ‘game’. The pressure of the post and the day to day hassles he could gladly give up but working with players either individually or as a group a buzz that lifted the spirits and made the whole package worthwhile.

Mark acted as the quarter back in a 2 hour session and with a smile on his face spent an hour placing accurately the ball into space and watching the players involved make the run or attempt to get free of their assigned and enthusiastic marker. Late in the session the ex-Chelsea man found his knee aching as it began its usual nagging from any over exertion.

Cardiff at home was easily the most forgettable game played at Woodspring Park for some considerable time.

Cardiff’s chopping and changing of personnel every 15 to 20 minutes along with a very whistle happy Mr Poll from Tring all adding to pretty much 90 minutes of turgid dross. That only 450 people had bothered to turn up somewhat of a blessing. With the effects of the recent Tottenham game evident in many of the players Mark was required to make use of the full squad throwing in a couple of under 18’s into first team action. This also allowed some of the less used new recruits to make their formal introduction to the WSM fans.

For most of the first half a timid and disjointed performance despite cajoling from the sidelines was the order of the day.

At times the WSM side seemed almost disinterested. Certainly the game wasn’t helped by a Cardiff side two weeks behind WSM in terms of match fitness. The benefits of the training ground work failed to materialize and the first half side lacked urgency or cohesiveness that would have seen WSM take limited Cardiff apart.

Cardiff may have seen the game differently to Mark’s side in terms of preparation for the season ahead and whilst they were quite happy to spoil what could have been a decent game the lack of atmosphere inside the ground clearly aided and abetted both team’s performance. With neither spark nor imagination created there was very little for fans to get excited about.

Duly the players that had featured in that dire first half sat in the changing room at the break and were left in no certain measure that they had let themselves down. A lot was expressed in ten minutes behind those closed doors in and every word of it fully justified.

There was not one voice of complaint at the torrent of words and many were left silenced by the volume and tone of the conversations.

It was time for many to turn the hearing aid down and stare solemnly at their feet. Anything else would have just added fuel to the raging fire.

All change for WSM as the second half side would now need to put right the ills of the game. The paying public deserved much better and knowing the first 45 minute performance wasn’t acceptable a ‘fresh eleven came out’ with the sound of Mark’s voice resounding around their ears to put things right. The shape and drive was immediately better with Bayley, Buchanan and Rhodes rising above the mediocrity of previous performance. As they began setting their stall out in the second half it turned into one way traffic. At last there was something for the fans to get excited about. WSM started to exert decent pressure and with their forward movement, action in the Cardiff goal area became something of a regular event. It wasn’t long before a goal duly arrived. On 52 minutes Farrell scored another first team goal. With growing understanding of the movement required in a WSM shirt and confidence of the players around him his timed run deserved a goal.

After some midfield knockabout stuff Buchanan finally picked up a Rhodes pass wide on the right and with some very poor marking from static defenders quickly hit the byline cutting back inside and delivering a curling left foot cross that Farrell threw himself at. Farrell managed to get the faintest of touches on the ball and his resulting header cannoned of the deck and up and over the bemused Cardiff keeper.

The derisory cheer that met the opening goal was extremely unfair on the second half WSM team.

In less than ten minutes of the second half they had shown more effort than both teams put together during for the first torrid 45 minutes work.The goal itself not the prettiest seen at Woodspring Park but it was a goal and with the momentum in their favour something for the WSM side to build on. Despite increased work rate and a much improved performance, in terms of goals that was as good as it got for the fans. The arrow was pointing down a one way street and traffic heading towards the Cardiff end.

Buchanan moved inside and with Bayley combined in the centre controlling the game. The pace of Farrell and his enthusiasm for the game was sparking off on the players around him. He was now WSM’s top scorer in pre season and certainly playing himself into contention for the Morecambe game. The whistle met with boos after the game that had featured not entirely unexpected.

Cardiff – home

1:0

[markyt]

WSM after 90 minutes of tremendous football were unlucky not to emerge winners against high quality opposition.

Screaming out of the hot sun like wailing banshee’s a team determined to pay the fans back for an inept performance just days before.

From the minute the whistle blew WSM were tuned into delivering a performance that justified paying a tenner to come through the gate.

In fairness to Fulham they were not there to make up the numbers and having gone through their pre season games unbeaten weren’t about to roll over and play dead. Selecting an eleven for the first half that Mark felt was physically shaping up to be the ‘starting eleven’ against Morecambe in their debut in league 2.

Northmore in goal, the defensive four of Gillan, Evans, Sharps and Bailey, a midfield quartet of Walker, Kerr, McCann and Story with a front two of Benyon and Newbold.

The eleven selected for those 45 minutes a carbon copy of the team imagined by Mark so many months before.

As he had promised Chairman Paul Bliss just weeks before - A spine of WSM players built around the quality new recruits.

WSM weren’t just going to arrive into the 2nd division but planning to make an almighty splash.

About right for a side living beside the sea....................

The pace and power of the usual 4,4,2 WSM formation took the very breath away from the Premier League side. At times WSM’s hold on the game almost too much for experienced Fulham. But like a boxing champion Fulham clung on at the right times and bounced off the ropes to land clean blows of their own and as the bell rang out to signal the end of the game both teams delighted to grab a draw.

Attitude and aptitude delivered in the right measure for both Managers to be proud of with overall performance.

In the first 45 minutes WSM nothing short of sensational and Walker and Story in particular when provided with the ammunition created so much carnage in front of goal that at times it was like a fairground duck shoot. Newbold and Benyon restored to their rightful place at the sharp end literally queuing up to take a pot shot at Peter Schmiechal’s son Kasper.

Kasper had a torrid first half with his defensive cover being moved around like pieces on chess board. He was kept busy and alert for most of the half. Without his magnificent keeping WSM would have gone down the tunnel with a 5 or 6 goal margin. That Fulham kept the scoreline to just two goals all down to the young Dane. Mark as per usual prowled the touchline but with the football at last being played at the level he expected for the WSM boss was anything but vocal. The effort of the players only drew his praise.

Kerr and McCann growing into a fine partnership and into everything that was positive about the WSM performance. On ten minutes they combined to get the scoreboard ticking over. A typical thundering challenge by Kerr released the ball to McCann who in turn hit the ball forward perfectly into the feet of a Newbold run. The pace on the ball enough to take Newbold clear and after holding off the last desperate Fulham challenge a deft chip bounced into an empty net. The Fulham keeper had seen the chance opening up in front of him but an early shot had beaten his best efforts to close down the space. The crowd just shy of 2000 launched a cheer of approval.

This was more like it and the crowd wanted more..........

Benyon began to curse his luck. Three chances fell to the WSM youngster each bringing out the best from the Fulham keeper.

For Mark it was all a sense of deja vue. Kasper was the image of his Dad and Mark had been thwarted too many times by ‘Peter the Great’ in the past. Chelsea games always seemed to bring out the best of the Old Trafford legend. 28 minutes and a Walker cross bounced neatly between keeper and defence and Benyon gambling on a chance side footed a perfect volley goalwards. With the crowd behind the goal up on their feet in unison fully expecting the ball to hit the back of the net finger tips pushed the ball over the bar. Incredible, the save drawing applause from around the ground. Kerr now turned provider and after catching man and ball in midfield lumped the ball with purpose into the Fulham half. Benyon hanging on the shoulder of the last defender was through one on one with the keeper. The Dane using his feet sprawled across his area and again somehow kept the net intact. With Fulham reeling from the pressure Benyon created a chance of his own making. Pestering the back line he grabbed the ball and without looking up pulled the trigger. The shot curled towards the top corner but with the effort goal bound the Fulham keeper incredibly took the ball clean out of the air with just one hand and held onto it before crashing on to the deck. Even Mark was caused to applaud the keeper’s brilliance.

Fulham with the scoreline only registering a one goal deficit were hardly in the game in those heady 20 or 30 minutes but slowly started to show their ability with some lovely counter attacking in the later part of the half. On 37 minutes Radlinski found by a Bullard pass joyfully hammered the ball past exposed Northmore. The Fulham goal had been building as the half progressed and WSM who had been strong at the back finally caught out. The heat of the afternoon was taking its toll on both teams and the pace slowed dramatically and with the half almost up Walker strode forward picking up a misplaced clearance and ran at the Fulham defence. Instead of a tackle the closest defender was pushed backwards and without even bothering to beat his man Walker released a wicked bouncing shot.

Whether the keeper had seen the ball late or was deceived by the bounce on the hard ground no one in white cared.

2:1 to the seagulls and the crowd started a chant of ‘who are you’ 'who are you'

Both sides made significant changes to their teams for the second 45. WSM changed all and paid an immediate price.

Fulham quickly equalized all thanks to a jinking Bullard run and with Diop straining every sinew to keep up with Bullard the huge midfielder was free to hammer a bullet header past a flat footed Jonny Brains.

Clever football had opened up WSM at the back and the sharpness of Bullard enough to take advantage of lapse defending. 48 minutes had been played and 2 all a fair and representative scoreline. That both teams pursued a winner to their credit but despite chances falling at regular intervals neither Brains nor the Fulham keeper were beaten again.

Bates the best player on the park for WSM in a bright second half knew just how Benyon had felt as his frequent attempts to score a goal thwarted as the Danish keeper kept him at bay. For Kerr and McCann in the first half cue an excellent performance from Charles and Bayley in the second. WSM hadn’t wilted despite superior opposition but Fulham were a good side and unlikely to accept defeat lightly. As the final whistle blew to signal an end to the entertainment each and every member of the crowd stood an applauded the teams.

The game had been a fantastic spectacle and had said much for both in terms of their willingness to search for a win despite the hot and humid conditions.

Mark hugged each of the players as they walked around the WSM ground saluting the fans for their support.

This was the last time the players would be seen at Woodspring Park prior to the start of the league season.

The 22 WSM players who had played their hearts out that afternoon deserved the praise and adulation.

The Cardiff performance long forgotten...............

[markyt]

Previous post – Fulham home

2:2

Against lesser opposition WSM performed well on their travels. The team building process added much to the camaraderie of the developing WSM side demonstrated by confident and determined performances on the pitch. The new recruits now fully inducted and only Lee Farrell still being classed as the ‘new boy’.

This was mainly due to his ability to get lost even on a simple journey from his hotel room to the WSM training ground. On tour he even managed to get stuck in the hotel lift which made him late for one particular training session prior to the Connah’s Quay game. The abuse he got on arriving 20 minutes to the Connah’s Quay training ground priceless especially when he started to explain why he was so late and had been left behind.

‘You’ll never believe this but....’ just started the squad laughing and although it was humorous banter Farrell made it worse minutes later. Gently jogging round the Welsh team’s training facility the players encountered a two foot high trellis fence and without thinking just hurdled it.

Farrell still trying to explain to colleagues that the lift had been broken with him in it somehow got his foot stuck in the trellis and landed face down on the turf.

The squad could hardly keep a straight face hours later despite the intensity of the training ground work and Farrell despite his efforts to suggest otherwise as he worked hard to was forced to wear the ‘Kermit’ muppet bib for the rest of the day and even at the dinner table.

Farrell was more a Jason McAteer than Graeme Le Saux and even when being trying to be serious somehow made teammates laugh....

In terms of the games themselves Connah’s Quay suffered a 6 goal thrashing with 3 goals either side of the half time break and against Dawlish Town in front of a meager crowd of 125, seven goals crashed past the hapless Dawlish keeper. As player fitness moved to the right level especially with the Morecambe game just days away focussed minds on the job ahead impacted on everyone in and around the squad. Form arriving in bountiful supply rippling across the team as players got used to the demands of the WSM system and the movement of players around them.

With everything beginning to fall into place Mark and the backroom team grew in confidence that the hard work on the training ground would serve them well in the long winter ahead. Debate long into the evening between Mark and his staff moved onto the team that would face Morecambe. The hotel in Wales an excellent venue both before and after the Connah’s Quay game and after chatting through the merits of each player in the squad the final side virtually a unanimous decision for all four.

The performance against lowly C Quay hard to judge especially as WSM had been much the superior side for the 90 minute game.

Bates in particular had been the most difficult conversation followed perhaps by keeper Northmore.

Against Connah’s Quay Bates had plundered a hatrick and one week later scored four against Dawlish Town.

That he was sharp and on fire evident to all. But Mark had faith in Benyon and Newbold and despite the two WSM ‘old boys’ being shy in terms of goals they were still looking as effective and confident as ever.

The Fulham performance for both proof alone and Mark knew that the two were still first choice.

