Bangkok Masters Football 2011 by The British Chamber of Commerce Thailand

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June 2011

Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Acknowledgements...................................................................... 4

BCCT would like to thank the following:

Welcome Message ........................................................................ 6

MAIN TOURNAMENT SPONSOR

Barclays Premier League (Bpl) Review 2010-2011............. 8 2011 Tournament Highlights............................................ 10-11 Thai Premier League....................................................................12 Jotun Thailand Football Dinner 2010....................................14 A Crisis In Football Wanted Desperately - Leadership At The Top!.............................................................16 2011 Tournament Highlights............................................ 18-19

ALL STAR TEAM SPONSOR

All Stars..................................................................................... 20-28 2010 Tournament Networking Evening...............................29 Every Hand’s A Winner......................................................... 30-31 Paul Share – Rest In Peace.........................................................32 2011 Tournament Highlights...................................................34 The Perfect Player.................................................................. 36-37

FOOTBALL DINNER SPONSOR

Refs Are All Part of the Entertainment .......................... 38-39 Team Profiles........................................................................... 40-41

NETWORKING EVENING SPONSOR

HEALTHCARE SERVICES SPONSOR

WATER AND BEER SPONSOR

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June 2011

WELCOME MESSAGE

n behalf of the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand (BCCT), I am delighted to welcome all players, spectators and sponsors to the Annual Bangkok Masters Football Tournament, organized by BCCT since 2004 and now in its sixth year of sponsorship by Tesco Lotus. The Bangkok Masters brings together ‘mature’ footballers of many nationalities from all over the world with legends such as Ian Rush and John Barnes. It is an excellent event for showing young footballers that the game can be played competitively in a spirit of sportsmanship and fair play. Furthermore, through the charity auction at the tournament dinner BCCT donates to children’s and education charities in Thailand. BCCT is indebted to: •

Tesco Lotus for sponsoring the tournament and Ian Rush, John Barnes, Paul Parker and Lee Sharpe’s participation

•

Robert Walters Recruitment (Thailand) for sponsoring the All Stars team

•

Jotun Thailand for sponsoring the Football Dinner

•

The Landmark Bangkok for hosting and sponsoring the tournament networking evening

•

Thai Beverage for sponsoring drinking water and beer

•

Chaophya Hospital for sponsoring and providing medical facilities at the tournament

BCCT would also like to thank Daniel Poole for his tireless efforts in putting together a very competitive All Star team which is led by ESPN Star Sports’ Paul Masefield and includes Liverpool legends Ian Rush and John Barnes, Manchester United and England legends Paul Parker and Lee Sharpe, Chelsea legend Clive Walker, Peter Butler (ex-West Ham) and Darrell Duffy (ex-Aston Villa). We have nearly 40 participating teams from all over the world including UK, Australia, Canada, Japan, China, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Brunei plus teams from the Thai, British, German, Irish, French and Scandinavian communities in Thailand. I hope that you enjoy the 2011 Bangkok Masters and that you bid generously at the charity auction. I wish the tournament continued success. Graham MacDonald Chairman British Chamber of Commerce Thailand (BCCT)

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June 2011

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE (BPL) REVIEW 2010-2011 By Paul Masefield

here was somewhat of an anticlimax at the top of this year’s BPL season.

With Arsenal spluttering to the finishline and Chelsea having a massive blip half-way through the season, the title was handed to Manchester United on a plate. Take nothing away from the Red Devils as Sir Alex Ferguson has stuck to his word and some 25 years after he said that he would knock Liverpool ‘Off Their Perch’, he finally realised his dream. I have to be honest, it is not the best Manchester United team that I have seen win the BPL, yet I do believe that it has shown that the balance between man-management, mind-games and a reasonable squad has once again proven that Sir Alex is the master of all. Some have said that the BPL has lost its quality? I disagree. I believe that the smaller clubs have caught up a bit of ground on the bigger clubs and the emergence of a new super power (Manchester City) will endear us for a great season next year. There is now no longer a ‘Big 4’ but in my eyes a ‘Big 6’ who will be battling for honours next year.

I believe that Spurs are now in that group of the usual suspects together with Manchester City as they have again proved that over a season they can compete with the big boys. An unbelievable run in the Champions League and a result at Liverpool which no-one saw coming has once again put them into a European competition. As I always say every year, what the hell is happening at Arsenal. Arsene Wenger finishing 4th means it has allowed Manchester City to qualify automatically for the UCL. The Arsenal fans always say ‘Arsene Knows’, well let me tell you, ‘Arsene knows jack #*@%’. Hello - keeper, striker, defenders and a leader. Everyone except Arsene ‘KNOWS’ so it will be interesting to see what they do in the summer. Chelsea have sacked Carlo Ancelotti. Like Arsenal this year, this is a joke as well !!! The double in his first season and nothing this year is why Mr Abramovich sees the lack of success and obviously doesn’t want any sort of continuity at the Bridge. Where would Manchester United be now if they had sacked Sir Alex if they hadn’t beaten Nottingham Forest in the 3rd round of the FA cup all those years ago!!!!!!! As for the bottom, what an exciting last

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June 2011

day. Blackpool actually went up to 16th at one stage during the final games (live tables) but they couldn’t finish the job against United so its yoyo time for Ian Holloway as their foray into the BPL ends in relegation. I won’t miss them! Yes they played expansive football but the comments of Holloway have driven me mad this year and I’m glad he’s gone. Lastly spare a thought for the West Ham United owners. How many Chairmen have taken two teams down? We know Managers do it (Avaram Grant for one). First they messed it all up at Birmingham City (who have gone as well) then they decided that they would take over West Ham and change the football club into a circus!!! It will be interesting to see if the board can turn it around in the Championship or if they will just ruin yet another prestigious football club. One thing is for sure, next season promises so much, let’s just hope it can deliver another exciting edition of Barclays Premier League Football!!!!!!

2011 TOURNAMENT HIGHLIGHTS

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June 2011

2011 TOURNAMENT HIGHLIGHTS

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June 2011

THAI PREMIER LEAGUE By Steve Darby

f you had asked five years ago what was the best League in South East Asia, you may well have said the efficient S League in Singapore, The huge crowds of the Indonesian League or even the massive rivalries of the M league in Malaysia such as Selangor v Perak. There is no doubt that Thailand would not have been mentioned, despite the Asian success of teams such as Thai Farmers Bank and BEC Tero. In fact BEC Tero was controversially robbed of the Asian Champions League in 2003 by a terrible refereeing decision and could well have been the first ASEAN team to achieve an Asian honour. The nearest team to do this since was Home United of Singapore in 2004 reaching the semi-final of the AFC Cup. So why now the Thailand Premier League (TPL) is the first name mentioned for the best League in South East Asia? Possibly it’s the Golden Rule of Football - “He who has the gold rules” - in that there has been a massive financial influx into the league from private enterprise and the major influence that this has had is that Thai players who were playing abroad have returned home. Furthermore, now Thai origin players are returning to Thailand rather than, for example, Peter Lang who plays in the Swiss first division. In 2008 there were nine of the national team members playing abroad when Peter Reid was National Coach and now in 2011 Bryan Robson has to only deal with one player abroad, Surat Sukha who is with Melbourne Victory in the Australian A League. In simple terms this means local players can now demand and receive salaries that are equal or are better than those paid abroad. It is however, hard to pin down the success of the major teams to one reason. Muangthong United is backed by the SiamSport Group and they are superbly marketed with a large fan base and a booming replica shirt and souvenir busi-

