Please note that the Football Club AGM has been moved back a week to Sunday May 27th, details of which will be emailed out in the  next few days.

After the 8′s Spring Cup win, this week Mike Myers and the 6′s will seek to imitate them and bring home AP’s fourth trophy of the season when they travel to Alleyn Old Boys.

Fixtures for Saturday 12th May

6′s: Away vs Alleyn Old Boys – Meet 12.45pm @ London Bridge Overground Station – 3pm kick off.

Club Dinner this Friday

This club’s end of season dinner takes place on Friday, at the clubhouse. With more or less every AP team enjoying some level of success this season (or so it seems), and some great speakers lined up, turnout should be fantastic.

The evening will begin at 7.00 and we will sit down for the meal at 8.

Please note that all guests are expected to wear a jacket, shirt and trousers – i.e. no jeans, t-shirts or trainers allowed!

If you haven’t booked your place yet contact either your captain or Richard Gibbs - richard_gibbs@live.co.uk

For Team Captains

1st Team captain Alex Patterson will be delivering his state of the union speech at the club dinner and is asking for your help in providing your teams anecdotes, highs, lows, etc from the past season. If you could contact him via Twitter (@alexjpatterson) or, if you don’t know what that is, you can send him an email

Fixtures for Saturday 5th May

2′s: Home vs Old Easthamieans – Meet 1pm @ Fred Knight – 2pm kick 0ff Cancelled

6′s: Home vs Southgate Olympic – Meet 1.30pm @ Racecourse – 3pm kick 0ff

Keiran & Danny O’Leary were excited about the 2012 tour.

DEPARTING: Thursday 16th August
RETURNING: Sunday 19th August

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:

• Return train travel from London Kings Cross
• Coach transport whilst in York
• 3 nights – 4 Star (bed & breakfast)
• All match fees
• Evening floodlit game versus non-league Pocklington Town FC
• Ticket to the home of the Northern racing scene, Catterick Races (Ladies Evening)
• Saturday admission to Tribfest, the world’s biggest tribute band music festival
• Tour merchandise including polo-shirt, t-shirt and other goodies!

Cost per person: Only £320!

Building on the huge success of last year, APFC will again travel north for its 2012 pre-season tour…

This tour will give you the chance to test yourself against non-league opposition, take in the sights of historic York, and experience the fantastic social side of touring!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION! ACTION REQUIRED!

Places on the APFC pre-season tour are strictly limited to just 24. If you want to be part of the ‘Tangerine

Army‘ travelling to York this year you must act now!

This 3-night, action packed tour guarantees a stunning experience. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity!

• To guarantee your place on this event you must pay a £150.00 non-returnable deposit
• This must be paid no later than Friday 4th May 2012

Contact Martin Egan on 07984 297 582 for payment details

Should you require any further tour information, talk to me today.

Martin Egan – Tour Manager

Mob: 07984 297 582

Email: me.londonfootballacademy@btconnect.com

The Invincibles

Congratulations to the 8′s who won their first trophy  in history with a 3-2 win over HSBC in the Spring Cup final. Goals from Josh Roberts,  Ollie Tolcher and Pete Croft ensured the win. The Senior Division 3 champions 1′s  finished their league campaign as Invincibles thanks to a 1-1 draw away to HSBC. TheJunior Division 3 champions 3′s finished their league campaign in style with a 5-0 drubbing of Old Stationers. The Reserves paid for defensive errors losing 5-2 away to West Wickham. The 6′s Spring Cup final was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Results for Saturday 28th April

1′s: HSBC 1 – AP 1

2′s: West Wickham 5 – AP 2

3′s: AP 5 – Old Stationers 0

8′s: AP 3 – HSBC 2 (O.Tolcer, Roberts, Croft)

8's vs HSBC - Spring Cup Final - 28th April 2012

If this turns out to be Pete Croft’s last appearance for AP8′s then he signed off in great style with the winning goal in a pulsating Spring Cup final. After tabloid revelations about his private life, speculation is rife that Croft will depart the Racecourse this summer and has already agreed lucrative terms with South London giants Stonewall FC. A club source confirmed post match that the classy forward just feels more “at home” on the other side of the river.

On a huge occasion, any cup final nerves were soon eased as AP raced into an early lead when award winning striker Josh Roberts capiltalised on some hesitant defending to open the scoring. Within ten minutes that lead was doubled as top scorer Olly Tolcher netted his 14th of the season after more HSBC mistakes. Two nil up and flying the AP 8s came close to adding a third when ‘changing room legend’ Dan Ware burst into the HSBC area and was a stud’s length away from getting on the end of an Olly Tolcher cross. Memories of Gazza at Euro 96. Tolcher just seemed to “sense” Ware was nearby and delivered a terrific low cross to the back stick. A Ware goal would have been well deserved and it wasn’t the first time the defender has come close this season. There would be more goalmouth action to follow. 