Northmore had come through his personal nightmare against Tottenham and between the sticks his confidence had returned. Jonny Brains was pushing him hard for a place and youngster Mark Crossley was not far away either but Northmore got the vote that night.

The first team to represent WSM in the Football League would be Northmore, Gillan, Evans, Sharps, Bailey, Walker, Kerr, McCann, Story, Benyon and Newbold.

Mark slept soundly after another day’s training in the Welsh fresh air.

Confident, content and delighted with progress he had every right to a restful night’s sleep.

The Dawlish Town game one week later was almost too easy and in the end seven goals were probably not enough for the WSM side. Dawlish had been toyed with for 90 minutes and were not even good enough to mount one shot at the WSM goal. With chances up amongst the low 20’s for actual strikes at goal only Bates filled his boots.

The team’s performance had been purposeful and the tempo just right in terms of the build up to the new season but in fact had gleaned nothing new in terms of player ability or team selection.

The team picked in a Llandudno hotel remained unchanged and Mark delighted with the choice.

Three days before the big kick off at Morecambe Town’s ground Christie Park the carefully considered team sheet would lay in ruins and he would be facing an injury nightmare that would test both his and his team’s ability. The supposed depth of squad moved to breaking point.....

Connah’s Quay – away

6:0

Dawlish Town – away

7:0

[markyt]

Mark had been nose to the grindstone with football taking priority over everything else. Even his quick jaunt to the Wimbledon men’s singles final had only been a brief diversion from the demands of the club. With the first game of the season four days away he had taken time out to got to London. He had an interview piece for ITV and Sky Sports which gave him the chance to head to the bright lights of the city. He hadn’t been to his Chelsea flat since his American holiday so the timing of the interview perfect. It gave him the chance to catch up with all things London namely the delectable Carolyn Smith, Mark’s agent and so much more.

The interviews had all gone well and Mark well versed in talking to the media had enjoyed the experience.

He had done quite a bit of media work and the confidence of being in front of the camera now almost second nature. The game he loved had changed so much from his early days at Chelsea. Now media training a must for all young players whilst Mark and his Chelsea team mates of the 80’s had all grown up under the tv spotlight. Some had crashed and burned and avoided the attention. Mark wasn’t the only one to embrace the opportunity in the hope that their ability both on and off the pitch would add longevity to a short career in football. Chelsea as a club had done their utmost to help. From the Chelsea ranks alone Nevin, Spackman, Peacock, Elliott and of course Townsend proof positive that the media training given to the team impacted well.

In fact Mark only found difficulty with the camera glare when being interviewed by BBC South West’s Victoria Graham and that was something he was already dreading. Just the very thought of her made him blush as he recalled the last live tv feed. Scheduled before the team would leave the South West on its long journey to Morecambe for the first game of the season was a return fixture between Victoria and himself. At least he had a couple of days warning and the chance to compose himself.

The media work finished he slumped into the back of a taxi which quickly navigated itself across the city to his flat. The aroma of Chinese food welcomed him as he opened the front door. Sat watching Sky News and fully at home Carolyn Smith. The food delicious and quickly eaten as the two chatted easily and at last caught up. They had been in regular contract over the summer months but with work commitments and family time meeting up had been impossible. Even now they would spend a few snatched hours together. Both knew the difficulties ahead and had entered the relationship with eyes wide open. That may have been the case but right now closeted away from the world both making the most of the time together however brief............

Mark looked at the clock. It was just after 11am and two bodies lay intertwined on the luxurious bed. His phone flashed urgently announcing a text had arrived on his mobile phone. Carolyn fast asleep was awakened by his sudden movement as he fumbled for the mobile. The text that greeted his bleary eyes news not the best start to the day and hit him harder than any physical blow.

Wayne Jacobs had sent the text from the training ground. ‘Mark sorry to bother you on your day off... we have a training crisis impacting team selection for Saturday, ring me urgently’. If Carolyn had been asleep she would have been quickly woken by the expletives and the noise of someone crashing around the bedroom in a foul mood. She grinned at the sight kissed Mark on the lips and headed for the shower as Mark returned the club call.

‘Wayne what’s up?’

‘Hi boss, sorry to disturb but I know you would want to know the news sooner rather than later. A couple of knocks from yesterday are causing problems and after an early session today Newbold is a definite non starter for this weekend.’ Mark remained almost silent as Jacobs the WSM assistant manager reeled off each of the injured players. ‘Simple stretching this morning and then with a gentle run Newbold pulled up and it looks like a groin problem. The physio says 2 weeks at best. The other news is that McCann and Kerr are struggling after they collided in training yesterday. It was nasty at the time but both seemed ok but today they are both on the treatment table and I don’t thing you can expect both or either to appear.’

The team to face Morecambe had been selected for days. Training had been shaped around the starting eleven. The new WSM training ground ethos that great players trained as hard as they played all added to the intensity of the run up to the start of the season. Hard work and the intensity of each training ground session possible cause of kick off plans being in disarray. Mark after finishing the call lay back on the bed staring at the ceiling. There were options available to him. Improvement in the squad over the summer would now benefit him but the unfolding drama 72 hours before the start of the season something that he really didn’t need. Decisions to be made and a rapid return to WSM all destroying his supposed ‘free time’. Carolyn tried her best to hide her disappointment over brunch and Mark knowing the hurt he was causing tried to lighten the moment failing miserably. His mind was elsewhere and player combinations racked his brain. Carolyn realizing that her bad mood wasn’t helping the situation quickly started to help him with team selection. Whilst she didn’t know the players she could offer some objective advice to Mark’s debate.

The black Porsche purred its way on to the M4. It was now just after 1pm and Mark with a new team in mind headed back to the South West. Carolyn’s stoic attitude and ability to cut the chase as ever an important ingredient in helping him come to a final conclusion. The team to face Morecambe had been selected. It was a completely different side to the one he had dreamed of. Of course he had a plan b somewhere in the locker but with several of those players not fit he was already scraping the barrel. Not ideal preparation for the clubs biggest game...........but plan c was about to come to the fore.

[markyt]

13 is an unlucky number, where have I heard that before...........

On a wet and windswept August afternoon WSM lined up for their first ‘league’ game of the season.

After the injury dramas of the last few days Mark cloaked in a WSM waterproof jacket was glad to get the action underway. The team now standing isolated on the pitch bore no comparison to the side he had initially selected weeks before but he was confident that those chosen to play wouldn’t let the club down. The last days on the training ground had helped sharpen minds and the eleven now dressed in ‘Seagull’ colours were as well prepared as any other side in the division. Morecambe had acquitted themselves well in the 2nd division after making a similar journey as WSM from Conference football.

Twelve months before they had arrived into league football as champions elect of the Conference division sweeping all comers aside. Their subsequent performance in the league fully deserving of their 2nd division status and Sammy Mcllroy now worshipped as a local hero.

A crowd on this damp August opener a sellout of 6400 all packed into the tight but neat Christie Park stadium.

The WSM side: Northmore in goal, Griffin, Evans, Sharps and Bailey the back four, Walker, Bayley, Charles and Story the midfield quartet and upfront strikers Benyon and Bates. The bench featured a five of Collett, Stewart, Kirk, Madjo and Olaoye. Kirk was suffering the aftermath of a flu virus and was the only player on the bench who would have started if 100% fit.

With the rain if possible falling even heavier the whistle blew and the season began in earnest. Morecambe with the wind behind them started the game with the greater purpose and despite some neat interplay from WSM it was Morecambe who quickly scored an opening goal. With 5 minutes played a direct ball over the top caught Evans out of position and with Northmore nervous at leaving his net unguarded the Morecambe striker Dixon pushed the ball goalwards before finally nicking the ball over the top of the hesitant WSM keeper. The Morecambe crowd erupted with glee at the ease of the first goal.

Mark and Jacobs from the sidelines were quickly up an amongst the WSM team ensuring that they all remained focussed.

With the WSM back four wobbling under constant Morecambe pressure communication between Sharps and Evans began to fail and WSM found themselves two down.

A collision between the WSM centre back pairing allowed Morecambe’s Dixon time and space and when his shot slammed off the damp surface and under the body of Northmore Mark’s side were two down. WSM were drowning and the game was barely 10 minutes old. Worse was to follow.....

With Mark screaming for calm heads Charles and Story concocted a first real WSM chance which took at least some pressure off a WSM’s back four.

Charles tackling hard in the centre of the field picked up the ball and after dummying an opponent with an audacious step over saw the early run of Story and released the ball deep into the final third. Story managed to control the ball just keeping it in play and whipped in a lovely cross which had Bates trying to get something on the ball. The chance was quickly stopped in its tracks as the ball was thumped clear. With WSM bodies strewn all over the pitch a fast Morecambe counter attack profited from wide open space and with a by now dominant Morecambe looking to add to the goal tally it was no surprise to see Northmore beaten for a third time. Northmore beaten this time by a well placed shot from inside the penalty area from the predatory Dixon. He stood no chance and looked across at the bench as if looking for a white flag to be unfurled. With Morecambe now 3 up on 20 minutes the packed ground expected an easy win for the home side and with Morecambe in cruise control they were hoping to get a cricket score.

But as Morecambe celebrated a third goal WSM were letting the rain wash away their fears and preparing to do or die…..

McIIroy had warned his side that any team managed by Mark would be carved in rock.

He wasn’t far from the truth as the midfield four of WSM proved that despite the scoreline that they were no mugs. Each was ready to die for the WSM cause.

At 3 down they had nothing to lose and chanced their arm. Charles and Bayley working well together started to get in amongst the coasting Morecambe midfield and as they started to run the show Walker and Story were worked into the game. A chance at last as Walker was put through by Charles on 25 minutes. Walker calmly played the ball into the penalty area and Benyon quiet for most of the game tiptoed past a sleeping defender before placing a ball past the keeper.

3:1 and WSM were fighting for their lives and looking to get something out of the hopeless cause.

32 minutes and the scoreline looked even better.

Benyon had picked up a clearance header and with the ball at his feet looked for the right pass to release strike partner Bates. The pass didn’t materialize as he was knocked clean off his feet by an awfully late tackle. Walker stepped up and lifted the ball over the wall and into the top corner. A beautiful goal that saw him submerged in WSM players.

With half time approaching Morecambe were looking for help from their dugout as WSM were now the dominant side despite effectively being out of the game on 20 minutes. With each minute ticking by WSM were creating more and more chances and living up to their pre match hype.

Walker now became creator slinging a diagonal ball towards the right wing. It was aimed for Story but Bates making a similar run picked the ball up wide right and launched himself on a mazy run before hitting a peach of a shot goalwards. The silence that met WSM’s equalizer was almost eerie.

Bates couldn’t care less and ran the length of the pitch to celebrate his debut goal.

With barely time on the clock and Mark ready to run down the tunnel Bates tackled the last man and was through one on one with the keeper. It was perhaps the easiest WSM chance of the game and as he confidently tapped the ball through the keeper’s legs he watched in anguish to see the ball clip the outside of the post and go wide.

It was all square. Unbelievable stuff and fantastic entertainment.....

Despite the turnaround Mark and his coaching staff were far from happy with the first half performance and in particular rollicked Evans and Sharps. Both were at fault for the lapse marking leading to Morecambe scoring at least 2 of their 3 goals. Too slow and taking too many touches.

With players determined to do better in the second half there were a few personal points to prove.

Within 15 minutes WSM were off and away into the distance.

Benyon pulled down by a marker and the resulting penalty slammed home by Walker for his second of the game.

Bates and Benyon were now like a giant wrecking ball and between them they lumped huge holes out of the Morecambe defence.

Benyon grabbed his second on 58 minutes. Bates now marked by two created the space for Benyon to thrive. Walker seeing Benyon unmarked curled a ball into the box and Benyon instantly flicked the ball on and into the net. The Morecambe keeper beaten for the 5th time in less than 60 minutes.

Despite the turnaround Morecambe were still creating chances too and Dixon policing the half way line plundered another goal after another Sharps error and after a run all the way to the WSM goal chipped Northmore with some style. Dixon turned creator on 72 minutes as he sent the ball wide to strike partner Carter and Carter’s precise delivery from a tight angle knocked home by WSM player Sharps.

Sharps nightmare seemed never-ending. An own goal to add to his poor performance quickly earned him a substitution.

The game now tied at 5 all with 15 minutes to go.

The training ground work now paid dividends for Mark’s side. WSM were the stronger side as the game drew to a conclusion. Benyon stole a march earning him a hatrick. Pure pace took him away into space. A corner had been poorly cleared land Benyon looking up and seeing nothing launched a strike at goal that clipped the underside of the bar and in. Story with time almost running out meandered towards the corner flag and whilst playing for time saw 4 white shirts in the box and put the ball in to the danger area.

