Welcome to Romford

[Greyfriars Bobby]

I've enjoyed following this story, Chris. Best wishes in your life away from FMS, and I'll be eagerly looking forward to your next story.

[CFuller]

I've enjoyed following this story, Chris. Best wishes in your life away from FMS, and I'll be eagerly looking forward to your next story.

Once again, thanks. I'm not quite finished yet - I'll post up the World Cup review shortly, and then that'll be it for this story.

[CFuller]

FIFA World Cup review: Qatar 2022

Qualification

Defending champions Spain and free-scoring England blazed through the European qualifiers, and Holland also impressed as they pipped Italy to top spot in their group. Belgium and Scotland joined the English in finishing unbeaten, while Ghana boasted a perfect record in Africa. In North America, Mexico qualified in the most emphatic style - they won 15 out of 16 matches, and Porto's Carlos Fierro scored no fewer than 19 goals!

 

Germany's record of qualifying for every FIFA World Cup they'd entered was in jeopardy until they saw off the Republic of Ireland 4-2 in a European play-off. Italy also had to scrap for their spot against Russia, and Argentina's place wasn't secure before the final round of South American qualifiers. The United States, however, missed their first finals since 1986, and the World Cup would also be without 2019 Copa America champions Venezuela.

 

Although Venezuela could not secure a World Cup debut, one nation did make history. Belarus brushed aside Bosnia & Herzegovina in the play-offs, thus becoming the only newcomers at the 2022 finals. Panama and host nation Qatar would each be making their second appearances.

 

QUALIFIERS: Argentina, Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Holland, Iran, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Panama, Portugal, Qatar (hosts), Scotland, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine.

 

Group Stage

Italy narrowly won a closely-contested Group A ahead of Australia, as Germany suffered a shock early exit following three draws. Spain easily secured top spot in Group B, despite losing Nando Ribas to a broken wrist in their win over Ghana, although the holders did slip up against China. Two late goals from 20-year-old Ban Ou earned the Chinese dragons a famous 2-1 win and put them into the last 16 for the very first time.

 

France were in ominous form, as they scored 14 goals (including 7 against South Africa) in winning Group C. Brazil were much less impressive, and they only continued their progress after beating Panama 3-0. Meanwhile, Group D ended in dramatic fashion. Former champions Ukraine were all set to finish top until Colombia scored a 90th-minute winner in their final group match against Canada.

 

England utterly dominated Group E, as they won all three matches and didn't let eventual runners-up Belgium have a single shot at goal! Mexico had a similarly strong hold on Group F, with Fierro scoring in every one of their three victories. Second place went to South Korea, who provided some exciting attacking football.

 

A last-gasp winner from the great Lionel Messi (playing in his fifth World Cup) against Egypt would be crucial for Argentina. La Albiceleste went on to win Group G, narrowly beating off Holland on goal difference. Qatar defeated Jamaica 2-0 in their first match of Group H, but that was as good as it got for the host nation. They later lost by the same scoreline to Scotland and Portugal, who finished 2nd and 1st respectively.

 

GROUP A: Italy* (1st, 5 pts), Australia* (2nd, 5 pts), Germany (3rd, 3 pts), Chile (4th, 1 pt).

GROUP B: Spain* (1st, 6 pts), China* (2nd, 5 pts), Ghana (3rd, 4 pts), Greece (4th, 1 pt).

GROUP C: France* (1st, 9 pts), Brazil* (2nd, 4 pts), Panama (3rd, 3 pts), South Africa (4th, 1 pt).

GROUP D: Colombia* (1st, 7 pts), Ukraine* (2nd, 4 pts), Cameroon (3rd, 3 pts), Canada (4th, 1 pt).

GROUP E: England* (1st, 9 pts), Belgium* (2nd, 6 pts), Ivory Coast (3rd, 1 pt), Iran (4th, 1 pt).

