Horsforth Fairweather FC
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HFFC 1992-93: A Whole New Ball Game. |
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Previous... the
1991-92 season.
Next ... the
1993-94 season.
Back: Nick Brophy, Scott Wilkinson, John Steenson, Minny, Dave Vernon, Bernie Gilmore, Sean Taylor, Phil Troughton, Kelvin Tapley. Front: Jason Green, Tim Vickerman, Martin Woods, Craig Carter, Lee Monaghan. In August 1992, Horsforth Fairweather's star shone even brighter, when the club entered the LDRA Champions Trophy, a prestigious six-a-side tournament at Elland Road for all clubs who have won honours during the previous season. A team consisting of Bernie Gilmore, Craig Oddy, John Steenson, Sean Taylor, Lee Monaghan and Kelvin Tapley saw off the Ringway, Rothwell Athletic and Cross Green Dodgers, some of the biggest names in Sunday football, to reach the Final, and only lost that to Jubilee Premier Division winners Oldfield Hotel on a penalty shoot-out. In the league, two divisions higher than hitherto, the side had to come to terms with losing many of the previous season's heroes, largely through retirement. After long and distinguished careers, Tim Hirst, Simon Hockney and Marten Gadd would not play for the club again; nor would any of the preceding campaign's main three strikers, Mark Bramfitt, Tony Reilly and Bob Matthew; and Tim Vickerman and Phil Troughton would this year sadly fade away from contention due to injuries. To describe these departures as leaving something of a hole would be a huge understatement. There were, however, some more great new arrivals. Up front, Andrew Minnock and Howard Spence ("Minny" and "Toastie" respectively to their friends) took up the mantle; Craig Carter came in to the left of the midfield; and Scott Wilkinson held down the right-back spot. With Bernie Gilmore in goals, Scott, Kelvin Tapley, Sean Taylor and Simon Cockill in defence, Martin Woods, Lee Monaghan, John Steenson and Craig C in midfield, and Craig Oddy more or less everywhere, the side gradually learnt to cope with the demands of a division that was two rungs up the ladder from what we'd known before. New faces were added to the squad as the season progressed, among them defender Andy Constable, midfielders Bob Croft and Nick Brophy, and striker Richard Kelly, while Tim Vickerman's stepson Jason Green, who had trained with the club since his early teens, had begun the season promisingly in midfield but dropped out of contention. In the end, we weren't that far from getting promoted again. The highlight was undoubtedly the 7-0 win over the previously unbeaten AFC Rock at Roundhay in February.
Back: Dave Vernon, Kelvin Tapley, Bob Croft, Simon Cockill, Sean Taylor, Minny, Tim Hirst, Lee Monaghan, Phil Troughton, no idea (sorry) and Mark Bramfitt.
Front: John Steenson, Scott Wilkinson, Toast, Craig Carter, Bernie Gilmore, Craig Oddy, Pete Reilly.
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Awards.Player of the Year - Lee Monaghan. Goal of the Season - Minny (v. AFC Rock at home). Most Improved Player - Scott Wilkinson. Top Goal Scorer - Minny (36). Club Colours.First choice - Green and black striped shirts, black shorts and socks
Dark green shirts, black shorts and socks
Change - Orange shirts, navy shorts, orange socks. Back to top of page.
Previous... the
1991-92 season.
Next ... the
1993-94 season.
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In another memorable episode in the club's history,
we entered the Easter League, a midweek end-of-season competition on the astroturf at Weetwood.
Reinforced by Pete Reilly, the team advanced gloriously to win our group from
British Gas, KC Sports and (most creditably) Yorkshire Rider,
and in a tense final play-off defeated the Queens Arms 2-1
to clinch our second trophy in two years.
The team on this great night was Bernie (captain in the absence of Woody);
Scott, Sean, Kelvin and Simon; John, Pete, Lee Mon and Craig Carter;
Minny and Toastie; Craig Oddy and Bob Croft were subs;
and credit should also be given to squad members Woody, Andy Constable,
Gary Watson and Chris Fitzgerald. The dark green shirts
(it says "Prairie Green" in the Umbro catalogue) made their first appearance
in this tournament, and were to be the club's first choice for the next two years,
with yellow as the change strip.