The magnificent Dixon unfortunately in attempting to clear crashed the ball past his own keeper.

It was now 7:5 to WSM and with injury time being played Mark demanded his side concentrate and see the game out. Morecambe’s Dixon and Carter were not to be kept quiet and they combined one more time creating an effort that saw Carter stride clear and grab a 6th Morecambe goal.

The referee blew the whistle not even allowing for a restart and Mark collapsed into his dugout seat.

He was exhausted and at the same time delighted with the win despite the performance at the back.

But WSM had picked up an unlikely win on the road sharing a 13 goal thriller on the way to three magnificent points…..

[markyt]

Morecambe away

7:6

previous post

[markyt]

As Mark sat on the coach for the long tedious journey most of those around him had fallen asleep. It had long been dark and as Mark looked out of the coach window all that could be seen were the distant glow of city lights. He couldn’t sleep the adrenalin of the first game of the season and the anger at the defensive performance burned brighter than any streetlight.

There of course were positives to claim from a thirteen goal bonanza. WSM had won a game after going three goals down and come out a winner in a high scoring game. They had also claimed three points on the opening day of the football season. The team’s resilience under considerable duress something to be proud of allied to their bravery as they hunted out an unlikely win.

WSM had surely announced their arrival into league football and their cavalier style of football would bring many plaudits and a future guarantee of decent crowds wherever they played. But this was not a Kevin Keegan or Ossie Ardiles team that went out on the pitch to score more goals than the opposition. As a holding midfielder he had prided his WSM team on the ability to defend from as a unit from the front and that each player had responsibilities regardless of their main team function.

That Morecambe had been an almost mirror image of his own team food for thought. Two mobile strikers and an ability to hit the ball into the channel a priority drilled into the players wearing the club colours. However WSM were the pacier of the two sides and certainly going forward the more creative team. The skill of the WSM wide men could only be used when in control of the midfield area.

The WSM midfield area would only operate at its best knowing that a stubborn and alert centre half combination were in control at the back.

Leadership and communication were critical to the defending of Northmore’s goal. But at the back Mark’s preferred two of Evans and Sharps appeared slow, methodical and together unable to read the game that was developing in front of them. Their inadequacy to deal with a direct ball and two mobile and interchanging players had caused the full backs Griffin and Bailey to falter and panic and become all too quickly swept up in the nightmare of defensive chaos. Mark would long dream of Morecambe Dixon and Carter and their performance against WSM a frightening regular occurrence.

Sharps was a vocal leader on the pitch but by failing to communicate to those around him he had not helped Evans and co out of the mire.

Sharps full debut had been one to forget. Although thanks to the Soccer AM team this wouldn’t be allowed as his collision with Evans and the resulting Morecambe goal was replayed as a comedy moment for weeks.

Taxi for Sharps would echo across the training ground for weeks.

But above all of his anger and annoyance WSM had won a fantastic game of football and Mark knew that despite thoughts of change at the back with the next game only three days away he would be forced to field the same side.

He and his backroom team had three days to get the defending and balance of the team right.

Sharps and Evans would suffer the indignity of being tied together by a five metre scarf during each training session.

The scarf trick was something he had seen on the Chelsea training ground years before and had been regularly used by the manager Ruud Gullit. The idea that by limiting the space between centre halves you could instill greater understanding between the two.

The scarf was a constant nagging reminder of where you colleague was and resistance on the material and its 5 metre length would limit straying. It was worth a go and with WSM facing top of the league Hull City and their lethal striker Darryl Duffy any straw had to be clutched.

Finally sleep came as the wheels of monotony turned during the long coach ride home to the South West and Mark dreamt of Hull City the first ‘league’ visitors to Woodspring Park...........

[markyt]

Mark walked onto Woodspring Park and received a hero’s welcome. He acknowledged the home fans and felt almost humbled by their roar of appreciation. The ground was packed and had been a sellout weeks ahead. 3000 tickets were a drop in the ocean to the number of fans that had wanted to watch this, the first ever home ‘league’ game. Walking onto the pitch itself had been like a release from the training ground activity and the pressures of getting the defending of the team right.

Training had been hard and at intensity far beyond the necessary but all of the squad had knuckled down to make sure they were spot on for the Hull game. The WSM squad were striving to be the best they possibly could be. Mark couldn’t ask for anything more.

He had gone through the media whirlpool and emerged unscathed on the other side. Even his live feed with Victoria Graham on match night for Spotlight South West had gone remarkably well and he had managed to remain calm despite noticing his heart beat racing fast. He could see her face on the tv monitor but her not being their in person had made the whole interview process far more comfortable.

If only she knew the effect on him......

In addition Sky had plucked the WSM game versus Hull for their live Wednesday night game so further reason if a reason was required for both teams to go for the win and impress the watching public.

Hull as a club had suffered relegation over two consecutive seasons. But after landing back at the lowest rung of league football had reshaped, built a new team and were clear favourites for promotion.

After thumping five goals past fellow fancied Brighton they were already top of the league.

Mark despite three points on the board and sharing of 13 goals had made the very early decision to go with the same starting eleven that had finally beaten Morecambe. But this hadn’t been possible. Owen Story had suffered a post match reaction and had been sidelined for 3 weeks. Graeme Holmes would replace Story wide on the right of midfield. Holmes was comfortable in the role and if anything was perhaps a better natural crosser of the ball than Story. Having just arrived from Stockport, Holmes would another player making his home debut.

Mark Kerr had responded well to treatment following his training ground collision and would replace Kirk on the bench.

Club captain Kirk was still suffering from the tail end of a virus but took his dropping from the bench without complaint but on the training ground renewed efforts to ensure he would always be in Mark’s thoughts.

A bright and sunny evening heralded the start of the game a complete contrast to the wet and windy Saturday match.

The floodlights were on but the colour and noise that reverberated around Woodspring Park enough to add light to the early evening gloom.

The whistle blew and league football had finally arrived to the Somerset club 121 years after being formed.

WSM with a fervent crowd behind them started the better of the two teams and despite the quality of the opposition were quickly into their brand of football. Quick neat football with movement that had Mark and his coaching staff drooling. The pace and movement of the front two Benyon and Bates, troubled a well organised Hull side and with 4 minutes on the clock Benyon, put through by a lovely weighted Charles pass calmly slotted past the advancing Hull keeper. Cue bedlam...........

The noise that welcomed the first league goal deafening and with it the hairs on the back of Mark’s neck stood up. Mark quickly emerged from the dugout and urged the players to keep alert and to concentrate. A team is always at its weakest when it had scored a goal and Mark wanted to keep the lead. Benyon was on fire and every touch came off for the WSM youngster. Following the Morecambe game Benyon’s stock had risen to an even higher level. He had been likened by Sammy McIIroy to Newcastle United striker Michael Owen and keen to take advantage of clearly nervous defending he produced magic at will and should have claimed a second goal for himself on 12 minutes. Bates had headed the ball down from a Northmore kick out and Benyon stormed through completely unmarked to volley goalwards from the edge of the penalty area. The keeper saved well as the ball arrived at the perfect height for an easy catch. On 15 minutes with little to no space to maneuver Benyon’s quick thinking got him free again from his marker and with time to flash a ball right across the goal, which much to the WSM fans agony behind the Hull goal was not turned home by the pressing and equally dangerous Bates.

With WSM looking to dominate and Hull rocked back into their own half it was inevitable that WSM couldn’t continue to hold their vice like grip.

A simple clearance after another WSM chance bounced to Hull midfielder Dean Marney and despite Bayley’s attempt to tackle him Marney set off on a run that saw him clear into WSM territory. Sharps slid in to rob Marney of the ball but after an unfortunate ricochet Marney was allowed the time to pass the ball into the WSM net. Sharps looked to the bench as if to say ‘who have I upset...’.

Northmore had been beaten with Hull’s first attempt on goal and with venom thumped the ball back to the half way line.

The remainder of the half saw chances fall to both sides but with either fine keeping or woeful finishing it was all square at the half time whistle. It was a decent game and despite pre match betting pretty much even.

Mark’s attention had been drawn to Robert Bayley. A late tackle had left the midfielder limping and despite trying to run off the injury in the final minutes of the half it didn’t look good. Mark beckoned the coaching staff and Mark Kerr for a quick conversation. Kerr was ordered to start warming up with Coach Ian Atkins in preparation for the second half.

There was every likelihood that he would start from kick off.

Overall with Mark extremely happy with the first 45 minutes he was happy to ask for more of the same.

Apart from the goal Hull had been kept fairly quiet whilst WSM themselves should have had more to show for their efforts. WSM returned to the pitch and within three minutes of the restart Mark Kerr had put his new team into a priceless lead. Benyon had won a corner from absolutely nothing. Walker curled in a lovely cross that Bates powerfully headed goalwards and the resulting scramble on the goal line saw the ball rolling free and Mark Kerr fired in from two yards. It had been his first touch and as he pointed to his name on the back of his WSM shirt the Woodspring Park crowd welcomed a new hero.

Hull made immediate changes and moved from 4-4-2 to a 4-3-3 formation but the change whilst adding to their attacking options did little or nothing to stop WSM creating at the sharp end. Holmes and Walker in particular often found in space and with the youth of Charles aligned to the experience of Kerr the midfield quartet won the battle in the centre of the park and outgunned and out muscled the Hull midfield. Kerr pulling the strings earning himself instant crowd adulation was keen to hit the early pass. Benyon looking to add goals playing on the shoulder of the Hull defender was found by a sublime Kerr chip. Benyon never got the chance to shoot as he was felled without ceremony. The foul earnt a booking for the Hull player and with nothing but pure intent to bring down Benyon, Mark harangued the fourth official demanding instant dismissal. Mark got a nod and a wink and a firm word to sit down.

Walker made Hull pay and for the second game running smashed home a free kick. The keeper stood open mouthed as the ball drifted inside the right hand post. WSM were now 3:1 up and the clock showed 58 minutes of the game had been played.

As the game moved to its finale Hull finally excerpted full control and pushed back a tiring WSM side.

Mark threw Madjo on for Bates and Stewart in place of exhausted Charles. Holmes moved into centre of midfield with Madjo wide on the right WSM went to 5 at the back dropping to Benyon alone upfront. Despite WSM's two goal lead it was clear that Hull felt that they could still get something from the game. It was all Hull in the final 15 minutes as they showed how good aside they were but the WSM back line stood firm. Northmore saved two clear goals in the final minute alone as the South West side clung to a win. Mark danced a jig of delight punching the air repeatedly as the final whistle announced a 2nd league win.

WSM had made some splash on arriving into league football and who cared for how long.

But on that August night WSM were top of the 2nd division.

Victory tasted sweet on that incredible night and the result would stay in the memory of the WSM fans forever.

That result and the win would soon be a very distant memory..........

[markyt]

Hull - home

3:1

[markyt]

Build up to the Saturday game against Chesterfield had started badly.

The first day back in training following the win against Hull that had seen them propelled to the top of the league albeit for just 24 hours, had seen the WSM physio working flat out.

The treatment table at the training ground was busier than WSM sea front on a bank holiday.

Bayley as expected had been amongst the wounded being treated but Holmes, and Kerr were suffering the after effects of the Hull game and they were soon joined by new signing Lee Sawyer.

Already missing the likes of Newbold and McCann to injury a significant injury to Sawyer was another headache Mark could well do without.

Sawyer signed from Chelsea had been playing well for the reserve side and his quality and talent making certain a first team start in the forthcoming league fixtures.

With two wins behind them the training ground was full of good humour and high spirits. As the first serious session with a ball got under way, a simple drill of dribbling round a series of cones and then a fast turn with a sprint back to the starting line. A race against both time and a team mate always bringing out the competitor in any footballer.

As the cone numbers were extended and the distance increased from the turn to the start / finish line the focus, desire and will to win clearly visible and etched on the WSM players’ faces.

Sawyer one of the fittest in the team matched against Scott Walker and ahead in their particular race and as both completed the cones and prepared for the sprint home Sawyer fell after turning sharply and without making any sound at all lay perfectly still. Walker oblivious to Sawyer’s distress sprinted for home and celebrated the win. Jacobs was the first to arrive at Sawyer’s side.

The lack of shouting or cry of pain spelled doom and after being wrapped up and whisked off to the local hospital the prognosis was as bleak as first thought.

Out for 8 to 9 months cruciate ligament requiring the help of a specialist would see Sawyer out for the whole season. Sawyer would come back stronger Mark was sure but there would be a long hard road ahead for him and many dark days before he would return to wear the white shirt of WSM.