ness. Bangkok Glass is backed by the Singha beer conglomerate and have a purposebuilt state of the art football stadium with artificial grass. Chonburi are the tip of a large provincial development structure and have in place a system that will keep on producing great players. They have implemented the AFC Vision Asia Program and are reaping the benefits. Whilst Buriram PEA are unique in that a successful team, Provincial Electric Authority (PEA) of Bangkok, was bought and moved entirely to the province of Buriram, where under the patronage of the their President Newin Chidchob they play to a packed 20,000 crowd every week and next year will move into a new 30,000 seat football-specific stadium. Also they are developing Youth Academy Facilities and have developed strong links with Leicester City. A new and exciting feature of the League is that it is no longer Bangkok-based. Teams from provincial centres such as Si Saket, Phitchit, Khon Kaen and Chiang Rai are now in the TPL due to progress through the league pyramid structure. Teams such as Phuket and Chang Mai are currently in Division 1 but would be a great asset to the league due to their population bases.

The TPL Teams • Muangthong United • Buriram PEA • Chonburi • Bangkok Glass • Sriracha

The Institutions (Police, Army and Navy) still have teams in the League, but are now run as corporate bodies under the rules of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). In particular the police is making great strides off the pitch with their modern, youthful administration of well-educated administrators.

• TOT

So if you are a farang in Thailand and are missing your live football fix, try a TPL game as many farangs in fact do now. You will be surprised by the quality of football and the enjoyable atmosphere. You can also have a beer at a sensible price at a TPL game! So give it a try and enjoy the experience.

• Khon Kean

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June 2011

• Chiang Rai United • Thai Port • Sisaket • Osotspa M150 • BEC Tero • Insee Police • Pattaya United • Siam Navy • TTM Phichit • Samut Songkram • Army United

Jotun Thailand Football Dinner 2010

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June 2011

A CRISIS IN FOOTBALL WANTED DESPERATELY - Leadership at the Top! By Ray Bigger

oes anyone doubt there is a crisis in the corridors of power of Football? By that I mean starting at FIFA down through UEFA, The Premier League and so on. If it wasn’t so serious it would be funny. Think about it. If FIFA was a company in which you had shares you would at the AGM demanding that heads role for incompetence and/or you want your money back. If you were an employee at a company that displayed the ethics, morals and values FIFA has over the past years, you might be embarrassed to say you worked for a company like that. Compared with FIFA, being a banker has regained some vestige of respectability. Was Football ever the beautiful game that some still try to convince us it still is? Yes I think it was, but not now. So what has gone wrong? Leadership has clearly abdicated its responsibility. The Chinese have a saying that ‘The fish stinks from the head down” and the smell from FIFA HQ is over whelming. For the 2010 World Cup when it looked like some top European Teams might not make it FIFA introduced seedings so the top teams didn’t play each other in the final qualifying rounds. Blatter belatedly admitted after the final 32 were decided for 2010 that the seedings had been a mistake well what a surprise. The latest comedy hour was of course the fiasco for deciding which countries would host the 2018 and 2022 World Cup which involved alleged broken promises along with two FIFA executive members suspended and more alleged dirty deeds surfacing. Then there is the technology debate. Sepp Blatter is rather like Lord Nelson on the bridge of ‘Trafalgar’ putting a metaphorical telescope to his eye and sees no problem. At least Nelson had

a valiant cause for saying what he did. Blatter’s explanations for resisting what is blindingly obvious, no pun intended, is breathtaking in its stupidity. As a former Premier/Football League Referee, I’ll say from the outset I am in favour of, first, goal line technology and second a resource that the referee can consult i.e. instant playbacks pitch side or a referee in the TV room if he so chooses. It’s needed because some players cheat and too many get away with it, plain and simple. Whenever there is a clear case of cheating do you ever hear a Club Chairman taking the lead and stepping in. I cannot recall of late, i.e. the last ten years where this has happened. It’s needed because FIFA and UEFA are in a complete muddle when to retrospectively look at video evidence. Sometimes they do sometimes they don’t. If Referees are accused of being inconsistent then here is an example of footballs top brass in a complete mess. If you, like me, are confused join the club. Beyond the two mentioned uses of video, that is where I would leave – why. Club Officials have demonstrated they do not have the maturity to make a system, like they have in tennis where a player is allowed three challenges per set. Work effectively. It’s not as if there are no precedents out there that have adopted technology. Cricket, Rugby and Tennis to mention three. By including technology as part of the official’s armoury it gives what all true sportsmen ask for – the right decision. Technology removes the excuse of ‘we were robbed’ Over at UEFA, the all in cost of a family of four travelling from Manchester to see United v Barcelona at Wembley will cost, reportedly, GBP1,500. How many true supporters can afford that? If football is

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June 2011

the beautiful game then the ugly sisters got hold of the pricing model. It shows a cynical disregard for grass rot supporters. Maybe Roy Keane was right when he said some years ago that the hospitality boxes only housed the ‘prawn cocktail’ brigade. A bit ironic given those people contributed to his and his colleague’s astronomic wages. At the English FA a similar yawning gap in professional management exists and has so for years. I think they are on their 5th CEO in 9 years or thereabouts – what does that tell you? It was reported that the last CEO to leave Ian Watmore, apparently well respected, competent and liked, left totally frustrated with the FA’s Board intransigence to change!. There are numerous other examples of poor management that would probably make a best seller. Then there was the ‘Respect’ campaign which might have had a chance of gaining traction, if the FA were respected themselves and supported Referees with some affirmative action against miscreant players, managers and club officials. The FA is a good example of N.A.T.O – No Action Talk Only!! At Premier League level there are many managers. Maybe some great ones. However there is not a Leader amongst them. The evidence is there for all to see week after week. Managers miss numerous opportunities to demonstrate their leadership skills for the good of the game, but what do we get/see or hear? A litany of excuses, blame apportioned to anyone but themselves, usually attacking the referees, criticising fellow managers, they miss serious infringements by their own players but spot similar infractions against their players from 80 metres. I asked Phil Brown the former Hull

manager and his then Chairman Paul Duffin a few years back to think before they berated Referees on TV and in the Media – why? Because the top flight Referees are not affected by the tirades because they offer nothing constructive and with little thought for the well being of the game. However the impact is felt way down the ladder at local park level football. Young impressionable 15 -20 year olds seeing their supposed role models impart some incoherent, ill informed views about refereeing, and the laws they know nothing about, think that is a licence to berate or abuse the local referee. The outcome; local referees pack it in, because they have better things to do with their time and local matches throughout the world are desperately short of referees. Today, Football for the last ten years or so has grown exponentially in financial stature to become a global business with billions of dollars invested and we have seen the increasing number of outside investors who see an opportunity to make a buck. For some supporters like it or not they are a secondary consideration for some of these investors. At the very least the game deserves, indeed it is crying out for professional top talent to

run this global business, instead of what we have now. However are we seeing the early signs of disillusioned supporters with football? The rewards in my opinion are out of line with the product offered. There are some very fortunate players earning salaries way above their ability. If top surgeons performed at a comparable level as some top footballers there would be bodies all over the operating theatre! I see real supporter’s interests being ignored with the dash for the corporate money chest never more evident than in the corridors of power. Has UEFA signaled time for change with the financial limits to gain access to The Champions League in 2013? Will it be reinforced or will some fancy accounting footwork evade the new rules – only time will tell That football is big business I have no quarrel with. What I take issue with is not that football sets high targets on competency, morals, ethics and values and misses them but it sets very low targets on those KPI’s and achieves them. Until supporters take affirmative action there will be no incentive for the leadership level to rise above the level of mediocrity that exists now.

