2016/17 for OTFC 2s will be remembered as the season that should have been… things started so well, a renewed sponsorship with partners Joy Indian Cuisine bought us a new kit, a number of new signings brought us new blood, OTFC2s looked to repeat their promotion winning campaign of the season prior. We have played beautiful flowing football at times alas, at other times we have played well beneath our high standards. Our “core” has been injured/away/unavailable a few games too often this season and it has shown.

Starting incredibly strongly, with 4 wins a draw and a rather uncharacteristic loss, we were 2nd in the table and thinking back to back promotions would be possible… then came the new Orange Away kit… 4 games in a row we wore our new kit… 3 losses and a lucky draw later and suddenly relegation battle was looking more likely.

Despite a very strong start and something resembling a strong end, this period in the middle of the season where we went without a win for just too long really hurt us. We finished the season 6th in the table, but it could have been much more. Aside from one uncharacteristic heavy loss on a 3G pitch, we have battled with everyone, we are one of only two teams to have taken points off the league leaders and aside from a very dubious penalty decision in the dying moments against second place team, we would have been the only team to gain a win against them.

We remain an incredibly strong unit with a genuine togetherness and desire to do better. Having for so many years been a “bottom of the league” kinda team we are enjoying fighting for wins, promotions and goals. Apart from anything else… a post-match pint is far more fun having won.

Looking forward, we remain in a strong position. We have proven that we can battle with teams in far higher leagues and potentially with our core re-settled into playing the crucial 15 games we need from each, we deserve to be higher…

Bring on 2017/18!

As with any great season – below are this year’s registered player’s ratings:

Name - Dicky
Games - 21
Goals - 0
Assists - 1
MOTM - 0
Fines - 129
Rating - 9
A season of many hats for the IIs leader. RB, CB, right of a back 3, middle of a back 3. The one constant in an ever changing back 4, often resembling the bedraggled captain desperately clinging to the wheel as the titanic goes down. Uncompromising commitment to the IIs (and the fines committee) never in doubt.
Name - Will
Games - 14
Goals - 0
Assists - 2
MOTM - 0
Fines - 77
Rating - 9
Vice Captain Forsyth remains in his role at the front of midfield, passing and providing for the strikers. Linking the team in its attacking formations. Leading by example, Will's quick feet and incisive passing giving time to players around him.
Name - Luke
Games - 22
Goals - 2
Assists - 1
MOTM - 1
Fines - 109
Rating - 9
The ever present, ever reliable Luke Peake bringing his defensive midfield play to new heights this season. Most games played by any player in 2016/17. Unorthodox, aggressive, argumentative - all part of the Peake package. One of the stand out players for the 2s this year.
Name - Tommo
Games - 20
Goals - 7
Assists - 8
MOTM - 0
Fines - 90
Rating - 9
Tom, Tommo, Tomasson… Paul played more games this season than any before… combined figures of 15 goals and assists tells a story as our ever present striker continues to defy injury, offside and age. Powerful and determined. Tommo remains Prada's most important customer rivalled only by the entire Kardashian clan.
Name - Tom
Games - 20
Goals - 4
Assists - 1
MOTM - 0
Fines - 128
Rating - 9
OTFC's #1 Keeper! "I like to play as a sweeper-keeper". Our winger has had another incredible season, once again topping the fines table. Scoring 4 goals from open play, Tom has added goals to his game. Boundless energy, enthusiasm and willingness to put his foot in it..
Name - Colin
Games - 19
Goals - 4
Assists - 16
MOTM - 0
Fines - 100
Rating - 9
Last seasons player of the year, continued where he left off… Assisting goal after goal from his favoured left wing. Scored a few too. Colin won player of the season last season without winning MOTM once. Colin remains unsung hero again this season, "we just expect him to play that well every week".
Name - Ben
Games - 19
Goals - 1
Assists - 2
MOTM - 5
Fines - 60
Rating - 9
A new recruit stolen from the 4s… "where do you play Ben?"… "Centre-mid"… Ben has coined the left fullback position this year, right footed cutting into play, more MOTM awards and nominations than any other player this season. Incredible energy and ability. Small and wiry, don't be deceived, a born tackler and playmaker.
Name - Joe
Games - 16
Goals - 6
Assists - 4
MOTM - 0
Fines - 113
Rating - 9
Arriving for a game Joe never really knows where he will be playing… Right wing, full back, striker. I am sure we would have seen more goals and assists from Joe had he not completed a stint at FB. That said the platform at FB gave our team another attacking dimension. Deceptively quick, possibly our strongest player on the ball, incisive passing and goals.
Name - John
Games - 13
Goals - 12
Assists - 4
MOTM - 2
Fines - 62
Rating - 9
Big John came back this season with far less holidays booked and haven't we all benefitted… Golden Boot winner! Hardest working striker around, willing, tenacious. Perfect hatrick tops off a great season for our sun shy number 10.
Name - Le Tom
Games - 13
Goals - 1
Assists - 0
MOTM - 2
Fines - 85
Rating - 9
Le Tom or Le Moustache made a composed and calm debut early doors this season, in that vein he was a consistent presence in our back line. A CB that wants to play football, wants the ball, great feet, even better presence. Not much phases Le Tom… apart from a bad refereeing decision… "You can't fine me I don't have a handbag!"
Name - Dave
Games - 10
Goals - 8
Assists - 4
MOTM - 0
Fines - 91
Rating - 9
Golden boot last season has kept the goals coming this year, had it not been for a lenghty injury lay off, might Dave be picking up the award again? We will never know. A bloody minded striker, intent on creating goals and chances, constant threat on the oppo's goal, winds up defenders with his runs in and around the penalty area.
Name - Der Beni
Games - 10
Goals - 2
Assists - 3
MOTM - 1
Fines - 58
Rating - 9
Der Benedikt surprisingly not a good traveller for a foreigner, but a consistent home presence. Famously awarded MOTM after a half time can of Fosters spurred him on to score two goals and assist another… Great feet, calm, strong. The quiet man with a (natural) efficiency... surprising good sense of humour. We will miss you Bene!
Name - Charlie
Games - 9
Goals - 1
Assists - 1
MOTM - 0
Fines - 48
Rating - 9
We have missed your goals Charlie… less available this year due to increased family numbers. Charlie wins more headers than anyone else. Bullies the oppo prowls the midfield from his deep position but comfortable to add to the attack as well. OTFC 2s are looking for higher match subs for next season for investment in a new crèche
Name - Alex
Games - 9
Goals - 1
Assists - 2
MOTM - 2
Fines - 50
Rating - 9
As long as the troublesome hamstring holds up, Alex remains one of our best tacklers, able to cover large areas, has goals in his locker. When he plays, he becomes the solid core of the team, unfortunately, so often his Achilles heel… the hamstring often keeps Alex away from the pitch for long periods.
Name - Kimber
Games - 8
Goals - 1
Assists - 0
MOTM - 1
Fines - 98
Rating - 9
Made the more permanent move from midfield to defence, the team has fed from his composure at the back, a great passer of the ball, positionally always strong, a talker. Where James hasn't been available we have missed him terribly… injury hit this year something OTFC 2s must protect him from in seasons to come as we strive for greater things.
Name - Cottee
Games - 7
Goals - 0
Assists - 0
MOTM - 0
Fines - 45
Rating - 9
Cottee's no nonsense take on football… TALK LADS, HASSTLE!... Has been missed this season whilst Cottee returns from injury/holiday/self-imposed isolation (delete as applicable).
Name - Andy
Games - 7
Goals - 0
Assists - 0
MOTM - 0
Fines - 45
Rating - 9
Another one of the core team unable to play the number of games they have managed in years gone by. Andy's consistently high standards and rugged tackling ability ever present in seasons gone by has only been utilised on a few occasions this season. Come back Andy... we miss you!
Name - Kuldeep
Games - 7
Goals - 0
Assists - 2
MOTM - 0
Fines - 42
Rating - 9
The Snake, made his move to the 1s after numerous transfer requests were initially refused. Eventually went on strike forcing a move. We understand The Snake has continued his form in the other team…
Name - Dan
Games - 7
Goals - 0
Assists - 0
MOTM - 0
Fines - 45
Rating - 9
Veteran keeper brought in to the 2s this season having played Vets for a number of years, would have played more games had it not have been for "the incident". Barking orders from the back, a confident forward thinking keeper.
Name - Mitch
Games - 6
Goals - 0
Assists - 0
MOTM - 0
Fines - 53
Rating - 9
Less games this season than normal… his no-nonsense football has been missed whilst he has been away. Strong in defence, happy on the break, effective going forward.
Name - Hobbs
Games - 1
Goals - 0
Assists - 0
MOTM - 0
Fines - 24
Rating - 9
Hobbs… oh where have you been - initially the pain in his leg was deemed to be shin splints… a potential career threatening illness, later diagnosed as a leg fracture. Phew, just a season out then - right Hobbs?