Chesterfield had struggled in their first two games losing two very close games. Yet to score a goal and conceding just once in each game a sign of a mean defence.

A decent crowd making the most of glorious August sunshine with many stripped to the waist waving their shirts in the air cementing their support for their team.

The game started at a gallop with both teams keen to dominate and direct play with their style of football.

Chesterfield backed by the fans were determined to keep the game tight but at least give their home support something to celebrate. WSM with the more expansive game plan keen to get the ball down on the ground feed the ball out wide to the pace of the wide men and then break quickly to join the striking partnership of Benyon and Bates.

Chesterfield playing 4-5-1 happy to hit a very direct ball into the channels and exploit supposed lack of pace at the back. It was an interesting an absorbing tussle between two very different styles of play.

After 20 minutes getting very little return from their initial tactics Chesterfield forced the first corner of the game.

The corner conceded after no nonsense stuff from WSM defender Steve Evans who simply drilled a Chesterfield cross out of the ground and way beyond. It raised a big cheer from the WSM supporters.

With the usual jostling for position at the corner the ball finally played in arrived finding an unmarked player in the blue of Chesterfield who had the simplest task of heading home.

Northmore managed to get something on the ball but not enough to stop its course to the back of the net. As the team regrouped Mark quickly sent words out on to the pitch demanding an instant response.

Chesterfield famous for its leaning spire spent the next 60 minutes on the back foot as WSM looked to put the scoreline right.

WSM not only succeeded in pushing Chesterfield back but dominated to the point where they appeared to be easily ‘leaning’ down on the home side and exerting the kind of pressure that would see the Chesterfield net breached at any moment. Kerr and Bayley were magnificent in the centre and with the WSM back four passengers in a game Mark moved Sam Bailey into midfield for most of the 2nd half in an attempt to get something from the game.

With both teams now stringing 5 across the middle, despite the amount of traffic WSM still looked the team most likely to score.

Chesterfield were clinging on to their early gain and were left to the odd break away attempt to add to their goal tally.

Mark threw Madjo on for Bates and still the goal wouldn’t come....

WSM huffed and puffed but as the whistle blew at the end of the game the Spire remained in its place and Chesterfield gladly picked up three points for the win.

The papers post match suggested that WSM had been unlucky and that they deserved a draw at least from the game.

But they hadn’t and despite WSM players all out assault on the Chesterfield net and total control of the game they had come away with nothing.............

Chesterfield - away

0:1

[markyt]

Mark sat in his office deep in thought. He was the last one at the ground and despite the hour he seemed destined to be there for some time to come. It was very late, well after 10pm on Saturday night and as Mark glanced out of his office window all he could see was the lights towards the seafront and guessed that the people milling around that area of WSM would be having a lot more fun than he was....

Grimsby had been the visitors to Woodspring Park earlier that day. The ground had been a sellout for the game barring half a dozen people or so and all of them expecting another performance similar to the Hull game. Injuries were now mounting up and whilst officially WSM had the longest injury list of the division Mark remained confident that the players in the squad could cope.

The midfield four that had played and combined so well together had to be changed. McCann the man that Mark had been desperate to pick was clearly nowhere near ready, Kirk struggling for form and still wheezing from his recent virus. Michael Charles the recent signing from Farnborough stepped up to take Bayley’s place.

The crowd was left stunned by a Grimsby goal in the first minute.

WSM had barely lined up in formation when Northmore was beaten all ends up from 30 yards plus.

All credit to Grimsby’s Michael Reddy who bounced through a couple of tackles before unleashing an unstoppable shot. It was still rising as it hit the back of the net hitting the net post at the back of the goal and sending out a shuddering clang as the ball collided with metal. Mark was momentarily stunned at the alarming state of affairs. No mistakes, no lack of concentration just outstanding individual brilliance.

The fact that he himself in his Chelsea days would have hacked Reddy down long before the shot actually made him smile.

What was done was done.... Time to stay resolute, focussed and try to get back into the game.

As the whistle blew to signal the end of the game applause for his side’s efforts came from all sides of the ground. The crowd recognised that their team had worked hard for a precious point. WSM had left it late but a fabulous reply from Benyon on 85 minutes had earned the WSM team a creditable draw. By the time the goal had finally arrived Mark had thrown on three substitutes pushed Sam Bailey into midfield and used Charles in a ‘Rooney’ role positioned just behind the two strikers.

In the build up to the goal itself Madjo had smacked the crossbar from just inside the box with the keeper well beaten and after a goal mouth scramble Benyon unmarked had somehow chipped the ball over everyone and claimed the leveler. A classy goal that Mark was amongst many in thinking wouldn’t arrive especially with a Bates’ chance being cleared of the line.

It hadn’t looked like being WSM’s day...

Grimsby should have been more comfortable in their position. Despite the overall quality of their football their inability to snatch a second goal led to their losing of two points. That WSM had more than matched them for most of the game obvious and as the game drew to its dramatic close the fitness of the WSM players a notch or two higher than the opposition.

WSM at times were playing the football of legend with pretty patterns carving up a tiring Grimsby side. But for the precision and the cleverness on the ball the final effort on goal had been markedly poor. Between them Bates and Benyon alone missed three decent chances. One Bates effort hit the post rebounding into the face of the Grimsby keeper before being pummeled away to safety by nearby defender.

Charles after moving further forward had a chance for an equalizer on 60 minutes but had run out of steam after a slalom run past stagnant markers. Charles with the goal opening up before him tamely hit his shot straight at the grateful keeper.

The draw was probably a fair result for both sides and the Grimsby manager shook Mark’s hand at the end of the game and said as much.

He also admitted that WSM had been the best side his team had faced so far this season. Nice words but the season was only three games old and WSM had failed for the second game running to really hurt a side when it mattered.

It was now close to midnight as Mark pressed the off button on the DVD remote before switching the TV off completely.

Yawning he had put a lot of concerns to the back of his mind.

He had watched the game twice from start to finish counting 12 decent strikes at goal that on another day would have claimed a win. His viewing had gleamed nothing new. The performance barring the first minute shock had been very good and none of the players featuring in a WSM shirt had done anything but deliver on the pitch. Happy to now put the game down to just a bad day at the office Mark switched the office light off, closed the door and minutes later headed for his Exeter home.

Grimsby – home

0:1

[markyt]

In theory the arrival of Championship side Coventry to Woodspring Park, and a game in the form of the league cup first round would add some welcome relief from the league programme. WSM would not be expected to win and all of the pressure would be on Coventry.

It failed to do anything of the sort in fact the game set off a chain reaction that rocked the club to its very foundations.

The lowest crowd of the season, 2300, hopeful rather than expectant to see WSM overcome higher quality opposition.

The WSM team that Mark eventually had put in the field bore some comparison to the one that had featured against Grimsby especially as he had been happy with the performance in that game if not the end result. He had considered fielding the same team in order to give them continuity and time together as an eleven. But he had to balance that thought with wanting to have a look at one or two of the squad players. The Coventry cup game even for WSM was not a priority. However the fans would expect the team to perform and at least have a go so Mark opted for a half way house going for the same defensive line up and ringing changes elsewhere.

The WSM team Northmore, Griffin, Evans, Sharps, Bailey, the midfield of Buchanan, Charles, Kirk and Holmes and upfront Madjo and Olaoye.

To go two goals down in the first half despite being camped out in Coventry territory not good for any manager’s blood pressure.

That both goals scored by Coventry had been as much down to poor defending as skill on the ball more than enough to start touchline rage and a manager turned into a caged tiger. There was a clear gap between midfield and defence and despite words of warning from the sidelines time and time again Coventry would find the space and leave Sharps and Evans defending fresh air.

Too many times they would be left facing three attackers. Kirk and Charles were the main culprits for defensive dereliction but by far they were not alone. WSM were in the face of Coventry, harrying and chasing to their last drop of energy. Kirk and Charles appeared to be in control of midfield with Madjo upfront impressive. Madjo on another day would have rattled the back of the net and claimed two or three match balls. At times Madjo was magnificent and a colossus in everything he did but either superb keeping or poor finishing on his part the cause for him ending the game without the goals he rightfully deserved. Working with his old partner Olaoye seemed to bring out the best in him. Madjo’s first half perhaps on of the best WSM performances of the season so far.

At times it was like watching a game of ten pin bowling with the two ex Stafford strikers knocking Coventry defenders all over the place. Their pace and aggression frightened the life out of Coventry. Despite the incredible action in the Coventry area there was nothing to show for 45 minutes work and with two simple passes opening the WSM back door Mark’s side were staring down the barrel of a gun and undoing much that had been good. With ruthless and clinical efficiency in front of goal Coventry took their chances with aplomb.

Coventry were happy to play counter attacking football expecting the WSM storm to die down the longer the game went on.

On reflection, as Mark trudged hand in pockets down the tunnel, WSM could have been 5 goals to the good but taking nothing away from Coventry they too should have had more than two goals. Mark had long chosen his half time words and the decisions on the changes that had to be made to the team. WSM entered the second half fray with two changes. Mark Kerr coming on for Kirk and Scott Walker for Charles was perhaps harsh on the two central midfielders. The WSM eleven were glad to be back on the pitch.

Charles and Kirk going forward had done well and been more than a match for their Coventry opposition. But they had not listened to the sideline advice and paid the price despite both having a decent half. Kirk was experienced enough to cope with his substitution and spent the interval offering words of support to colleagues but Charles unhappy at the withdrawal threw his boots at the wall in anger, perhaps showing his inexperience and youth, but as they bounced onto the floor and the noise of studs hitting tile echoed around the changing room Mark exploded. He had been fairly calm and restrained during the team talk but the sign of sheer petulance was enough to tip him over the edge. Wayne Jacobs and Ian Atkins were left to finalise details as Mark had said exactly what he had been thinking and stormed back to the dugout. ‘Listen to what we say or you don’t play perhaps the cleanest account of what was actually said....’

Buchanan moved into the centre of midfield joining Kerr as Mark looked to shut down the space but still create the base and momentum to drive on from. To a fashion it worked. WSM continued to look the team most likely to score with Madjo again in the middle of everything. A fantastic goal for WSM on 60 minutes gave renewed hope to the crowd. Holmes delivered a well flighted cross that Madjo pounced on and hammered past the Coventry keeper. Text book finish from a cross begging to be hit goalwards.

Now it was getting interesting and Coventry buckled under the WSM onslaught.

Less than 5 minutes later and WSM were level. Kerr and Walker combined and the one two pass and movement between them allowed Walker to steam through and with some panache curl the ball past the onrushing goalie. The crowd went hyper in their excitement.

Coventry were now falling back as WSM took the game to them hunting more goals from a game they were determined to win.

83 minutes and Madjo after picking up an Olaoye knock down managed to get the ball from under his feet and somehow without falling strike the ball goalwards. The Coventry keeper got something on the ball but not enough to stop it rolling over the line. As Madjo double somersaulted in salute of his second goal his over exuberance was brought to a cruel halt by the sight of a flag waving.

The goal was not given for a foul by Olaoye. Olaoye had used his arms to much in getting the flick on and was eventually booked for the offence despite his protestation of innocence. The Coventry defender hurt in the incident would be seeing stars for hours after the game had finished.

The game looked to be heading for extra time and despite WSM’s Madjo having two further decent strikes at goal in the dying embers of the second half Coventry very much in the game. Coventry had done nothing much for most of the second half and as WSM finally drew breath and steadied themselves for 30 more minutes the quality of the championship side finally saw them through.

Incisive football caught a tiring Evans out of place and despite efforts to get closer to his marker his final touch on the ball enough to deceive Northmore and see the ball gently cross the line. It was all over and WSM could only rue their missed chances. Madjo in particular would long remember the cup match performance and wonder just how he had spurned so many chances to win the game for WSM.

The crowd that had been baying for a WSM win could only watch again as their team again failed to put dominance into a winning result.

For Mark the fall out from the game meant that by early Thursday morning he would be dealing with a delegation of players.

Madjo and Olaoye would be demanding a starting place in the first team, Charles apologizing profusely along with several squad members asking for clarification of their position in the team. Add to this an angry conversation with Paul Bliss in the board room....

League Cup 1st Round

Coventry – Home

2:3

[markyt]

Mark’s fury had finally abated after a long morning locked in his office. He was now sat in the board room where he had joined Paul Bliss for a brief update. He had managed to clear his desk before a flood of players trooped through his office door.

The morning had turned into a difficult one and by the time it was all over Mark liable to fly off the handle at the slightest remark.

The club secretary and the receptionist quickly learnt not to disturb the WSM manager especially on hearing the slamming of cupboard doors and the like.