Of all the various stakeholders in the game I sincerely believe that Referees are the only stakeholders who can hold their heads up high with their integrity intact. Yes we make mistakes and held accountable by not getting an appointment the next week. Authority, Responsibility and Accountability go hand in hand. Only when FIFA, UEFA and Premier League clubs, officials and players are help to all three will be able to call it once again ‘the beautiful game’ with great leadership. Ray Bigger is a former Premier League/ Football League Referee who now runs his own company ‘Think8’ to help companies with business solutions to business problems across sales , revenue, key critical meetings , Executive Team and People Development.

2011 TOURNAMENT HIGHLIGHTS

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June 2011

2011 TOURNAMENT HIGHLIGHTS

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June 2011

IAN RUSH MBE

ithout doubt Ian Rush is one of the greatest players to play the game. Standing supreme as Liverpool’s greatest goalscorer he was one of the deadliest strikers in football history, blending superb anticipation with lethal finishing. His attack partnership with Kenny Dalglish is widely rated the best ever in British football.

Olympic he retired at 38 in 2000. Ian made his debut for Wales on 21st May 1980 versus Scotland. He captained Wales on numerous occasions and scored a record 28 goals in 73 games.

In summary, during his two-part Anfield career, Ian scored 346 goals in 660 senior outings. His haul of 44 FA Cup goals (39 of them for Liverpool) is a 20th century record Ian made his Liverpool debut in a 1-1 draw while his five-goal total in FA Cup Finals with Ipswich Town on 13th December (two in 1986 and 1989 and one in 1992 all 1980. He was voted the most promising on winning Liverpool sides) is an all-time player of the year in 1982/83 and followed best by an individual. He also collected that by being voted the Football Writers’ five Championship medals, one European and Professional Footballer’s Association’s Cup and was awarded the MBE. Ian was player of the year and won Europe’s Golden inducted into the English Football Hall of Boot for scoring 47 goals. Fame in 2006 due to his achievements in the game. Ian can still be seen wearing the Ian joined Juventus before the start of the red of Liverpool as he regularly appears for 1986/87 season and gave his all in a farethe Masters five-a-side team and as one well season on loan back to Liverpool that of Liverpool’s ‘old boys’ on public relations produced 40 goals from only 57 games. tours for the club. “The Ghost” only spent one season with Juventus, but returned a better all-round Ian returned to Liverpool in 2003 as striker’s player. coach. However, in August 2004 he was appointed manager of Football League Ian reproduced his best form again in Two team Chester City but resigned in 1989/90, adding 26 goals to his already April 2005. On 7 September 2007 Ian was impressive tally and his fifth championship appointed Elite Performance Director for title. Manager Graeme Souness made him the Welsh Football Trust, a part-time role in captain in the 1993/94 season. Ian played which he helps develop the next generahis farewell match in the 1996 FA Cup final, tion of players for Wales’ national teams. On but had earlier that season scored his 42nd 26th April 2010 Ian returned to Liverpool goal in the FA Cup, breaking one more becoming the club’s new Soccer Schools record. Ambassador. He also works with the Club’s commercial team to help develop and He joined Leeds United in 1996 and support partnerships with other global became club captain. Unfortunately, he sponsors and brands. Ian released his autoscored just 3 times for Leeds in a strugbiography on 21 August 2008. gling side. He joined Newcastle United in 1997 but lost his place when Alan Shearer returned long-term injury. After spells with Sheffield United, Wrexham and Sydney

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June 2011

JOHN BARNES MBE

ohn Barnes made his debut for Watford, at the age of 17, as a sub on 5th September 1981 in a 1-1 draw with Oldham Athletic. Watford was promoted to Division 1 at the end of that season and went on to finish as runners-up for the League title to Liverpool the following season. Watford made the 1984 FA Cup final but were beaten 2-0 by Everton. England manager Bobby Robson gave John his debut on 28th May 1983 in the 0-0 draw with Northern Ireland. 10th June 1984 will always be a day to remember for John as he scored one of the most breathtaking individual goals ever seen, when he outpaced and out-thought several Brazilian defenders before rounding the goalkeeper and slotting the ball into an empty net during a friendly at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. After 292 games and 83 goals for Watford, John joined Liverpool on 9th June 1987 linking up with John Aldridge and then Ian Rush to form one of the most formidable attacking lines in Liverpool’s history. In his first season John was outstanding as Liverpool coasted to the League title, remaining undeafeated for the first 29 games. He suffered FA Cup disappointment when Wimbledon surprisingly won 1-0. John had performed a memorable rap on the club’s traditional Cup final song ‘Anfield Rap’. A year later Liverpool won the FA Cup with a 3-2 defeat over Everton but lost the title to Arsenal with literally seconds remaining. John played in the 1990 title winning side and scored 22 league goals from the left wing. He then appeared in the World Cup for England but unfortunately sustained a groin injury against Belgium. John had again supplied a rap for a tie-in song, “World In Motion” by New Order, which was a UK No.1.

1 November 2008 but resigned six months later to become manager at Tranmere Rovers but left the club on 9 October 2009. John racked up an impressive 586 appearances for four clubs scoring 155 goals. Twice in his career he was voted Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year. He has also won the PFA Players’ Player of the Year and is widely regarded as among the most talented players to wear an England shirt. John was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2005 in recognition of his contribution to the English game. John has become a TV football host and pundit. He also works as an ambassador for Save the Children and also competed in the fifth BBC series of Strictly Come Dancing which started in October 2007. He was awarded the MBE in 1998.

John started the 1990-91 season in scintillating form. However, the resignation of Kenny Dalglish as Manager was a blow. John won the FA Cup again in 1992 despite missing the final with an achilles injury. After 12 years of international recognition John won the last of his 79 caps on 6th September 1995 in the 0-0 draw with Colombia at Wembley. On 13th August 1997, after 407 appearances and 108 goals, John joined former boss Kenny Dalglish at Newcastle United and made 41 appearances scoring 7 times before ending his playing career at Charlton Athletic. He then had a short-lived stint as coach of Celtic with Kenny Dalglish as director of football. He then took over as manager of the Jamaica national team on

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June 2011

PAUL PARKER

aul Parker started his career with Fulham before joining Queens Park Rangers (QPR) where he made his name as a nippy and incisive central defender.