In typical AP 8s fashion they seemed to be unable to finish off their opponents and allowed HSBC back into the game. A rare corner caused problems in the AP area and the referee awarded a soft penalty against Roberts for shirt pulling. The spot kick was converted and HSBC were back in business. Moments before half time a long looping ball into the AP box found Dan Ware fantasising that he was still at the other end of the pitch… The defender leapt above his man to power a header towards his own goal. The superb Jamie Roberts made a point blank save but the ball fell kindly for an HSBC stiker to find the empty net. 2-2 and the game was back to square one.

If giving away silly goals has been commonplace this season, so has AP 8s ability to pull together and show great team spirit where other sides heads would have dropped. After a brief half time discussion the team came out and produced one of their best performances of the season. Captain Jack Parsons was absolutely outstanding in midfield, as was Gavin Johnson. The duo broke up many HSBC attacks and used the ball superbly once they’d won it back. James Broome was introduced at left full back and had a fine half, turning defence into attack at every opportunity. AP piled on the pressure with the combination of Olly Tolcher, Pete Croft, Paddy Knight and Josh Roberts looking dangerous at every attack. Paddy Knight had his best game in an AP shirt and dominated the right side of midfield. His work rate enabled him to give extra cover at right back and also produce the goods going forward. Knight’s brilliant cross was headed narrowly wide by Croft and then Olly Tolcher forced a finger tipped save from the HSBC keeper with a 20 yard effort.

Tolcher then delivered another excellent free kick into the HSBC box which their goalkeeper found too hot to handle….the outstanding Croft was on hand to head in the decisive goal. 3-2 to AP 8s and one hand on the trophy. The bankers pushed for an equaliser but crunching tackles from Will Dudmish, Ware and Parsons protected the narrow lead.

With ten minutes left of play, and to the disgust of the whole HSBC team, the referee blew the final whistle and the game was won. A brilliant AP performance to bring home their first piece of silverware. As Player/ Coach Simon Tolcher went forward to collect the cup he was, instead, handed an official tea towel by the league’s chairman. The team didn’t complain and proudly raised this above their heads and danced around in wild celebrations. Apparently the SAL trophy department had received an unusually large order for trophies from AP this season so there is, understandably, a back log. The real cup and medals will be delivered at a later date. Maybe even in time for the club dinner. The winners celebrated long into the night after a great end to their season. MOM for this game is very difficult to pick, with Jack Parsons, Pete Croft, James Broome and Paddy Knight all strong candidates. Gavin Johnson just edges it after a near faultless display in the centre of midfield.

So, after a very decent season for the AP 8s they finally get their name on the ‘winners’ list of honour at the club. A mid table finish and some silverware fully deserved.

Mentions must also go to a few others that made big contributions this season:

Jack Dudmish, Tom White, Ditmir S, Kevin Soar and Eric Madgewick all made big contributions to our cup run but didn’t get to play in the final. They all added some class, effort and commitment to the cause and were a credit to the team. ALL of them also turned out to support us in the cup final which was much appreciated by the rest of the lads and showed the team spirit we have built.

Matt Tarrant put in some excellent midfield performances throughout the season and was unlucky not to play for longer in the final. Dave Potter and Jan Lott were two of our top performers this year and both contributed brilliant performances and goals. Adam Jenkins for his ridiculous beard and vitally important penalty vs Broomfield, Nigel Bagley for his wonder goal against the 7′s, and Emlyn Robbins for his first ever AP goal and some fine match saving tackles over the season. Finally, a big mention to George Waldrum, who scored a wonder goal in a pre-season friendly, started the campaign on fire, suffered a horrific injury, contracted Chicken Pox, made a come back, and then started the 8s whole cup success with the winning goal against the 7′s (from left back). Had it not been for some management indecision, and a referee that couldn’t tell the time, he would have had much longer on the pitch in the cup final. He definitely deserved that for his efforts throughout the season.

Player of the season: Jamie Roberts (who also scored one goal). Joint runners up: Jack Parsons / Olly Tolcher

Goal of the season: Olly Tolcher. Runner up: Nigel Bagley

3's vs Old Stationers - 28th April 2012

Scorers: Smith, Brade 3, Morruzi(honest)

And so to the final game on a day which in most cases would have meant a cancellation. Regardless of this we turned up keen and ready for the challenge. The ref had a look at the pitch and gave it the ok, although we must thank Mark Carter for re-marking some of the lines to satisfy the ref. All we needed now was some oppo, and with half hour to go they had three. To their credit they managed to get ten together and wanted to play the game. Other teams may have voided the game especially in such conditions. From our point of view it would have been a shame for the season to finish with a cancelled fixture.