Player conversations had started out so well on that glorious August morning. One of the first to arrive and ask for a meeting had been Michael Charles whose petulance from the night before now a distant memory. He was actually apologizing for his immaturity before he even got through the door or had sat down. Mark expressed his thoughts in a very short clipped sentence and issued Charles with a warning of future behaviour. Charles would be on the bench for the Saturday match against Peterborough effectively dropped. Charles breathed a sigh of relief and shook Mark’s hand on exiting from the office and had feared the worst. Mark had been prepared to lay into the youngster big style but Charles’s improved attitude had negated the need. No fuss no argument simple stuff really. A couple of players had a few personal problems with moving to the South West and with a flurry of phone calls all was smoothed out. Lee Sawyer arrived on crutches and updated Mark on his recent operation and prognosis. The subsequent treatment of Michael Wilce after the WSM player’s irrational demand for a huge salary uplift days after agreeing and signing a new contract had obviously filtered through to youngster Charles. That was two hyears before but Charles didn’t want to further anger Mark and keen to build bridges before they disappeared completely.

Mark saw the hand of Kirk and Walker behind Charles desire to make amends.

Despite the weather outside Mark’s window, the ex Chelsea player’s mood turned to very stormy when Guy Madjo presented himself.

Guy Madjo’s unfortunate choice of words perhaps the cause for the sudden change or maybe the over confident body language.

Madjo had pitched up at the club that morning acting the big star following his media coverage in the papers after his performance against Coventry. After slouching in the chair offered to him he demanded in the simplest terms that he be selected to start the next game or he would be forced to consider his future.

‘Demand?’ queried Mark.

‘Yes I believe that I should be in the team from the start and demand that you see fit to make the necessary change’ replied a smiling Madjo. Perhaps it was the smile perhaps it was the word demand that finally tipped the WSM boss over the edge but rising, leaning over the table he smiled amiably enough back. Slamming his hand down onto the oak table top he looked Madjo in the eye before replying, ‘Demand, demand demand... How about I demand that you work hard in training and that when selected you take your chance. Last night you couldn’t hit a barn door even with your hand on the handle so when you deliver a performance consistently then I will listen to your, how shall we call it demand....’ Madjo’s smile evaporated and he sat bolt upright. He was taken aback by the strength of comments and before he had chance to respond Mark came back for another go... ‘Apply yourself in training listen to the words of advice and perform when the chance is given and maybe you can force my hand. But that ain’t today full stop............. On the bench on Saturday.........’ There was much more and as the volcano erupted and Madjo ran for cover. Madjo eventually left the room grumbling but Mark couldn’t care less as he slammed the door shut behind the WSM striker. Madjo had been going nowhere in non league football but now after one decent game he expected the world to fall at his feet. Mark shook his head, sat down in his chair and laughed. Madjo’s bravado had just crumbled like a poorly built house of cards and it would be interesting to now see the striker on the training ground.

Finally the bad mood lifted and the pa and secretary would no longer needed to wave a white flag on visiting his office.

Paul Bliss over lunch updated Mark on club progress and the financial state of affairs. Life was healthy and Bliss was already beginning to build plans for the future and had even broached the subject of ground expansion. Positive news on all WSM fronts and then a gradual build up to a bombshell.

‘I’m finding life tough here with the workload at the club since promotion to the league and have taken advice about how to manage the club going forward. To that point I have taken on a Football Director to link between you and me. Old WSM man Frank Gregan. He will officially start in September. He knows the club and will be a great help to me.’

Silence......................... Mark threw the remainder of his sandwich in the bin as he was no longer hungry before replying ‘He’d better steer clear of me and the training ground...’ There wasn’t much more to be said and the meeting between the two ended leaving a bad taste in the mouth. As Mark drove to the training ground he reflected on the Bliss conversation. It made sense to bring someone else in to help with the football side and there were clear benefits. But Mark didn’t want to be hamstrung by interference and having no knowledge of the new man or his background meant that the WSM manager’s guard was now up but he would give the new man a chance to impact. He phoned on his car phone through to Bliss and smoothed the waters between them.

[markyt]

It was early Sunday morning and Mark had yet to return home following the Peterborough away game from the day before. Dawn had been breathtaking and he had seen the early morning sunlight first announce a new day as it broke across Torbay. After being dropped off at the club in the early hours he had driven to Elberry Cove and now at just after 5am he was sitting on the stone clad shoreline looking out at the sea glistening in the August sunshine.

He was already imagining the future Weston Mercury headline – Seagulls losing run continues!

It would soon be old news and the newspaper would quickly end up wrapped around holidaymakers fish and chips but the headline would still hurt. At 5am he was unsurprisingly alone on Elberry Cove. From his vantage point all he could see was miles and miles of the sea and the odd fishing trawler emerging from behind Brixham’s breakwater. Apart from the sea gently lapping the shore line it was a scene of total silence. He was lost in thought.

Peterborough away had seen the worst WSM performance of the season and despite an opening hand of 2 wins, 2 draws and a loss, dark clouds were looming over Woodspring Park. Early season promise still remained bright and for a club newly arrived in the football league it was more than most clubs would have hoped for from their baptism of fire. There was no pressure apart from that inflicted by the ex-Chelsea man himself and perhaps the reason why now at 5 in the morning he was alone and brooding. 7 points from 5 games and a mid table berth miles away from the bottom. That WSM had visited Peterborough, rock bottom of the second division and seen Keith Alexander’s side claim their first points of the season and grab a comfortable win. WSM after grinding through the gears on their rapid rise up the table had now apparently stalled. On the coach home Mark had overheard Frank Gregan talking to Paul Bliss and expressing his view of the club.

‘Mr Bliss, ‘I understand the tactics and style of play that Mark wants the team to play and I agree that it has been extremely successful to date but have you given any thought to the fact that the players fielded today perhaps don’t have any faith in his tactics. Secondly most of the teams seem to have gone away from a traditional 4-4-2 and perhaps mark needs to look at other options.’

Gregan droned on but Mark quickly gave up listening and pretended to be asleep.

He muttered under his breath loud enough for asst manager Wayne Jacobs to hear, ‘He can just F off, hell will freeze over before I listen to that gob *****..’

Mark added a couple of further comments that had Jacobs choking back the laughter but both knew that they would need to get results and quickly to avoid any contact with Bliss’s new recruit.

A crowd of just over 5000 had turned up to watch the game. After 15 minutes of fairly equal and uninspired play, Peterborough had broken the deadlock. Michael Gillan a late replacement for injured Adam Griffin had miss hit a clearance and Peterborough’s new signing Brendan Sheridan picked up the ball and calmly tapped the ball past Northmore before any white shirts got close to a tackle. But Mark Kerr a by now certainty for team selection had woken up the offensive line up and 5 minutes later WSM had leveled the score. Elliot Benyon now known as the Michael Owen of the 2nd division gratefully snaffled a simple chance.

Kerr saw his run and simply chipped the ball over the last defender and the pace of Benyon did the rest.

A burst of speed and after dummying the keeper with almost consummate ease a simple tap goal announced his 5th of the season. WSM stepped up the pressure for the next 20 minutes but with half time fast approaching Peterborough’s Sheridan grabbed his second goal for his new club.

Bailey caught out of position too slow to return from a corner gave Sheridan the time and space to make the best use of a direct ball lumped from the back.

Without looking up Sheridan took the ball early and the resulting shot sailed over the top of the advancing WSM keeper. It would win goal of the month.

Half time and Mark was forced to make changes. Bates and Benyon had picked up knocks and movement upfront had suffered accordingly and David Buchanan in the centre of the park was having a nightmare of a game. All change as Mark threw on Madjo, Charles and at long last the returning Newbold.

Walker and Holmes hugging the touch lines had hardly been involved in the game and this despite steady supply of the ball. Peterborough’s tactics of 4-4-3 were causing WSM problems and the tactical tweaks so far in the game had done nothing to change the story.

Kerr and Charles now held the key to the second half performance. The changes simply didn’t work and apart from a couple of half chances falling to Newbold WSM offered very little. Peterborough cut down the supply line and during the second half WSM didn’t deliver even one cross.

Mark again threw the dice moving to a 4-3-3 formation but Peterborough remained resolute and happy to close the game down. In the end Peterborough should have won more convincingly as an ever more desperate WSM left gaping holes at the back and poor finishing failed to punish them.

But with the whistle to the referee’s lips Madjo had the chance to earn WSM a point. A back pass left short had allowed him a chance. Madjo maneuvered the defender out of his way and with options to choose from greedily hit the ball from 30 plus yards. The jeer as the ball bounced in the stands perhaps said it all.

The keeper had seen the ball sail way over the crossbar. Newbold WSM’s best player of the second period was furious as he had made a run that had seen him evade his marker.

Mark tried to keep morale high in the dressing room. They would have better days that was fact.

But even Mark knew that his words were hollow. WSM had been poor and serious questions would now be asked of the squad over the coming weeks.

Footsteps broke the silence of Elberry Cove. Mark turned and was surprised to find Carolyn Smith walking towards him. He had no idea how she had managed to track him down.

She joined him and without a word nuzzled into him and Mark wrapped his arm around her.

Minutes later she broke the silence ‘Without doubt you are a creature of habit Mr Thomas, when the dark clouds come in this is where you head for…. ‘

Mark turned and kissed her passionately and with the sound of the sea crashing on the pebbles two became one…..

[markyt]

Mark was the last of WSM personnel to emerge onto the pitch for the Tuesday evening match against Macclesfield. Despite the recent run Mark emerged to a huge welcome. WSM were nestled in mid table and in the 2nd division which for many fans was as good as it could get.

That Mark wanted more and demanded better from the team was inconsequential for many of the die hard supporters. WSM were at their highest position in terms of the league system and something they would never forget regardless of the season’s rollercoaster ride ahead.

A crowd of 2857 greeted the two teams and for the gathered WSM supporters hope rather than expectation of a win. As Mark emerged from the tunnel he found Paul Ince waiting to shake his hand. The two were old friends and it was fair to say that Woodspring Park had never before seen two former England captains on the pitch.

They both chatted to each other as the final preparations were completed. Mark had returned to his own carefree self. The tenseness surrounding just days before had evaporated. The caged tiger was free and even Paul Bliss had noticed a change since Saturday. Carolyn Stewart was in the director’s box as a guest of the club and Bliss was clearly worried by her arrival especially after the appointment of Gregan but found that she to was calm, extremely pleasant and appeared at ease with the developments of recent days. Perhaps she had calmed Mark or had something up her sleeve.

Bliss was stressed and Carolyn revelled in making him uncomfortable.

The WSM side selected again hampered by injury with Charles returning to midfield and Madjo selected from the start. Madjo was delighted to be selected but unhappy at playing wide right especially as Newbold had walked back into the starting eleven to partner Benyon. Mark has spent time on the training ground schooling Madjo in his new role. Madjo’s role very different to the usual right wing position deployed by Mark at WSM. Mark required the striker to add some height especially when the ball was slung inform Walker’s left boot. Madjo’s ability in the air would unsettle the Macclesfield defence and give them something to worry about especially from corners or set pieces. Madjo was more a bull in a china shop to the agile Story or Holmes normally residing on WSM’s right flank.

After 20 minutes of action neither side had done enough in front of goal. Newbold had missed perhaps the game’s best chance after hitting a tame shot straight at the keeper after clever work by Michael Charles to thread the ball through to him. A smart turn had left the marker for dead but the hurried shot that followed disappointing and a groan echoed around the stands. But five minutes later the groan changed to cheers. Madjo was pushed in the back challenging for a high angled ball from Sharps. The foul just over the half way line allowed all but Bailey and Gillan to head for the Macclesfield area. Bailey’s ball into the box somehow avoided all of the big men for either side and with the Macc keeper also going AWOL it looked to be simply going out of play until it found Kerr who somehow headed across goal at a very acute angle. The ball clipped the post and went in. Mark punched the air in celebration. Madjo had been critical to the chance being created and was swamped by team mates in celebration. Having his mass in the box had added uncertainty and allowed Kerr the chance.

For the next 20 minutes it was all WSM. Dominant football with an end product created chances for Benyon and Newbold. With the game heading towards half time WSM pressed for a second goal. Madjo again at the heart of the action as his cushioned header fell to Charles who raced onto the ball and after controlling it steered it beyond the last defender asking Benyon to do the rest. Benyon was through and after a couple of step overs calmly thumped the ball under the diving keeper and raced towards the crowd to celebrate.

Half time and WSM were two up. Half time the team were brought back to earth. ‘A great first half lads but we haven’t won the game yet so concentrate and work for each other’ Marks overall message during the interval.