His prowess was noticed by England coach Bobby Robson who, establishing he could also play at right back, gave him his international debut against Albania in 1989. He was selected as back-up for the 1990 World Cup in Italy but was put in the team from the second game. He stayed there as England progressed through their group and as far as the semi-finals, where they met West Germany. Here two incidents would define Parker’s career. With the score at 0–0, the Germans won a free kick just outside the England penalty area early in the second half. As the ball was tapped to Brehme, Paul sprinted from the defensive wall to try to block the shot. Instead, it clipped off him and looped high over goalkeeper Peter Shilton and into the net. The goal was credited to Brehme, but Paul made amends with less than ten minutes to play. Collecting the ball down the right he sent a high and dangerous ball towards Gary Lineker. The German defenders got in each other’s way and Lineker found room to score with a far post shot. The game ended 1–1 but England was knocked out on penalties but Paul emerged from the tournament as one of England’s many successes. On 8th August 1991 Paul was sold by QPR to Manchester United for £2 million and made his debut as a specialist right back against Notts County the same month.

Unfortunately, Paul’s five-year career at Old Trafford was blighted by injury as the club began to dominate the English game under Alex Ferguson. He won a League Cup winners medal in 1992, a Premiership title medal a year later, and another Premiership title medal and the FA Cup in 1994. Continuing injury problems over the last two years though saw Paul replaced by Gary Neville at right back for both club and country. In all Paul won 19 caps for his country. Paul missed most of the 1994–95 season through injury. Despite regaining his fitness for the 1995–96 season, he could not displace the young and improving Gary Neville, and was freed at the end of the campaign. Although United won a (then) unique second double, he did not play in enough Premier League games for a title medal, and did not feature in the FA Cup Final squad. Paul then signed for Derby County, who had just been promoted to the Premier League, but could not win a regular first team place and signed for Sheffield United in early November 1996. Later in the 1996– 97 season, he played several games for Chelsea during an injury crisis at Stamford Bridge, although he did not feature in the FA Cup Final triumph that ended Chelsea’s 26-year trophy drought. After retiring from playing, he managed Chelmsford City and Welling United. He is now employed as an ambassador for the Blue Square Premier League – the highest division of non-league football. He has ventured into media punditry and was the

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June 2011

lead co-commentator with Steve Bower on Setanta Sports’ live Conference National coverage. Paul is participating in his first Bangkok Masters.

LEE SHARPE

ee was known as one of the best left wingers in the English game. He was born in 1971 in Halesowen, England. Bought by Manchester United from Torquay in 1988 for £185,000, Lee would have been a regular first team player were it not for injury and Ryan Giggs who also played in Lee’s preferred left-wing position. However, in addition to his 8 England caps he won an impressive list of medals: the 1991 Cup Winners Cup; 1992 League Cup; the 1993, 1994 and 1996 Premier Leagues; and the 1994 FA Cup. During the 1996-97 season Lee was transferred to Leeds United for around £4.5 million, the last signing made by former Manager Howard Wilkinson. Unfortunately, he never quite managed to reproduce his best form at Elland Road not least because of a severe injury he sustained shortly after his move there. The successive appointments of George Graham and David O’Leary, coaches who favoured other players, hastened Lee’s departure from Elland Road. After a brief period on loan at Sampdoria, he moved to Bradford City where he spent the last few months of 1998/99 on loan. Lee became a useful acquisition for Bradford, helping them avoid the drop in 2000. However, he became out of favour at Bradford towards the latter half of the 2000/2001 campaign and went on loan to Portsmouth, helping them to retain their Division 1 status. Following a brief trial stay with Grimsby Town he signed for Exeter City before he moved to Grindavík in Iceland. In June 2003 he announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 32.

In 2004 and 2006, Lee was a football pundit for ESPN Star Sports in Asia. He is also a pundit on BBC’s Match of the Day 2 and “Football Focus”, and during the 2006 World Cup presented a cup blog for Yahoo. He appeared in football drama ‘Dream Team’ and as a competitor in the 2005 ITV show Celebrity Wrestling under the name “Sharpe Shooter”. He also appeared in Celebrity Love Island. In 2007 Lee appeared as a contestant in ITV’s Dancing on Ice. In 2008, he starred in Ant versus Dec, on Saturday Night Takeaway ITV1. He has also starred as the celebrity ‘hider’ in an episode of Hider in the House and appeared in the 2008 television series Superstars on Channel Five. Since 2009, Lee has been involved with global football charity, Ambassadors in Sport. His first involvement came after a trip to South Africa and an unscheduled invitation to visit an AIS Hope Academy in a South African Prison. Since then he has been involved at different levels with AIS, including Cycle for Hope, a 6 month cycle through Africa. Lee was involved in publicity and also took part in the last leg. He is due to open the Lee Sharpe Football Academy in Natal, Brazil in 2011 On 25 August 2005 Lee’s autobiography ‘My Idea of Fun’ was published, describing his time as a footballer and his resulting celebrity status. Lee plays regularly for Manchester United and England on the football masters circuit and participated in the first Bangkok Masters tournament in November 2004 and in 2009 and 2010.

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June 2011

CLIVE WALKER

live Walker’s remarkable playing career spanned no fewer than 1,000 league and cup games for Chelsea, Sunderland, Queens Park Rangers, Fulham and Brighton before he enjoyed a renaissance in the Conference with Woking and Cheltenham. Clive was an old-fashioned winger who used to terrorise full backs on a weekly basis. He made his Chelsea debut aged 19 on Saturday 23rd April 1977 in a 1-0 defeat at Burnley and went onto make 232 appearances (including substitutes), netting 70 times. He put in Man of the Match performances against European champions Liverpool in the FA Cup in 1978 and 1982 as the Blues pulled off two famous upsets; he scored twice in a 4-2 win in 1978 and set up a late clincher for Colin Lee in a 2-0 win in 1982. With Chelsea facing relegation to the Third Division in 1982-83, and with it potential financial meltdown, Clive also scored a last minute winner against fellow strugglers Bolton Wanderers in the penultimate game of the season to ensure the club’s survival. He worked under many managers including Jim Smith, Dave Sexton, Geoff Hurst, Danny Blanchflower, John Neal, Eddie McCreadie and Steve Cotterill. Clive moved to Sunderland in the summer of 1984. One of the highlights of his time there was scoring a hat-trick against Manchester United. It occurred in 1985 in a 3-2 win for Sunderland at a packed Roker Park. He also returned to haunt his old side the same season in the Milk Cup. They were drawn together in the semi-finals and in the second leg at Stamford Bridge Clive inspired Sunderland to a 3-2 win. After two seasons at Sunderland, Clive moved to Queens Park Rangers in 1986. He then spent three seasons from 1987-1990 at Fulham before joining Brighton. Clive moved to Woking in the Conference in 1993 where his career enjoyed a renaissance due to their FA Cup giant-killing exploits. He played more than 200 games for Woking scoring almost a goal a game. In 1997 he joined Cheltenham before finally calling time on a 24 year career in 2000 at the ripe old age of 42 having notched up a total of 767 league and 233 cup appearances. A qualified coach, he now concentrates on his media work. He’s also a regular for the Chelsea Old Boys and in Masters Tournaments in Asia.

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June 2011

Peter Butler

eter Butler made more than 450 appearances in the Football League and the Premier League.[2] He then took up coaching, first in England and then in Australia and the Far East. In September 2009 he became technical director and head coach of Myanmar National League team Yangon United FC. In September 2010 he became head coach of Thai Premier League team BEC Tero Sasana F.C.