With kick off approaching we set up with Michael in goal, Leon at right back, Ziggy at left back, Will and “Gloves” Jonesy in the centre. Across midfield were Liam, Jed, Jason and Fraser. Young Will sat in behind Ash who was looking to grab the golden boot. Morruzi and the skips graced the bench.

We started playing uphill in the first half and it took us a while to settle and play the football we know we can. Stationers matched us early on and the difference in numbers did not show. Gradually though we began to exert more pressure and keep the ball better. Leon especially was finding loads of space and pushed forward at every opportunity. Jed and Jason were grinding the oppo down in the centre and Fraser and Liam were stretching Stationers on the flanks. Ash finally began to concentrate on the game instead of his personal vendetta with their right back. Young Will was continually picking passes and making space amongst Stationers defence. After 35mins we finally got the breakthrough we needed after Fraser and Liam had switched wings.

Fraser and Leon outwitted the defence, Leon swung over a cross which Liam dived to head at about six inches of the ground. The arrow like header skimmed towards goal when Jason popped up and diverted the ball home. Within minutes the second came after Ash controlled the ball turned their defender and rifled a shot from 25 yards which went like a bullet into the bottom corner. Five to go and we were well in control. Leon who was now almost playing right wing picked up another ball, weaved past two or three defenders to the byline and pulled back a low cross which Ash met and fired into the far corner. 3-0 at the half and the game was effectively won, but we needed to get Ash more goals.

The Skips and Morruzi came on for Leon and Liam. We needed to pass the ball more and also shoot at every chance as the surface made every shot a possible goal. We started well and had some good ball, and within five minutes the fourth had been added. Morruzi who had not touched the ball received a pass to his chest just in the oppos half, he then took a couple more touches and fired a shot from 30 yards that went over the keeper and into the top corner. An absolute cracker in a season which has seen many great goals. With the weather worsening and the temperature dropping there were concerns that Michael in goal might freeze to death. Stationers continued to give their all and should have got one back from a breakaway but their striker could not quite connect with the cross. Ash nearly got the hat trick when he cut in from the left and fired a drive against the upright. The goal soon turned up after Young Will slipped into the area and drew the push from the defender which won the penalty. Ash stepped up and scored. We continued to dominate play with Fraser shooting from every angle. When Morruzi was urged to back up Fraser the answer was “What’s the point he won’t pass” and to be fair he had a point. With everyone wanting a bit of glory “Gloves” moved into midfield and Will went up front, this meant our centrehalves were Jed and Kurt. I know it’s a scary thought. We saw the game out and finished the season on a high. We enjoyed some Champagne on the side that Will’s dad very kindly brought along and celebrated a great season.

Firstly I must thank Stationers for their efforts on Saturday. They showed real spirit despite the circumstances. Our performance and attitude were excellent. Our desire to get Ash the golden boot showed the spirit within the team and hopefully this can be carried through to greater challenges next season.

Michael in goal has been great all season with many crucial saves and clearances. The defence has been excellent all season as the goals against column shows. This is down to a mixture of Tom, Leon, Ziggy, Fevzi, Morruzi and the rocks at the back Will and “Gloves” Jonsey. Each of them has been committed in every game.

Once again the midfield has seen many personnel in Adam, Max, Jason, Shane, Harry, Liam, Young Will, Ash and of course the heartbeat of the team Jed. But each one has bought into the style, spirit and sheer enjoyment of playing in this team. Up front Malachi was capable of destroying defences practically single handed, as was Ash when he went up front. Fraser has been a revelation in the hole with some sublime passing, crossing and great goals.

Finally the skipper………where do I begin? His desire and passion for this team is immense, he practically lives and breathes it. Anyone who has received one of his epic call to arms texts at some ungodly hour will realise what it means to him. Before this season he worked full time but he has now been made part time because he spends so much of the week making sure that his troops are rested and in the right frame of mind for Saturdays at 3pm. On the pitch he just as thoughtful as he regularly shows an Adebayor like passion for demonstrating how the offside rule works! He has scored plenty of goals and even thinks he knows a bit about defending…..yeah sure. And he saves penalties. To this man we owe our success and I salute him, but we need to buy him a new watch for next season.

Lastly a personal thank you to the team for all your efforts this season, it has been a real pleasure to be involved with such a great bunch of people. I like to think it has been more than just playing football, as the banter and jokes both pre and post match would be worth the membership fee alone. The spirit and camaraderie all season has been exceptional even when down to 10men and 3-0 down. The team, like AP itself is more like an institution, and if you have met many of our players you would probably realise that an institution is where they belong! I hope the match reports have borne some resemblance to the games we have played, and if not you can take it up with my publishers.

Thanks again it has been a privilege.