WSM from the kick off heeded their manager’s words. Decent football worked out wide to the flanks looking for Walker and Madjo to get to the by-line and deliver the cross for the waiting ensemble. Charles and Kerr dominant and in control in the centre of the park ensured that the back four remained resolute and well covered. Madjo on 70 minutes missed another sitter. Walker crossed and Benyon’s flick on dropped into the run of Madjo and with the net beckoning he volleyed the ball 20 feet over the bar. Mark looked towards Ince. Ince grinned at Mark and the two exchanged comments with Ince suggesting that Madjo was similar to Emile Heskey, all the right moves just in the wrong order. Mark laughed and could all but agree.

Macclesfield were never in the second half and despite drastic changes and Maccs defender ‘Mark Thomas’ winning the man of the match they deserved nothing from their 90 minutes of hard work. WSM should have been out of sight but a win is a win and as the final whistle blew Mark raised both arms in celebration. The crowd welcomed the win as loud as any of the promotions won in the previous two seasons. They were now above Macclesfield in 12th position and with one game left in the month the outlook as bright as that hot and sultry August evening. The dark clouds had cleared.....

Macclesfield - Home

2:0

[markyt]

Injuries and suspension were already taking a toll on Mark’s team selection. Now the final game of August would see WSM take on Lincoln at home with a team baring little resemblance to the team he had envisaged during the long summer months. The main concern still surrounded Grant McCann.

McCann had yet to start a league game and his talent in tandem with that of Mark Kerr had meant to be the driving force of the WSM midfield. Better news at last surrounded McCann as he was finally working his way back to full fitness and playing for the reserves.

Form and fitness now were being hunted down by the new key signing.

But Holmes, Story, Griffin, Bayley and the long term absentee Sawyer would be missing for some time to come.

As the players returned to training after the Macclesfield game Madjo became another name on the injury list and a certainty to miss the Lincoln game. Mark had seen no reason to change the eleven after the recent win but his hand was now forced. The choice between Bailey, Somner and Gibson wide on the right but moving Bailey forward would impact on the defensive line up and after debate between Mark and the backroom team they all agreed to leave the back four well alone. Somner’s lack of pace would be an issue so team selection quickly resolved itself with Graham Gibson as the obvious choice to fill the right hand side of midfield.

Gibson had been playing well in the reserves albeit playing as a striker and had hit the net with regularity so his selection based on form wasn’t entirely unexpected but it certainly added great impetuous to the rest of the squad during training. The loud and clear signal that playing well for the reserves would improve your first team chances was something that Olaoye, Brains and the defensive duo of Stewart and McKeown in particular grasped with all keen to press home their playing chances.

Mark stood on the sidelines chatting to Atkins and Jacobs as Baronowski ran the speed session and all three deep in conversation recognized that the back up squad was defiantly going to play its part over the coming months.

Jacobs had been tasked with managing the reserve team which itself had already amassed more points in a handful of games than their previous year’s counter parts had managed for the whole season. Mind you two points wasn’t exactly a difficult target to go for. There was much to be positive about around the club. As Mark drove away from the training ground heading for his office at Woodspring Park he reflected on the balance of keeping the squad happy versus picking the right team. It was all part and parcel of the manager’s role but at least this season there was choice for him to consider and the back up squad had given him food for thought.........

Lincoln were a club chasing promotion and already settled in the top five.

A full crowd had turned up at Woodspring Park to watch a fixture that in truth would probably provide a pointer to the clubs future fortunes. A win or a draw and the team would rightly hope to be mid table and above. A serious hammering and the lower end of the table would be the clubs long term prognosis and a long winter filled with fear and trepidation.

A fantastic game of football between to equally matched sides entertained each and every one of the 3000 packed into the ground. WSM during the opening minutes of the game were put under severe pressure and but for two smart Northmore saves would have found themselves two goals down after just 10 minutes. Both Lincoln chances were created from set plays and each chance fashioned a shot on goal that required Northmore’s timely intervention. The first from a corner headed with venom but strong hands pushed the ball over the bar and the second from a direct free kick that appeared to be going in until a final finger tip pushed it around the post. Mark breathed a huge sigh of relief and after a verbal volley aimed towards captain Scott Walker, WSM changed shape moving Charles further forward closing the gap between midfield and the strikers and finally the tide turned and WSM imposed themselves on the remainder of the half.

Newbold still looking for his first goal of the season was a constant threat but despite his huge work rate nothing would fall his way. Two half chances at best but neither tested the Lincoln keeper. Benyon in contrast was quiet. Apart from one chance on 30 minutes he was out of the game.

Walker had played in a cross weighted for Benyon’s run and the WSM top scorer ballooned his effort 12 feet over the bar. Benyon stared at the ground as if a divot had affected the bounce of the ball.

For all of WSM’s forward momentum Lincoln kept them alert and busy in defence and as the half time whistle sounded both managers would take much from the first period efforts.

Second half and as the heat of the afternoon took its toll the game slowed and the quality of football on show a credit to the division. Lincoln perhaps just shaded for procession but in truth any advantage marginal. WSM celebrated a goal on 65 minutes only for a late flag to rule the goal offside.

Graham Gibson had created the chance from nothing collecting a raking Kerr pass and after controlling the ball Gibson left his marker on the floor and struck a perfect shot from 28 yards. The ball cannoned off the frame of the goal to be returned with interest by Newbold with a simple header. Mark jumped in the air and celebrated a deserved goal only to be brought to earth at the sight of the late flag. With Mark keen to secure a win he threw on Bates and Olaoye upfront but despite WSM continued prodding and poking in the Lincoln half the game headed for the final minutes towards a draw.

A Lincoln free kick awarded for a nothing Kerr challenge forced WSM to defend in numbers. Time was up and after a shout from the Lincoln bench their keeper even made his way forward into the WSM box. Pandemonium ensued as desperate defending greeted a perfect delivery. After the ball had been half cleared after Northmore finally cracked the ball clear with a firm fist only for it to hit Evans and rebound into an unguarded net. Lincoln had grabbed an unlikely win and with WSM players strewn all over the goal area the final whistle blew.

After a brave effort it was no wonder both sides left the pitch to huge applause.

Lincoln – home

0:1

[markyt]

It was 7.30pm just a couple of hours after the Lincoln defeat which still left a bitter taste in Mark’s mouth.

WSM had deserved something from the game but after a very unfortunate ricochet an own goal had settled the match in Lincoln’s favour.

That the free kick given that preceded the goal mouth melee had been in Mark’s opinion a joke and replays did appear to show how innocuous Kerr’s challenge had been. It was a soft free kick....

The referee and Mark were kept apart at the end of the game as the WSM manager far from happy with the decision looked to take it further and the stand off earned Mark a severe warning on future conduct by the FA. Finally after some fierce sledging Mark was shepherded away from the scene by Jacobs and Aitkin’s. Mark’s post match changing room conversation was actually upbeat regardless of the result. Mark had calmed down and told the players that they had all played well and that their effort deserved to get something from the game. ‘Keep playing like that and we will do more than survive in this league.’

Showered and the post match interview process completed Mark was ready to head for home. Approaching his car he saw Oliver Jones a national tabloid reporter waiting for him close to the entrance of the car park. Jones was alone and activity around the ground had long since died down.

Jones greeted Mark warmly and the two shook hands, ‘Hi Mark, tough luck today your side deserved at the very least a draw if not more in my opinion.’

‘Thanks Ollie, we thought so too but that’s football I guess. But we are not too downhearted after the performance which personally I thought was top drawer and right on the money so I’m positive about the future.’

Mark was always wary of Jones especially as the journalist had the ear of Fleet Street. The two passed pleasantries before Jones finally arrived at the set of questions he clearly had on his agenda.

‘Having fun with your new football director, is he impacting on your ability to manage the team?’

Mark had been expecting a question in that direction and was well prepared to play the question with a straight bat. ‘No problem and there won’t be especially as he is working with the Chairman supporting the club with the day to day workload. His remit may be football related but specifically not the playing side which is and will remain my sole domain.’

Olly Jones tried to pierce Mark’s guard but without any success although after he had finally given up the line of questioning Mark did throw in an un pc comment about ‘cutting someone’s balls off if there was any interference with his job.’

Now came the real subject matter and the reason for Jones being there...

‘Any truth to the rumour that you will be off to Sunderland as early as next week if my sources are correct and that you were interviewed about the post before Taylor was eventually confirmed?’ Mark shrugged his shoulders and truthfully responded, ‘Olly I have no idea what your talking about and will not fall into your man trap so am going to say just two words on the subject. They are no comment!’

The journalist updated Mark on the rationale behind his name being linked to the post but Mark really didn’t know anything and was happy to keep it that way. Sunderland were in big trouble. Peter Taylor had been in post for just 7 games and not recorded a point or a win so far and with his new club bottom of the league the pressure for an instant turnaround growing by the minute. Rumours were now flying that Taylor had games to save his job and after spending all of the available transfer money no doubt that Niall Quinn and the other backers would be close to melt down....

Mark watched Oliver Jones in his rear view mirror as he drove away already the journalist was on the phone and reporting his news or lack of it as the case may be and as he turned left out of the car park his phone burst in interrupting the stereo. It was Carolyn.

‘Hi sexy how are you, ok after the game and I especially enjoyed your post match bust up which was beamed live on Sky...’ purred the voice down the line. Mark laughed at the thought of his recent referee spat,

‘Cazzy I’m ok despite today’s result, but I’ve just bumped into a journalist linking my name to Sunderland...’

Carolyn explained that it was one of the reasons for the call. It was all over Sky Sports News that there would be a board meeting on Monday to decide Taylor’s fate and that Mark would be seen as an ideal replacement. ‘Mark, I’ll fend off the press for you should the need arise but the question I must ask is do you want to relook at going there?’

‘No Carolyn that boat has sailed and if they had backed me to the same tune as Taylor then who knows what would have happened in the Summer, but I’ll pass.’

As the gap between WSM and his Exeter home closed Mark and Carolyn organised some plans for the weeks ahead and when the two could meet. The season was already racing by but there were gaps when the two could get tougher but as they wrapped up their conversation neither had an inkling that they would be thrown together sooner rather than later.

[markyt]

“The times they are a changingâ€

Mark had gone through his usual Monday morning routine clearing a backlog of post and emails. The post had included a couple of letters from players still looking for a club for the season and with one letter came a DVD. David McGurk a player Mark remembered well from the Conference season had recently been released by York and had taken the step of producing a DVD introduced by himself and featuring clips of recent performances. McGurk was a central defender and someone that had interested Mark previously to the point where he had the player heavily scouted but now with defensive options covered at WSM McGurk would be deemed a luxury rather than a necessity. Mark continued with the monotony of the desk job but clicked the DVD to its replay option. As he read, filed and deleted the emails he would frequently look at the TV screen. Mark looked at McGurk’s letter again and typed and sent an email to the player inviting him down for a trial period of two weeks. Almost instantly a response appeared in his inbox. McGurk had jumped at the chance and had accepted the opportunity of a trial. Mark emailed his pa and asked her to sought the finer details but in essence McGurk would appear at the club in 7 days time.

Before heading to training and getting the latest physio reports Mark had a scheduled monthly meeting with Paul Bliss where the two would step back into the old routine of reviewing the month ahead. Mark for once was early and finding himself alone in the board room poured himself a cold drink before helping himself to a blt sandwich. He leaned against the window frame and stared across Woodspring Park.

The ground bathed under late Summer sunshine still set the pulse racing. The changes to the club over two seasons had been incredible but the filling of Woodspring Park for almost every home game still perhaps the best achievement of all for WSM. Back to back promotion had assured decent crowds but to be fair to the WSM fans as soon as the football scene had changed under Bliss’s direction, vision and of course financial backing they had arrived at the club to support their local team. Many of the fans probably still supported other sides including the two Bristol teams but at least they had come along and joined the local success story and their continuing support would ensure the viability of the club long term.

The board room door opened and Frank Gregan entered. Gregan announced that Bliss was unavailable due to a diary clash and that he would be representing the board for the review meeting. Gregan’s ‘nit picking’ of the smallest of details from the start and a normal one hour session stretched to two and a half hours. With 6 games to consider during September the football detail seemed to take forever.

It wasn’t just the prognosis of each game but the review of travel arrangements, overnight stays many of which seemed to be highlighting cost saving options. Mark grew bored and quickly began to resent the overall structure and tone of the meeting.

As the session droned on and on Mark grew feistier than a fox.... and down to one word answers to the questions raised and then standing no more he yawned and went on the offensive.