Peter, a midfielder, started his career in 1984 at Huddersfield Town and played more than 200 games in the lower leagues most notably for Southend United and Cambridge United. On 12th August 1992 Peter joined West Ham United from Southend for a fee of £125,000. After 70 games and three goals for West Ham he was transferred to Notts County on 4th October 1994 for £350,000. Peter only played 20 games over the next season and half before moving to West Bromwich Albion for £175,000 on 5th August 1996 following a loan period. He made 50 appearances for West Brom before moving down the leagues to Halifax Town where he finished his league playing career with in 2000 after 63 appearances there. After a spell as caretaker manager of Halifax Town, Paul moved to Australia where he became player-manager of Sorrento FC in the Premier Division of the Football West State League based in the northern Perth suburb of Duncraig. He then coached in Singapore with the Singapore Armed Forces Football Club (SAFFC), in Malaysia with Sabah FA, in Indonesia with Persiba Balikpapan, and then back to Malaysia as coach of Kelantan FA.In September 2009, Peter signed a one-year contract as technical director and head coach of Yangon United FC of Myanmar and in September 2010 he became head coach of Thai Premier League team BEC Tero Sasana F.C.

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June 2011

PAUL MASEFIELD

aul started his career in football in the youth ranks at Southampton where he was Alan Shearer’s striking partner. This allowed Shearer to shine and he didn’t look back. Paul on the other hand left Southampton and signed his first professional contract with hometown club Birmingham City in 1986. Unfortunately, Birmingham was going through tough times and was relegated to Division Three in 1989. Paul’s silky skills and wide girth didn’t suit Birmingham’s brand of total football at the time. Failing to make a first-team breakthrough, in 1992 he moved Cheltenham Town and then to Exeter City where he played a single game. Paul then moved onto Stockport County where he played 7 games. Doncaster Rovers beckoned where Paul played 9 first-team games. Strangely, after Paul had left, in 1992 Birmingham became the first team to be promoted from Division Three to Division One as the divisions were restructured. In 1993 he joined Preston North End, made 6 appearances and got the opportunity to play with David Moyes. Brief spells at Bromsgrove Rovers and player-coaching at Limerick Town in Eire followed before he moved to Hong Kong in November 1994 to play for Sing Tao Sports Club. He also played for a Hong Kong League All-Star team against the likes of Yugoslavia, Inter Milan and Sampdoria, where he was given the task of manmarking World Footballer of the Year Ruud Gullit.

Paul moved to Singapore in 1998 to play for Jurong FC, Clementi Khalsa FC (in 1999) and Tanjong Pagar United FC in the S-League before injury forced him to retire from football. He then decided to put his vast knowledge of football to good use by coaching the next generation of footballers in Singapore and Malaysia through his own company Little League Soccer (www. littleleaguesoccer.com), a coaching school for children which attracts as many as 3,000 subjects per year. He has also coached Singapore Cricket Club. Paul’s claim to fame is that he has set foot on the pitch at Wembley three times without winning – with Birmingham in the Leyland DAF Cup (non-playing), while on loan at Nuneaton Borough in an FA Vase Final losing to Leek Town in a replay and with Preston losing to Wycombe Wanderers in a play-off match. In 2001 Paul was offered a contract to be one of the faces of ESPN STAR Sports massively popular English Premier League coverage. As the success of the league has grown in Asia so Paul’s popularity has risen due to his animated and informative style. He is now much in demand for media related activities and has hosted or MC’d numerous football events in Bangkok for the BCCT. He lives in Singapore with his wife Stephanie and children and owns a company that runs a coaching school for children which attracts as many as 3000 students each year.

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June 2011

DARRELL DUFFY

arrell signed for Aston Villa from West Midlands Schools in March 1985. A skillful central defender he represented England at both under 16 and under 17 levels. He played for the Aston Villa first team and, having signed professional in July 1989, was a regular in the Villa reserves from 1987-1990. In August 1992 Darrell left Villa and signed for non-league Moor Green. In the same year he transferred back into the league to Scunthorpe United where he played 4 games before moving on to Tamworth. Darren is now a policeman – ask him what he actually does. Darrel makes a welcome return for his sixth successive tournament. The quiet man of the All Stars team, ‘Super-cop’ was the All Stars’ top goal-scorer in the 2007 tournament but featured infrequently during the last three tournaments. With the opposition never bothering to mark him he sets low standards that he continually fails to achieve.

PJ ROBERTS

aul “PJ” Roberts is a former Australian footballer and is currently a TV pundit with ESPN Star Sports in Singapore and is perhaps best known for presenting Nokia Football Crazy. He is also a financial adviser. PJ took a keen interest in Liverpool as a young boy growing up in Australia as Craig Johnston was playing for them. An uncompromising ball-winner PJ had a diverse playing career, having plied his trade professionally in Australia with Canberra Cosmos and Perth Glory, United States of America, Malaysia with Sarawak and most recently in Singapore

with Geylang United. He also captained Australia in the 1996 FIFA/Futsal World Cup in Spain. Unfortunately, his playing career was cut short in 2003 due to injury. PJ has Bachelor Degrees in both Science and Education, and an MBA from the University of Western Australia. He has been tagged the ‘brainiest footballer in Asia’ by the local Singapore press. PJ is made his first appearance at the 2009 Bangkok Masters. He was the midfield engine room and scored the winning penalty that gave the All Stars their first Veterans Cup title since 2005.

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June 2011

ANDREW LECI

ndrew Leci has had various incarnations in a career that’s getting longer by the day. He is currently an anchor for ESPN STAR Sports, presenting the network’s coverage of the Barclays Premier League, Sportscenter and anything else he happens to get roped into.

good book stores (and some not very good ones) and has been a bestseller in Malaysia, where the story takes place. In his live performing days, Andrew was a renowned stand-up comedian, a role he often incorporates in the world of football - especially when he’s on the field.

At various stages in his past lives he has been an actor, restaurant owner, barman, lift attendant, biscuit designer, newspaper delivery boy, test pilot for Airfix, theatre producer, food critic and writer. His first novel, ‘Once Removed’, is currently in all

Andrew has played football at the very lowest level, and is continuing to descend. A versatile atacking midfielder, who occasionally pops up on the wing, but is probably most useful on the bench, Andrew can’t play in defence either, and has been

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June 2011

known to don the goalkeeper’s gloves in times of hardship, approaching apocalypse or with sufficient liquid inducement. This will be his 5th Bangkok Masters, and after having won the tournament at the first time of asking, Andrew was a double winner in 2010 with the All Stars in the over 35s as an outfield player and with Team Bondi in the over 45s as goalkeeper. Claims that he had little to do in either team will be rebuffed.

2010 Tournament Networking Evening

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June 2011

EVERY HAND’S A WINNER By Derek Currie

very hand’s a winner, every hand’s a loser but does that apply to FIFA or UEFA?