I believe it started out at Haringey Borough in July. It was a balmy evening under the floodlights, we had a 22 man squad and I remember sulking a little having had to start on the bench. Needless to say, a vast amount had happened between this point and last Saturday. I have started considering the line ‘girls, girls, girls’ as a reasonable way to approach women, the insult ‘chief’ has entered my vocabulary for the first time since I was 13 and I had completed 6, maybe 7 passes.

As a first team, we had grown into a unit that first won promotion, then been crowned champions and were but 90 minutes away from an unbeaten season. Standing in our way of an invincible season were HSBC, already comfortably confirmed as runners up. With the oppo looking to take that 0, it was going to be one of our hardest fixtures of a long campaign.

We headed down to Beckenham with the usual logistical problems. I would like to suggest that on future newsletters we include meet times in both GMT and CMT (Carlin Meridian Time). I can’t blame the man, over the course of the season I can only conclude that he actually operates in his own timezone which is GMT + 00:15. As Lee would say, ‘it’s just one those one’s’.

It was hammering down and the pitch wasn’t in its usual perfect condition (still decent). A rumour went round that we might have access to sauna and despite the somewhat suspicious excitement, this was revealed as utter arse. The team talk was about attention to detail and trying to catch them a little cold.

We had a great start, the tempo was high, we looked sharp on the break. We had three good chances, Jay Hughes had a couple scrambled away before Carlin hit the bar on the turn. Despite this, we went behind to a sloppy goal, an unchallenged header from an inswinging corner. We got our heads up, got on with it and levelled within 5. Egan and John always insist we don’t score enough from set pieces but I am sure they go in every other game. Kieran whipped one in, Jay turned it goalwards and whilst his effort hit the post, Jonny Nino Beige Monero ensured it was curtains by slotting home.

We could have gone in ahead, Chris Nicholau almost forcing Matt Kelly (@mattshilokelly, plz follow lolz xxxx) to hand in his goal of the season award with an insane 50 yard full volley that went inches wide.

The gaffer ordered more of the same with a little added composure for the second half. To be fair to John’s team talks have been pretty much spot on throughout. From the b*llocking at Bank, to the order to ‘get in their arses’ before Ibis, it has usually been on the mark.

On that note, the early second half exchanges were give and take. HSBC were direct at every opportunity, yet when our tactics matched theirs, the usual ‘they’ve only got one ball’ shout went up. I do find it funny how many teams have dismissed us as crap during the game yet none have actually been able to beat us. To be fair, the usual perpetrators are the overweight, ineffectual players who don’t affect the game in any other way. Oo-err.

Last 20 it all went a bit backs to the wall. HSBC seemed fitter than us and were putting in great quality from wide areas. We dug in, headed, kicked, blocked. A twice deflected free kick looked like it might creep in off the slick turf but Stimpy smothered and the seconds ticked away.

After what seemed like an age, the referee called time to confirm the invincible season. I was expecting a pitch invasion but Micky thought better of it (thanks to those who came down!)

The game was a snapshot of the nineteen which we had played beforehand. Moments of real quality and an underlying grit when the chips were down. We worked out in the bar that we have actually been behind in 5 games this season, testament to the character (and indeed the level of chat) in the team.

This season has been an absolute pleasure and an unbeaten record is a significant, if not historic achievement. For now, we can enjoy being invincible and rightly have a bit of pride in what we have done. I would however hope that this is just the start for this team. Moaty aside, we have a young squad with a desire to progress even further. I don’t want to go into Div 2 to just survive and with increased fitness and a few new faces, I don’t think that should be our aim.

For now, congratulations all. APFC. Senior Div 3 Champions. Unbeaten.

Three massive games this week for AP. The 6′s and 8′s both play in their respective Spring Cup Finals. The 6′s travel south of the river to play Old Alleyns while the 8′s host HSBC at New River. The AP Golden Boot is also up for grabs as Matt Kelly travels with 1′s to HSBC where they will hope to finish the season unbeaten. The 3′s, and Golden Boot contender Ashley Brade, welcome Old Stationers to the Racecourse in their last fixture of the season. The Reserves meanwhile travel to promotion chasing West Wickham.

If you don’t have a game yourself, why not go along and cheer on one of the AP teams?

Club Dinner – 11th May

To book your place for the dinner please contact Richard Gibbs

AP Spring Golf Day

Monday 28th May at Enfield Golf Course. If you wish to participate whilst laughing at others golf finesse and outfits, then let Doug Rice know ASAP: douglasrice@yahoo.com

Fixtures for Saturday 28th April

1′s: Away vs HSBC – Meet TBC – 2pm kick off

2′s: Away vs West Wickham – Meet TBC – 3pm kick off

3′s: Home vs Old Stationers – Meet 1.30pm @ Racecourse – 3pm kick off

6′s: Off due to waterlogged pitch

8′s: Home vs HSBC – Meet 1.30pm @ New River – 3pm kick off