GROUP F: Mexico* (1st, 9 pts), South Korea* (2nd, 4 pts), Sweden (3rd, 3 pts), Belarus (4th, 1 pt).

GROUP G: Argentina* (1st, 5 pts), Holland* (2nd, 5 pts), Egypt (3rd, 3 pts), Japan (4th, 2 pts).

GROUP H: Portugal* (1st, 7 pts), Scotland* (2nd, 5 pts), Qatar (3rd, 3 pts), Jamaica (4th, 1 pt).

* through to Round 2

 

Round 2

The knockout phase began with a fiery encounter between China and Italy, which the Azzurri comfortably won 4-0. China midfielder Zhang Zhongkai saw red, as did Manolo Gabbiadini, who opened the scoring for Italy. Things were much more sedate when Spain edged out plucky Australia 1-0. The champions' only goal came from Álvaro Vadillo in the 69th minute.

 

Colombia and Brazil faced each other for the right to become South America's representatives in the Quarter Finals. Surprisingly, it was the Colombians who came out on top after Borussia Dortmund left-back Stiven Usma scored in the dying moments. Then came a repeat of the 2014 Final between France and Ukraine. Les Bleus avenged their defeat from eight years earlier, with Antoine Griezmann scoring the decisive goal.

 

Belgium moved into the last eight after a second-half brace from Christian Benteke helped them to knock out Mexico 3-1. England also scored three times, without reply, as they ended the hopes of Asia's last remaining team. South Korea succumbed to goals from Jack Wilshere, Nathaniel Chalobah and Damien King.

 

Holland overcame Portugal after frontman Danny Hoesen scored the only goal of a match littered with fouls. Round 2 was rounded off with yet another memorable victory for Scotland. Jordan Rhodes and Grant Hanley both scored within the first 10 minutes, and Argentina could only reply with one goal from Javier Pastore.

 

RESULTS: Italy 4-0 China, Spain 1-0 Australia, Colombia 1-0 Brazil, France 1-0 Ukraine, Belgium 3-1 Mexico, England 3-0 South Korea, Holland 1-0 Portugal, Scotland 2-1 Argentina.

 

Quarter Finals

Spain vs France was a surprisingly dour affair, but just like in the previous round, La Furia Roja squeezed through by one single goal. Vadillo was once again the hero, scoring with the game's only shot on target after 67 minutes. Colombia were tantalisingly close to making their first Quarter Final appearance a victorious one, but Pedro Ramos' opener was cancelled out in injury time by Italy's Guido Dri. Glauco Dotto then scored twice in extra-time as the Italians advanced and the South Americans fell by the wayside.

 

Scotland were unable to make any further progress after Belgium overwhelmed them. Two goals from Lefevre in between strikes from Marouane Fellaini and Axel Witsel booked the Red Devils a place in their first Semi Final since 1986. England also ended a long wait to reach that stage in a World Cup, thanks to their 2-0 win over Holland. Wilshere and Wilfried Zaha were on target as the Three Lions ended their 32-year absence from the last four.

 

RESULTS: Spain 1-0 France, Italy 3-1 Colombia (aet), Belgium 4-1 Scotland, England 2-0 Holland.

 

Semi Finals

Lusail witnessed an exciting first Semi Final between Italy and Belgium. Lefevre drew first blood for Belgium in the 14th minute, only to see Dotto and Marco Verratti turn the tie in the Azzurri's favour. Italy then moved well clear late in the second half, as Dotto's sixth goal of this World Cup was swiftly followed by one from young Mohammed Said. Delio Rossi's men were 4-1 winners, meaning they advanced into their sixth World Cup Final. Victory there would equal Brazil's record of five world championships.

 

Spain's meeting with England in Doha didn't have quite as much drama as the UEFA Euro 2020 Final that they contested. There were no goals in normal time, although there was a key moment in the 52nd minute, when England midfielder Wilshere was sent off for two bookable offences. Spain made their advantage count, as defender Álvaro Domínguez headed in an extra-time winner after 105 minutes. Even without Ribas, the Spaniards remained on course to retain their crown.