In the money-making business of football these days one would have to say no. In simple terms, they hold all the aces. However change might not be too far round the corner. More so I feel for FIFA with their clandestine operations under scrutiny, certainly with the way the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup venues were conducted leaves little doubt about that. So how should the powers in the corridors of Zurich and Lyon clean up their act and change an ever growing despotic image? Transparency would be a start with a good sprinkling of common sense in relation to making decisions about the advancement of the game and technology. The embarrassment of a Frank Lampard goal being disallowed for being a yard over the line against Germany and a Carlos Tevez goal scored for Argentina against Mexico in a clear off-side position dd little to rattle the stiff suits of Zurich, under their commander-in-chief, Herr Blatter. Even a slap by Spain’s David Villa on a Hondurian player was swept under the carpet for whatever reason by the socalled, disciplinary panel.

Not South Africa, but the last World Cup itself should have been a wake-up call for FIFA. Even before it began, the double-handball of Thierry Henry that cheated Ireland out of a possible place at the finals in South Africa was a disgrace. If common sense prevailed, that game should have been replayed. However FIFA did not have the bottle to make a landmark decision. How can their motto be ‘Fair Play’? The modern game is simply too fast for Referee’s when so much is at stake. A place in the next round of the World Cup, third or fourth spot in the English Premier League can make a difference in the route to the Champions League or equally at relegation battles. Referees also make common mistakes in their handling of games and I think that’s an area, where perhaps referees should be as accountable as everybody else is in the game. Pundits have suggested some sort of challenge system by the club captain in a game to a dubious decision. Certainly one way of making a referee accountable. Technology must be applied in some form and blatant bad decisions not being recognized by FIFA only makes them lose more credibility. We know FIFA are not in favour of this, but

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June 2011

public outcry has forced them to rethink and Blatter has said that if a suitable systen can be found for goalline technology, then he did not rule it out at the 2014 finals in Brazil….but I wouldn’t hold my breath on that one. On a lighter note, a suitable system reminds me of a dinner discussion on the subject just off the Champs Elysee at the tail end of the ’98 World Cup in France. I was sitting with Hugh Dallas who had refereed the France v Italy Quarter-final and duties over as with Craig Brown the Scotland manager. The other party at the table with us was Jimmy Armfield. “I’ve been telling them for the last twenty years about ball over the line decisions, but nobody listens to me. It’s simple, all you need is a man sitting on a chair placed in a suitable position with a flag in his hand. If it’s over the line he raises the flag, simple as that,” he said. It might seem antiquated, but hey, how can you argue with the principle and could be applied to any grade of football and inexpensive! Perhaps Jimmy Armfield should have sent his recommendation to Blatter and the course of history might have been changed. Actually simple ideas can often work a treat, like when the red and yellow cards were first introduced just after the infamous Antonio Rattin incident when he failed to comprehend that he had just

been sent off in ’66 against England. Even Jack Charlton did not know he had been booked in the match by the German referee until after the game and asked Ken Aston if in his capacity as a FIFA referee, he could confirm the booking. The language barrier was clearly a problem when officiating in international matches and Ken Aston who had been at the game when driving home came up with the idea driving down Kensington High Street. As the traffic light turned red he thought of the colour coding, amber steady, red stop. He thought yellow take it easy and red, you’re off. His recommendation were first used at the 1970 World Cup finals and still used over 40 years later. For me common sense has always been the key word in football and I’ll never forget an incident at the Carlsberg Cup in 2003 between Iran and Denmark. On the 45th minute of the first half there was a blast of the whistle and the Iranian defender, picked up the ball with his hands and kicked it to his keeper to pass on to the referee. Wrong? It was not the ref who blew the whistle but someone in the crowd. And to the astonishment of the 21,000 fans and the Iranian side, Hong Kong referee Chui Sin-chuen gave a penalty to Denmark. If Chui had been smart, knowing he

had’nt blown, and realizing the error on the part of the player , he should just have taken the ball and signalled half-time, with minimum of fuss. But no, the Iranians were incensed and threatened to walk off the field to put the whole tournament into dissaray. As being involved in the event, I rushed down to the field where Danish coach, Morten Olsen was in conversation with his captain, Morten Wieghorst. Before I knew it, the big Dane strode up to take the spot kick. The whole ground came to an eerie like silence and Wieghorst ran forward and conveniently hit the ball three yards wide of the goal. The whole stadium erupted with cheers and handclaps and from a tournament point of view, I breathed a sigh of relief. After the game Wieghorst, who played his club football at that time for Glasgow Celtic said to me after the game. “ Can you imagine if I had to make that decision playing against Glasgow Rangers?” However common sense in that game prevailed, thanks to the honest integrity from Denmark and Morten Olsen and won many plaudits worldwide for their actions….. despite the Iranians getting a dodgy penalty three minutes into the second half and winning the game 1-0. Talk about honesty not paying.

dropped his yellow card during the game. Unluckily for him, Paul Gascoigne found it, picked it up and playfully booked Smith before handing it back to him. In front of a disbelieving Ibrox, Smith called back Gascoigne and issued a genuine caution to the Geordie. But back to the big issue, we need technology in the modern era of the game if only to make things right. There will still be enough incidents which don’t come under the umbrella of technology to talk about in the pubs, streets, or wherever after the game. For me, I am all for a fifth match official who has direct communication with the referee or through whatever channel acting as a video referee. He would determine calls on offside which results in the move in question resulting in a goal being given or not. The same applies for goal-line incidents. Anyway if you see Nobby Piles, Greg Watkins, Danny Poole or myself sitting behind the goal this weekend with a flag in our hands, you’ll know technology has finally come to the BCCT-Tesco Lotus Masters Football Tournament, with or without FIFA’s approval. Footnote: when you see Derek, ask him who the lad is to his right on the black and while photo

Continuing on cruel referees, one of the best was during the Rangers 7-0 romp against Hibernian when Dougie Smith

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June 2011

Paul Share – Rest in Peace

aul Share passed passed away earlier this year at just 56. He had been taken to the Saint Louis Hospital Bangkok seriously ill and spent nearly four weeks in intensive care but sadly did not recover. Paul was cremated at Wat Don Saton Bangkok and a memorial plaque will shortly be unveiled in his remembrance. Paul was a former football player and an avid lover of the game. He played in all the Bangkok Masters tournaments from 2007-2010 for any team that would give him a game – as can be seen from the wide variety of shirts in the photos! On several occasions he played for the BCCT team and never objected to being thrown in upfront on his own with three defenders to get past. In his fifties Paul represented the England National Team in the Veterans World Cup. He was a devout Liverpool supporter and an enthusiastic collector of signed football memorabilia. All Paul’s footballing friends greatly miss him and will be raising a glass or two in his memory during this year’s Masters.