‘Frank this session normally takes one hour; we are going through detail that I have absolutely no interest in talking about or even being involved in and in my opinion has no significance on my work. It sounds like Paul is extremely happy to delegate work to you but I am not here to hold your hand through that process and don’t think it is my remit to do so. The decision making on club matters as far as I am concerned is down to you except with the footballing matters and the direct powers under my control in relation to the playing side of this club. I will not accept interference from anyone with regards to the football whether it is side selected, tactics or style of football.

We have six games and I have set a road map for the month where I expect to pick up three home wins and a draw and I have had enough and am late for afternoon training.’

Gregan stared opened mouthed before replying, ‘I am keenly aware of my duties and where my boundaries lie. But I have an opinion and will give it when I see fit. I have a wealth of footballing experience and have been asked to join the club and use those skills and will do so.’

Mark just about managed to stop himself laughing and with as straight a face as he could manage replied ‘No issue at all there Frank, but we now both know the boundaries and indeed our limitations.’

The last comment was clearly a dig at Gregan and his so called footballing wealth of experience.

Gregan’s appointment was clearly appropriate for the club on its rise up the league ladder and Mark was comfortable with the decision.

Someone to smooth change, liase with sponsors, deal with travel and match details and look to make the club bigger and better all made sound commercial sense. But Gregan had no responsibility where playing matters were concerned although Mark was sure that over time Gregan would immerse himself in player contract negotiations when the time was appropriate. Mark was even fine with that as Paul Bliss couldn’t be expected to do everything but Mark was sticking two fingers up in the direction of the director of football.

The two continued to rub each other up the wrong way until the stand off was broken by the telephone ringing.

‘Mark I have the chairman of Sunderland football club, a Mr Quinn on the phone for you’ announced Bliss’s secretary over the loud speaker. Gregan caught the name and looked at Mark and finally was silenced.....

[markyt]

Gregan made a rapid exit from the boardroom and left Mark to his phone call. The conversation between Mark and Niall Quinn however was not the one that Gregan’s imagination was probably already adding up on his fingers and making 2+2 equal 5.

‘Hi Niall, what can I do for you’

‘Mark, grand to catch up with you big fella how’s life in the West Country?’

Mark smiled at the colloquial greeting from the Sunderland chairman. Mark was certainly tall and had a bigger body build than Quinn had been in their playing days but to be described as big fella by the over tall ex Arsenal & Man City striker amusing to say the least. ‘Good Niall, we just need to get some consistency, get some of my key players back on the pitch and we will be more than fine I’m sure. Which is more than I can say for your Sunderland’s season so far which doesn’t seem to have actually started.’

‘No point in denying the obvious. Peter Taylor has had a baptism of fire but we aren’t going to pull the plug despite reports to the contrary in the press. We have a whole new team; we think we have invested wisely in quality players and despite our season hopes lying basically in ruins after a handful of games we won’t be making a knee jerk reaction. Worryingly though with injuries and the like we expect things to get worse before they get better. That’s why I’m calling you.’

The conversation moved onto the reason for the phone call. ‘Mark, we are desperate for players. If I was called Dan, I’d be desperate Dan because we have to look at every option, clutch at any straw with zero money upfront and are looking to engineer some short term loan deals that may lead to money further down the road. You have a player that we think can make a difference....’

Mark fully expected the conversation to lead towards one of his star men being of interest to Sunderland. But he was as wide of the mark as a Guy Madjo chance in front of goal....

Quinn wanted to ascertain the availability of Madjo himself and it was obvious from the conversation that they had become aware of the player in the very recent cup game against Coventry. Mark could well understand why that game would have created interest with Madjo playing the role of a bowling ball knocking down defenders as if they were skittles. Presence wise Madjo was an impact player and when in the groove more than a handful. Paul Ince’s recent description of Madjo likening him to Emile Heskey was more than fair.

For the money WSM had paid to bring him to the club he was a bargain and he would score goals.

That Sunderland were looking for scraps at the foot of the league table and enquiring about Madjo perhaps a sign of their desperate situation but also a sign that WSM were now a club with a team that was being watched by much bigger fish. Quinn wanted a short term loan deal until January with an option to purchase at 500k with 20% of a further sale.

Mark promised to respond once he had spoken to Paul Bliss and the club’s ‘new director of football’.

It was transfer deadline day and the decision quickly made with which Mark was in full agreement with.

A possible payment of 500k at the end of December was something that the club couldn’t reject.

Within hours of Niall Quinn’s initial phone call Mark watched Madjo strut off into the sunshine and on his way to the North East.

Mark hoped that the transfer deadline decision wouldn’t be a regrettable mistake but at the same time he hoped that Madjo was a strike for his new club.

[markyt]

Mark stood for most of the 90 minutes in the technical area. The rain didn’t seem to stop for the duration of the game so by the time the final whistle eventually blew Mark was soaked through to the skin.

Nott’s County were pushing Hull at the top of the league and with a very direct style of play simply sweeping opponents aside amassing an incredible 3 goals a game as September arrived. In amongst the wins had been a 6 nil drubbing of Torquay and with WSM scratching for points and consistency no one, not even the most fervent traveling fan really expected to pick up a win on the road. Mark had watched the Nott’s County versus Torquay game on dvd prior to the match in the hope that he would find a chink in the County armour but he even had been in awe at the pace and ferocity of the midlands side. True their game was based on the long ball percentage game but the talent across the eleven black and white shirts allowed them to really excel at what they were being asked to do.

It had been raining for most of the day and as the game kicked off if anything the rain fell even heavier.

The pitch was heavy but the grounds men had worked hard and despite the volume of water falling during the day the pitch was playable and 5000 packed into Meadow Lane. Only a handful of WSM fans had made the weekend fixture and with a home crowd looking for another win to keep their early season momentum going it was an intimidating atmosphere. Mark welcomed Holmes back to the right wing replacing Gibson but other than that one change it was the same team that had narrowly lost out to Lincoln.

There had been mutterings in the local Weston Mercury newspaper that the club despite being comfortably placed in the league was suffering from infighting after its recent appointment. A battle of wills was underway. The suggestion that Madjo’s move to Sunderland had also been influenced by ‘club goings on’ would not go away.

The rehashed news of Mark playing a player out of position, and keeping a player on the bench after a disagreement were ultimately true if taken out of context.

Mark had been vehement with his answers but the questions wouldn’t stop and mutterings even amongst the handful of WSM fans at the game keen to find out the latest rumours and to express their own point of view on club matters. Madjo in a short space of time had become a cult hero despite his inaccuracy infront of goal.

But in each of the games Madjo had been used Mark had seen why he had spent money on the player and why he would always be a player to change a game rather than be a definite name on the team sheet. Madjo was an impact player, someone to change the flow of a game and open a door that had been locked and bolted before. Benyon and Newbold were his first choice strikers and for WSM to collect potentially 500k for a bench player excellent business.

Of course if Madjo struck 20 plus goals at Sunderland and WSM got relegated then everyone would know that Mark had made a right horlix of the manager’s job.....

WSM kicked off and with the rain and wind coming towards them struggled to find any cohesiveness and with the ball constantly being hit to the channels from the first whistle it was clearly going to be a long afternoon. Forward movement prompted by the excellent Kerr found Benyon and Newbold struggling to hold the ball up and their failure to do so did not allow the midfield four any time to join attack.

Nott’s County defending was simple, brutal and uncompromising and in attack they were equally as efficient.

Dispersed across the opening 20 minutes were a series of home side goal efforts that either by good keeping or sheer luck had kept the scoreline to zero. With less than a minute player Northmore had been beaten only to be saved by Bailey’s left boot appearing on the goal line just in the nick of time.

WSM were being put through a shredder and being torn apart. Mark stood stock still on the side lines yelling encouragement, offering advice but WSM couldn’t change their fortunes. It seemed only a matter of time before the home side would open the flood gates.....

Kerr ferociously slid into a 50/50 tackle and came out with the ball, an almost nonchalant look up saw Newbold racing clear and the pass floated perfectly into the striker’s path. Newbold tried to trick the marker and succeeded in claiming a free kick after a clumsy challenge. 35 yards out from goal and in Scott Walker territory and with everyone now fully expecting a trademark curler hit towards the top left hand corner. No one would have blamed the WSM winger for having a shot as no one else in the WSM shirt had had even had a glimour infront of goal and the game was already 30 minutes old. With the wall lined up Kerr stepped over the ball and as expected Walker moved towards it but instead of striking goalwards he wrapped his foot around the ball and pushed it out wide to the right wing where Sam Bailey burst onto the ball and drilled a shot from the edge of the box. The net blossomed as the ball hit it at with pace and velocity.

Bailey had been unmarked and his late arrival on the edge of the box unheeded.

Mark and the coaching staff high fived in celebration of a goal completely against the run of play and in recognition of a well worked set piece straight from the training ground.

County staggered after WSM had landed an unlikely blow and for the remainder of the half they licked their open wounds. One WSM shot at goal for the first half had resulted in a goal despite a barrage in the opposite direction. When you poke a tiger the best thing is not to use a short stick.

Mark changed tactics removing Newbold and adding Kirk to the midfield in the hope of stemming the tide. WSM were now set to 4-5-1 but County were riled and the torrent of the first half continued for the second 45 regardless to the changes made by the WSM boss. Chance after chance fell to the home side and it was desperate stuff. Finally the shots on goal ratio proved decisive and within a 2 minute period Nott’s County were infront with goals coming on 52 and 54 minutes. Evans and Sharps wilted under the pressure of high balls being slung into the box. The goals were coming and despite instant changes to the team by Mark after the first the damage had been done and with a side rocked back on the heels a second was only a matter of time.

The final whistle almost came as a relief. WSM had been ripped apart by an incredible display. Mark shook the hand of the County Manager and commented that his side had been ‘superb’. County had mustered 25 shots on goal to WSM’s one. As Mark waited for the players to walk off the pitch he heard a voice on the tannoy announcing the latest scores. Sunderland had scrapped a 3 all draw after coming from 2 goals behind to claim their first point of the season.

It didn’t take a genius to work out just who had hit the Sunderland goals to claw a point....

Madjo had made himself an instant hero and the mutterings of discontent at the club would grow louder.

[markyt]

Bump and grindstone?

Bury - away

There hadn’t been much time between fixtures and this meant that for the first time the team since Mark had been at the club that WSM had stayed on the road and made camp at a hotel in Salford Quays, Manchester in readiness for the Bury midweek fixture. The benefits were immediate in terms of reduced traveling time and the ability to spend time in each others company and learn more about the personalities of the players now at WSM. The flipside meant that there was very little time for player recovery and the time factor now impacted on the side as Mark had no choice but to shuffle the pack and introduce some new faces. However equally Mark had grown tired of the losing run and using the short gap between fixtures as a further excuse shuffled the pack and looked for the form players from the reserve team to stake a claim for a regular start. The defensive combination of Evans and Sharps was rested. Both players had been fit and ready to play and were clearly unhappy at being ‘dropped’ and apparently apportioned blame for the County loss. There was truth in their thought process. The WSM centre half pairing had struggled to cope with simple balls thrown into the box and when faced with speedy opposition had looked sluggish and a yard short of pace. It was time to try other combinations. Northmore was another casualty but despite Mark’s private view that the WSM keeper hadn’t been vocal enough in supporting his struggling colleagues a broken finger would keep him out of the green shirt for some time to come.

Being on the road had spared Mark the wrath of the media as it continued to hunt a ‘non story’. Madjo’s rapid exit and subsequent arrival as the ‘angel of the north’ to finally ignite Sunderland’s season had created a press storm. The blame game was being played and despite the real and obvious reasons, Madjo’s inability to hit a barn door from three feet and the fact that he would remain as a back up player to Benyon and Newbold, someone was making the story a big issue despite the money that could be secured should the deal materialize. Of course Mark couldn’t express the real reasons as that wouldn’t be right to either player of Sunderland.

‘Was Mark forced to sell?’

‘Why loan a player to a higher division club, when WSM needed to win games?’

‘Whose hand was involved in the move – frictions tear the club apart?’

It was all nonsense but with growing media noise the reports seemed to get even wilder with their claims.

Frank Gregan appeared to be taking all of the flak despite Mark’s vehement comments of denial and stating that he alone had taken the decision. The finger was pointing anywhere but at Mark and the train was running and unlikely to stop anytime soon.

Being stuck on the road with people watching their backs and looking for an excuse to row and ultimately avoiding contact made the days in the North West interesting but the Bury game gave Mark and the players something to focus on and out of the media loop despite the ‘bumpy’ road that everyone new they were traveling. Mark actually found the whole thing amusing and it certainly made life on the road more interesting than normal and the arrival of Carolyn to act as peace broker brought a further smile to the ex Chelsea man’s face.