 

RESULTS: Italy 4-1 Belgium, Spain 1-0 England (aet).

 

3rd Place Play-Off

The 3rd Place Play-Off in Lusail ended with England narrowly beating Belgium - just like in the Group Stage. Belgium went ahead twice through Maxime Adam and Kevin De Bruyne, but King cancelled those goals out with strikes in the 20th and 49th minutes. King completed his hat-trick in the second half of injury-time, giving England a 3-2 win and the bronze medal. After the match, Three Lions boss Brendan Rodgers announced that he would step down.

 

RESULT: England 3-2 Belgium (aet).

 

Final

Italy and Spain came face-to-face at Doha's Khalifa International Stadium as the 22nd World Cup reached a thrilling climax. It originally looked like being a Spanish procession, as Borussia Dortmund striker Juanmi scored in the 11th and 43rd minutes to put the holders 2-0 up. The Azzurri came back much stronger in the second period, and Dotto halved the deficit after 72 minutes following an error from Spain keeper David De Gea. Dotto already had the Golden Boot sewn up, and with five minutes remaining, he scored yet again to make it 2-2 and force extra-time.

 

Italy played more conservatively in extra-time, while Spain went all-out in a bid to retake the lead. After 103 minutes, Juanmi floated in a cross towards Sergio Busquets in the Italian box. Filippo Casetta tried to clear the danger, but the Roma centre-back could only turn the ball into his own net! That was a bitter blow for Rossi's Azzurri, who were unable to get another equaliser. Spain had won the first ever World Cup Final to be decided by an own goal, and they became the first team since Brazil in 1962 to defend their world title.

 

After Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos, Javi Martínez became the third Spanish captain in 12 years to lift football's greatest prize. This win could mark the end of another golden era, as head coach Tito Vilanova bowed out on a massive high. He is just the second coach to win back-to-back World Cups - the first was an Italian, Vittorio Pozzo.

 

RESULT: Spain 3-2 Italy (aet).

 

Award Winners

Golden Ball: Glauco Dotto (Italy).

Golden Boot: Glauco Dotto (Italy, 8 goals).

Yashin Award: David De Gea (Spain).

Best Young Player: Roberto (Spain).

Goal of the Tournament: Grégory Lefevre (Belgium, vs Iran - Group Stage).

Dream Team: David De Gea (Spain), César Azpilicueta (Spain), Yasar Eroglu (France), Álvaro Domínguez (Spain), Jordi Alba (Spain), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (England), Guido Dri (Italy), Lorenzo Crisetig (Italy), Grégory Lefevre (Belgium), Moussa Kari (France), Glauco Dotto (Italy).

[CFuller]

And so, after ten seasons, 'Welcome to Romford' has come to an end.

Thank you to all of those who have read and/or commented on this story. Your continued support has helped to make the countless hours I have put into writing this story worthwhile.

I hope to return with the second installment of my manager's story later in the year. Until then, goodbye.

Christopher Fuller (CFuller)

20 September 2015

[Smkx_Muldoon]

Started reading this recently and enjoying it. Found the link via another author's story.

[CFuller]

1 hour ago, Smkx_Muldoon said:

Started reading this recently and enjoying it. Found the link via another author's story.

Thank you. Nice to see that this old story can still attract new readers.

Unfortunately, part of the later seasons was lost in the forum migration a few summers ago, so this thread doesn't have the complete story anymore. Fortunately, I've uploaded a PDF file, which not only has the full story, but also makes it somewhat easier to read.

Also... @mark wilson27 Please check your PMs.

[Smkx_Muldoon]

Ah nice one thanks. Yeah, living in Brentwood and growing up around Thurrock I know the local non-League scene well and it grabbed me straight away.