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June 2011

2011 TOURNAMENT HIGHLIGHTS

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June 2011

WINNER - PREFERRED RECRUITMENT FIRMS HIGH END ROLES (HEADCOUNT SIZE OVER 500)

WINNER - PREFERRED RECRUITMENT FIRMS HIGH END ROLES (FINANCIAL SERVICES)

WINNER - PREFERRED RECRUITMENT FIRMS MID RANGE ROLES

WINNER - PREFERRED RECRUITMENT FIRMS MID RANGE ROLES (HEADCOUNT SIZE OVER 500)

WINNER - PREFERRED RECRUITMENT FIRMS MID RANGE ROLES (FINANCIAL SERVICES)

THE RECRUITER AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE 2010 WINNER - PREFERRED RECRUITMENT FIRMS BEST INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT CONSULTANCY AWARD HIGH END ROLES (HEADCOUNT SIZE OVER 500)

WINNER - PREFERRED RECRUITMENT FIRMS HIGH END ROLES (FINANCIAL SERVICES)

WINNER - PREFERRED RECRUITMENT FIRMS MID RANGE ROLES

ASIAMONEY WINNER - PREFERRED RECRUITMENT FIRMS MID RANGE ROLES (HEADCOUNT SIZE OVER 500) HEADHUNTERS WINNER - PREFERRED POLL 2010RECRUITMENT FIRMS MID RANGE ROLES (FINANCIAL SERVICES) ASIAMONEY HEADHUNTERS POLL 2010 BEST HEADHUNTING FIRM FOR BANKING MIDDLE/BACK OFFICE RECRUITMENT IN ASIA

WINNER - PREFERRED RECRUITMENT FIRMS HIGH END ROLES (HEADCOUNT SIZE OVER 500)

WINNER - PREFERRED RECRUITMENT FIRMS HIGH END ROLES (FINANCIAL SERVICES)

WINNER - PREFERRED RECRUITMENT FIRMS MID RANGE ROLES

WINNER - PREFERRED RECRUITMENT FIRMS MID RANGE ROLES (HEADCOUNT SIZE OVER 500)

WINNER - PREFERRED RECRUITMENT FIRMS MID RANGE ROLES (FINANCIAL SERVICES)

THE RECRUITER AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE 2010 THE ASIAN BANKER SUPPORTING INDUSTRY AWARD

WINNER - PREFERRED RECRUITMENT FIRMS WINNER PREFERRED RECRUITMENT HIGH END -ROLES (HEADCOUNT SIZE OVERFIRMS 500)

BEST INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT CONSULTANCY AWARD THE ASIAN BANKER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR EXECUTIVE SEARCH TO THE COMMERCIAL BANKING INDUSTRY - MID LEVEL CATEGORY

THE RECRUITER AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE 2010 BEST INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT CONSULTANCY AWARD

HIGH END ROLES (HEADCOUNT SIZE OVER 500)

WINNER - PREFERRED RECRUITMENT FIRMS WINNER PREFERRED RECRUITMENT HIGH END -ROLES (FINANCIAL SERVICES) FIRMS HIGH END ROLES (FINANCIAL SERVICES)

WINNER - PREFERRED RECRUITMENT FIRMS WINNER - PREFERRED RECRUITMENT FIRMS MID RANGE ROLES MID RANGE ROLES

WINNER - PREFERRED RECRUITMENT FIRMS WINNER - PREFERRED RECRUITMENT FIRMS MID RANGE ROLES (HEADCOUNT SIZE OVER 500) MID RANGE ROLES (HEADCOUNT SIZE OVER 500)

WINNER - PREFERRED RECRUITMENT FIRMS WINNER - PREFERRED RECRUITMENT MID RANGE ROLES (FINANCIAL SERVICES) FIRMS MID RANGE ROLES (FINANCIAL SERVICES)

ASIAMONEY HEADHUNTERS POLL 2010 ASIAMONEY HEADHUNTERS POLL 2010 BEST HEADHUNTING FIRM FOR BANKING MIDDLE/BACK OFFICE RECRUITMENT IN ASIA

www.robertwalters.com.sg

THE ASIAN BANKER SUPPORTING INDUSTRY AWARD

THE RECRUITER AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE 2010

THE ASIAN BANKER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR EXECUTIVE SEARCH TO THE COMMERCIAL BANKING INDUSTRY - MID LEVEL CATEGORY

THE ASIAN BANKER SUPPORTING INDUSTRY AWARD THE ASIAN BANKER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR EXECUTIVE SEARCH TO THE COMMERCIAL BANKING INDUSTRY - MID LEVEL CATEGORY

THE PERFECT PLAYER By Steve Darby PHYSICAL MENTAL

THE PERFECT PLAYER

TECHNICAL TACTICAL

t the 2011 BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters there will be thousands of fans watching the games in pursuit of the holy grail of football, “The Perfect Player”...Ok there may be a few fans watching players who think they are the Perfect Player! But what is the Perfect Player, for the sake of the Masters players, maybe they can compare themselves to some of the players outlined here, and even better take the ‘£”&*’ out of team mates who may be lacking in some of these areas.

PHYSICAL QUALITIES AEROBIC CAPACITY The ability to “run all day”, “good engines” measured by the bleep test. The ability to cover long distances in a game i.e. Beckham - 10km per match. Gained by either long distance running or playing games at a high intensity. Watch Maldini, Cole, etc.

Helps with the range of movement, reduces injury (less chance of “doing a hammy”) Gained by stretching and core work in the gym. Should be done before and after training for maximum effect. This is a great asset for Nana Plaza or Soi 7

TECHNICAL QUALITIES HEADING A difficult skill and often under rated. Watch Vidic,Ivanovic. Strong neck muscles will assist this skill, plus confident technique. “You head the ball…it doesn’t head you” Watch the ball right onto your forehead. PASSING The higher you play the more important this is. You “keep the ball” at the highest level. The qualities of a pass are its accuracy i.e. to feet, or in front of a player, and its weight i.e. can the receiver pass or shoot first time. Watch Xavi, Iniesta, Modric, etc.

ANAEROBIC CAPACITY

CONTROLLING

The ability to run fast “he’s like lightning” “he gets there first” i.e. Michael Owen and Thierry Henry. Measured by sprint tests through light gates. Gained by sprint training and weight training. The ability to repeat sprints is a great asset, watch Hernandez, Raul, Torres, etc.

Your first touch of a ball should allow you to pass or shoot with the next touch. The majority of high level football is played at one and two touch. You get in the line of flight of the ball, relax the controlling surface and keep the ball moving. You should try to receive the ball with your body in a position that you can always see the opponent’s goal. Watch Zidane, Messi, etc.

STRENGTH/POWER Essential ingredient of a modern player. “He doesn’t get knocked off the ball” “he wins tackles” “he can look after himself” Measured by Gym tests. Strength is gained by weight training and plyometric work. You get to the ball first, jump higher, can protect the ball better and get injured less. Watch Rooney, Carroll, etc. FLEXIBILITY

TACKLING The best defenders come off the pitch with “clean shorts” Go to ground as a last resort as when you are on the ground you are out of the game. The best defenders “nick the ball” they “mark in advance” or “inside to out”. They intimidate forwards with strength, never show pain. When jockeying, “watch the ball…not the feet of the forward” try to force the forward wide or

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June 2011

even better towards his own goal. Try to win the ball when you have cover. Watch Ferdinand, Kompany, etc. DRIBBLING A player who can “take people on” “do people” can destroy any team shape as they pull players out of position if they have gone past somebody. Watch Giggs and Messi. The key factors are change of pace and direction. The best dribblers keep the ball between their feet so they can go either way and often keep the ball going when they are tackled. The great players know when to stop dribbling and when to pass. Dribbling is encouraged in the final third and THEIR penalty box. SHOOTING “If you don’t shoot you don’t score” be prepared to shoot, have confidence. The best shot in the world is no good if it is wide so the most important thing is accuracy! Not power. The majority of goals are scored from 1 or 2 touch. So as the ball comes, relax, get the ball “out of your body” and “watch the ball hit your foot”. The ball goes where your head goes… Watch Eto, Fowler, Van Nistelrooy, Ronaldo, etc.