Training in the North West had been positive. The players had enjoyed their temporary home at Sale’s Rugby Union training facilities and with the change of players to face Bury, everyone got finally their noses to the ‘grindstone’ and worked hard together to turn club fortunes around. Sharps and Evans perhaps the hardest working of all despite their enforced ‘rest’.

The team to face Bury: Brains in goal, Gillan, McKeown, Stewart and Bailey making the up the back four, Walker, McCann, Kerr and Holmes across the middle of the park with Benyon and Newbold partnered upfront.

[markyt]

Bury were a team struggling for form.

After selling the nucleus of the team that had just missed out on promotion the season before, including Dave Buchanan to WSM, the all new 2008 Bury team hadn’t gelled and were skirting the relegation places at the wrong end of the table. For WSM searching for that elusive win after their recent run of losses the next match could well be a deciding factor in their first ‘league’ two season destiny.

WSM were still part of a mid table group of clubs. A couple of wins would see any of those sides leap into the top half and dreams of a play off place. The division would be kept interesting for the majority of the season as there were three automatic promotion places and one chance via the playoffs. Teams in the top half of the table could still aspire for a play off chance almost to the last game of the season.

If WSM kept losing they would be sliding down the table and struggling to keep a foothold in the league. Teams at the bottom used to their perennial dogfight would more than likely be better prepared for such season difficulties. WSM would be in different territory and history had proven that teams promoted quite often bounced straight back down again unless they raced from the traps from day one or were a decent side.

The jury was out on WSM and only Mark and the players would know the answers.....

A 4500 crowd filled Gigg Lane to watch the game played out on a sunny September afternoon.

Mark’s favourite referee a Mr Poll from Tring officiating got plenty of verbal abuse all good humored from the WSM boss prior to kick off and as the whistle blew at 3pm Mark had already assumed his place in the touchline area. After a tentative start from both teams finally WSM emerged from the general malaise and put together a string of plays that left Bury struggling to cope.

McCann was everywhere and after weeks out from injury began to show the traveling supporters just what they had been missing. His all round play excellent, his first touch superb and whether it be in the centre of the park, supporting the strikers or clearing up at the back an inspiration to all. McCann sparked the rest of the side and Kerr and Walker in particular benefited from some of the responsibility being shared around.

On 12 minutes a delightful pass from Gillan dropped neatly for McCann and with time and space he raked a pass wide to Walker. Walker was wide open and took full advantage of the space and raced for the byline before crossing a ball asking to be hit. It bounced behind the Benyon and Newbold runs but Kerr after running from box to box caught the ball in his stride and his shot glanced the bar and over.

The WSM fans enthusiastically clapped the effort from their team and with the chances and the game going their way WSM grew in confidence and for the remainder of the half WSM took the game by the scruff of the neck. Benyon and Newbold both missed chances after excellent build up work. Benyon on 20 minutes was found by a lovely diagonal pass from Bailey only to see his effort ghost past the left hand upright.

Newbold on 35 minutes actually had the ball in the net only for Walker to have been ruled offside when the ball had been played through to him by Benyon. Mark barracked the ref and earned a barrage back.

The flag had been late and Mr Poll knew it and smiled sweetly at Mark. Walker had strayed offside but the linesmen had been so late to wave the yellow flag.

The WSM supporters were getting restless. All of the play and with chances falling at regular intervals and yet still their team hadn’t scored. It was a familiar story and Mark was already rewriting his half time notes when Newbold finally scored. The game late into injury time at the end of the first half when Gillan collected a ball from the WSM keeper quickly passing to the unmarked McCann who turned burst forward and knocked the ball towards Benyon. Benyon headed the ball wide out to the left searching for Scott Walker and Walker again given the freedom of Gigg Lane darted for the goal line before curling a cross into the path of Newbold who didn’t miss from 9 yards. Walker’s cross had been a wicked ball and it bounced between keeper and defender and as Bury dithered, Newbold caught the ball perfectly sweeping it past the hesitant Bury keeper.

Half time and Mark was forced to make a change. Benyon had landed awkwardly after providing the header towards Walker and the opening goal and Mark would take no chances. Bates would start the second half. Mark warned the team to be careful of Bury as they would have been rocketed by their manager during the interval and be keen to redeem themselves after not turning up for most of the first half.

Mark’s words of warning proved way off beam. Bury continued to struggle and with the Gigg Lane beginning to get on their backs they went into a shell and struggled to move into the WSM half.

How WSM only scored one goal would be the main item of post match talk but despite further chances none could be converted.

Bates looking sharp during the second 45 minutes was perhaps ruled offside when he was clearly on.

His lovely chip beat the desperate Bury Keeper and despite defenders best efforts to keep the ball out of the net Bates raced away to celebrate his goal. In all of the noise the flag had been missed.

Mark watched the reply on a pitch side monitor and saw clearly that the goal should have counted. Fortunately it didn’t matter.

WSM ran out comfortable and deserved winners and Bury hadn’t tested WSM keeper Jonny Brains even once.

Mark punched the air with relief as much as joy. WSM had broken their losing sequence of games.....

Bury – away

1:0

[markyt]

After the Bury win the searching for a scapegoat for club turmoil disappeared just as quickly as the witch hunt had started in the first place. ‘Who was creating mischief at the club, who was pulling the strings, was their beloved manager about to walk; the murmurings were growing by the day....’ Carolyn’s timely arrival had put the issues in their rightful home although she had quite probably used a cricket bat where it hurt to achieve the end result.

Definition of Gregan’s role at the club was formerly documented and the role introduced ‘properly’ to the media to ensure that the signals sent from the club were consistent. Carolyn using every trick from her media savvy agent background skillfully wove the fragmented club pieces into one and personally presented the new regime to all interested parties. The black cloud surrounding the club lifted almost immediately although it was clear that the bridge between the director of football and the manager itself would take some time to rebuild.

Respect needed to be earned, but at least Gregan was now focused. Club development and looking to grow the club position within the local community in addition to adding a football slant to board meetings. He would also cover for Paul Bliss in the areas of contract negotiation and player purchase and sale should the need ever arise.

The signal that shone bright on the horizon for all to see was that Mark and Mark alone had sole responsibility for all footballing matters both on and off the pitch. His voice was the only one that would decide who would come and go and importantly when.....

In all honesty there was no change as far as the ex-Chelsea man was concerned but at least everyone now knew where the clear and visible demarcation point was. Gregan would simmer for weeks at being sidelined from the area he felt should be within his club remit but that was his problem. Mark had won the war and enjoyed the victory!

After the regular football programme of the last few weeks Mark had used the midweek game at Bury as an excuse to watch Chelsea at Old Trafford. Chelsea hammered a poor United side 4 nil in a game that saw Rooney sent off for a late nasty tackle. Nothing had been arranged but Carolyn took advantage of her WSM peacemaker role and stayed in the North West for a few days. During the day she met a series of clients both football and entertainment but with the evenings free the two were happy to spend time together. Apart from the game at Old Trafford the most of Manchester they saw was from the confinement of a luxurious hotel bedroom and Mark certainly didn’t complain at the close attention from some robust marking.

Mark returned to the training ground in high spirits and for once there was no injury news to put a dampener on the WSM manager’s day and for the home game against Brighton Mark was more than happy to pick the same eleven that had played so well in the last league match. Benyon had been the only possible concern but the WSM striker declared fit after just 45 minutes action on the Tuesday night.

Brighton were next up to visit the South West.

[markyt]

Seagulls versus Seagulls and the goal of the season.....

Brighton arrived in good form handily placed for a promotional charge behind league leaders Hull.

The talking was done as the two teams emerged from the tunnel into bright sunlight and a crowd at just over 2900 reacted noisily to welcome their footballing heroes. Mark selected an unchanged team and with the chosen eleven aware of the squad players pushing hard for a starting place, competition and determination to cement a first team shirt was found within the changing room in equal measure. For Mark the squad had grown closer during the difficult losing run and despite players being obviously disappointed at not being picked there was not one voice of discontent.

Mark strode onto the pitch and warmly shook the Brighton manager’s hand. Mark had known Dean Wilkins for years through his family connections to Stamford Bridge. Ray Wilkins was the most famous of the four footballing brothers and Dean had been the only one not to play for Chelsea. By the time Mark had arrived at Stamford Bridge as a teenager the three had already moved elsewhere but the Wilkins name was a name that was part of the history and folklore of the west London club. Ray Wilkins had been the WSM manager’s schoolboy hero and for Mark to actually play in a similar position to that of ‘Butch Wilkins’ a decade or so later had been stuff of legend.

That and the cleaning Kerry Dixon’s boots for a season or two.....

The quality on show at Woodspring Park was a cut above the division standard. Brighton had hit a purple patch in terms of a winning run and their confidence in their ability oozed from the opening whistle. Neat interchanges built around a mixed passing game with a keenness to get the ball on the deck. The ethos of Wilkins was almost a carbon copy of Mark himself. Brian Clough a former Brighton manager would have loved the efforts of his old team and Mark who had been kissed more times than he could remember by the Forest legend almost could here Cloughie’s voice saying ‘if god had meant football to be played in the air he would have put grass up in the sky’.

WSM were every bit as good as the team playing before them....

With the cut and thrust and jousting for supremacy a tight opening period ensued. For all of the quality after 20 minutes no keeper had been seriously tested although there had been half chances at each end of the ground. Finally the quality of play brought the first goal of the game. Mark Kerr lost out in midfield and with a cleverly placed ball Sam Bailey had been taken out of the game.

The right hand side of defence was now exposed and the Brighton left sided midfielder closed onto the penalty area and as Stewart closed down the space the Brighton man lashed the ball goalwards.

Was it a shot or was it the perfect pass? If it was a shot Brains had it well covered but the ball was equally played into the perfect place to create maximum panic at the back and with WSM McKeown defender struggling to stay goal side of the Brighton striker the faintest of touches steered the ball past a wrong footed Brains. 32 minutes played and Brighton were in front.

Brighton now were in the ascendancy and for the remainder of the half took control and but for the odd counter attack WSM were subdued and playing for the interval and time to regroup.

Mark’s half time team talk was anything but despondent. The WSM manager actually was confident of claiming a win and tweaked the West Country side’s tactics to take advantage of way back into the game. McCann would now move into an advanced role and look to support the front two on the break. Mark Kerr would be required to cover a lot more of the defensive work across the middle of the park but had the engine to cope admirably with the added demands of the second half.

Brighton returned to the pitch looking to stretch their lead and as the WSM tactics bedded in chances were created by Wilkins charges but Brains and the back four steadfastly refused to allow any further goals.

As the game moved into the final 1/3rd in terms of playing time WSM were now searching for the equalizer.

The new tactics had caused Brighton to move to 4-5-1 and McCann in particular was almost roaming free creating sheer panic in the space between defence and midfield. Finally WSM scored the goal that their play fully deserved. That it would win goal of the month and in turn goal of the season and be talked about for weeks afterwards at the time irrelevant.

65 minutes had passed and Stewart pumped the ball out of defence and after some head tennis in the centre of the pitch the ball bounced to McCann. McCann played a neat one two with Newbold before emerging in the penalty box and facing the keeper in a one on one chance. McCann conscious of defenders around him snapped the ball goalwards and but for the slightest touch would have celebrated a goal. The keeper pushed the ball against the left hand post and a Brighton boot whacked the ball anywhere but the penalty box. McKeown heading towards the man of the match award controlled the ball and moved forward before finding Mark Kerr free 10 yards from the edge of the Brighton box. Kerr turned twisted past the first marker left the second for dead before thumping a shot of 30 yards plus into the top left hand corner. The second the ball left the outside of his right foot it was net bound. As the ball crashed into the net 2500 or so WSM fans erupted into a roar of approval and celebrated one of the best goals seen at the ground and Mark screaming ‘you beauty’ to Jacobs and co on the WSM bench.

With Brighton now holding on Walker and co pushed the pedal to the metal and hunted down a winner and Newbold in particular cursing his luck as two half chances failed to hit the target. With time up McCann darted forward and withstood heavy challenges before laying the ball off to the willing Kerr. With the crowd screaming for him to shoot Kerr glanced up and struck another shot from just inside the 40 yard mark and with the crowd momentarily silenced as they watched the flight of the ball the crossbar pinged as the ball cannoned over. A huge groan followed quickly by the final whistle. All square and a tremendous game to watch regardless of the team supported. Mark and Wilkins shook hands and admitted the draw was a fair result.

Brighton – home

1:1