Posted by Rijs on May 3, 2008, 10:10 pm, in reply to "Well done everybody!"
Good post, Exile. You reminded me of that dramatic, tense, and depressing end-of-season day just three years ago when (so soon after losing Robin so tragically) we were relegated from the Southern League, which the doubters had said we'd find tougher than the Ryman. How quickly our fotunes have been turned around (and thosae of others--I remember Thame winning at CPF that year, which helped send us down).
Looking back, there hadn't been a good feeling at the club in Paul Lee's later years. Andy Sinnott began to change the atmosphere, but couldn't stop the drop. Andy Lyne got us believing and winning again, but people said it was easy to win the Spartan, we'd find it very different back in the Southern. Andy got us off to a good start, but suddenly left and we wobbled. Justin was new to management--but hasn't he done well? He pulled us back on track last year, built a new team in the summer and with Mike Ford's help has seen us through to this great achievement. He has remained calm, good-humoured and sensible in the face of some unjustified criticism at times, and I wish him a good celebration now for he deserves as much credit as anyone else, if not more.
But you're right about the whole co-operative team effort and good feeling from juniors to ladies and vets, from behind-the-scenes to the pitch. It's been a pleasure to watch City for three years now, and especially this year, so thanks to everyone: have a great summer!
--Previous Message--
: What a week! a fantastic achievement,
: particularly after the depressing finish to
: our first season in the Southern League
: three years ago.
: The team have been outstanding, but I think
: all the fans would want to pay tribute to
: the massive efforts put in at all levels in
: the club: management, Committee, volunteers
: (three cheers for the Hooped Hut and the
: burger bar!)and all the other players in our
: 21 other teams. You've all done us proud
: this season, and made it possible to push
: forward up the divisions!
: Someone said on this message board a year or
: so ago that it was a pity the first team did
: not adequately reflect the club's new
: standing: well, I think they can now say
: that we have a first team who are really
: going places. Oxford City has a great
: tradition of success and also the
: 'bouncebackability' factor to ride out blips
: like 1988 and 2005.
: Congratulations all round! We can get out
: the roadmaps to see how to get to
: Stourbridge, Rugby, etc. Oh, and there's
: Banbury and Brackley for next season's
: derbies .
:
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