TACTICAL QUALITIES TEAM JOB Know your job in the team shape…and do it. Know the other roles in case you have to “sit-in” or play there in an emergency. Know the systems of play and what qualities are needed in them. Watch Carragher, Park Ji Sung, etc RUNNING OFF THE BALL Learn the skill of running “off the ball” when you don’t have the ball don’t just stand still. Take defenders into bad areas and “create holes” for other players to run

into. Many great goals have been created by unselfish running. Watch Litmanen, Bergkamp, Sheringham, etc. MARKING Know when to mark man for man (i.e. in your penalty box) or zone i.e. in a flat back four (Dixon/Adams/Keown/Winterburn). Know where to mark “touch tight” and where to give yourself room. Try to mark not so tight that forwards can “roll you” or too far so they can turn and run at you. There is no perfect distance; it depends on what part of the pitch you are in and the type of opponent. Learn to track players in Mid field. It’s easy to run forward, great midfielders can also “track back” and not lose their man. i.e. Gerrard, Parker, etc. SUPPORTING As soon as you have passed a ball look to get into a position where you can receive it again. Don’t get too close as you’ll “squeeze your own space” get yourself in a position where if you receive the ball you can pass it forward as soon as possible. ie Scholes, Veron, Viera, etc. VISION Vision or “seeing things early” is the sign of a great player. Usually comes from playing thousands of games in streets/ training. Great players play “with their heads up” and even they haven’t got the ball they are looking for their next pass. Watch Xavi, Alonso, Iniesta, etc. Try to watch them when they haven’t got the ball, they are always “scanning” the pitch. COMMUNICATION QUALITY communication is essential in football. Avoid clichés and abuse to team mates…neither get you anywhere. Give quality instructions i.e. man on…go right 5 metres. Encouragement is a great motivator especially when it gets “tough”

in a match. Watch Terry, PRINCIPLES OF THE GAME Attack: Penetration/Depth/Mobility/Width Defence: Delay/Cover/Balance/Concentration Try to understand what they mean and when and how to apply them. These principles can also apply to drinking and nights out in Bangkok!

MENTAL QUALITIES DISCIPLINE Self-discipline is essential in football. You can’t afford to get sent off for stupid offences i.e. dissent. Stupid yellow cards which result in a suspension can cost you money, your place in the team and points for the team. Controlled aggression is a great quality. Watch Scholes, Batty, etc. DIET

provoke you through jealousy…avoid the places where the idiots are…It is reported that the Nevilles where laughed at for their work ethic…have you seen their bank account? ENTHUSIASM There is no crime in being enthusiastic about training…and enthusiasm is infectious. Anybody can be cynical…but one day you will miss training (think what it’s like when you are injured) treat every session with enthusiasm. To have reached this level you must have loved the game…don’t lose the love of the game. Watch Bryan Robson, Peter Reid, etc. HIGH STANDARDS Set high personal standards in everything you do. Be strong enough to resist pressure from weaker mates. YOU want to “make it” there are times when you have to be selfish. Have good habits in practice. SO DON’T GO OUT TO SOI COWBOY TONIGHT!!

If you’ve got a Mercedes you don’t put in cheap fuel in it. You are a professional athlete put the best fuel in your body. If you are not sure …ask. The days of overweight players have gone…Footballers are athletes…Ronaldo, Beckham, PAUL MASEFIELD

HARD WORK!!!!

LIFESTYLE

SO THE LA LIGA …SERIES A AND EPL SCOUTS WILL BE ALL COMING TO THE BANGKOK MASTERS IN SEARCH OF THE PERFECT PLAYER…WILL THEY FIND HIM?

Bangkok masters players may completely ignore this section! Footballers are human, they are not angels. BUT the reality is that you may have the opportunity to make enough money to retire at 35!! Why waste that opportunity. Do you need to drink? Every time you think you want a drink…is it going to make me a better player?? Also the reality is that you are in a profession that is perceived to be great lifestyle. You will get idiots trying to

Listen and/or talk to the top Pros…. They will tell you there is no substitute for hard work. The odd freak may make it on natural ability…are you prepared to risk it? Hard work is a skill and is well valued by people who pick teams and team mates.

Steve Darby is an FA Coach, a FIFA Instructor for Oceania and an AFC Instructor. He has coached professionally at national league and International level in Bahrain, Australia, Fiji, Malaysia,Vietnam and Singapore. He is currently Coach for Thailand FA and Technical Director. He failed many aspects of the Perfect Player and had a career halted by a severe lack of ability.

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June 2011

Refs are All Part of the Entertainment by Roger Crutchley

anchester United Manager Sir Alex Ferguson began the season being fined for saying nasty things about referees and ended the season with a reprimand for saying nice things about referees. It’s all a little bit confusing but underlines the fact that you cannot keep what used to be the men in black out of the limelight.

what a good footballer he is, as Stephen Lodge discovered in a match between Leicester and Coventry some years ago. He awarded a free-kick and attempted a fancy back-heel of the ball to where the kick should be taken. Unfortunately he trod on the ball and went sprawling in spectacular fashion, prompting much mirth amongst spectators and players alike.

Ferguson’s annual jousting with officialdom has become an entertaining subplot in Premiership football, although of course he is not the first to voice a less than flattering opinion on referees.

Referees have to put up with all sorts of insults. Back in 1995, Oldham winger Rick Holden caused a stir when he remarked after a match: ``in all fairness the referee had a complete cerebral failure.’’

You do wonder why anyone of a sane mind would want to be a referee in the first place. They know they are taking on a career which will feature regular verbal abuse, physical threats and virtually zero thanks.

After a game against Everton in 1999, Derby Manager Jim Smith commented ``I understand that (Everton Manager) Walter Smith described the ref as `diabolical’. I didn’t think he was as good as that.’’

For the spectators it is traditional to mock referees in moments of personal embarrassment. A referee simply falling over will bring hoots of laughter from any self-respecting football crowd. Even better is when the ball whacks him on his backside or in the groin and he collapses in an ungainly heap. And a referee should never try and show

Joe Kinnear has always been good value for comments on officials. After one match he observed: `` It was a decent game, but the ref’s basically a serial killer.’’ Anyone can get in on the act. After a referee had made controversial decisions in a match between Bristol Rovers and Wigan a few years ago, over the tannoy at the final whistle came the announcement: ``The referee is available for Christmas pantomime

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June 2011

or cabaret.’’ Many years ago after a Syrian ref had totally ruined a World Cup game between Belgium and Mexico through excessive whistling and card showing, BBC linkman Desmond Lynam announced: ``A film called `Passport To Terror’ will follow the match and I think the referee will be in it.’’ It’s the managers who really take it to heart if the referees are perceived not to get things right. When David Jones was the gaffer at Southampton in 1999, after a match featuring controversial decisions he blasted: ``The referee was bobbins. If you need that translating, it means crap.’’ After a game in 1999, an exasperated Oldham Manager Andy Ritchie came out with : ``The ref was a disgrace. He got three things right - the kick-off, half-time and full-time.’’ One referee always in the thick of things was Uriah Rennie, thankfully now retired. After Rennie had made a series of bizarre decisions in a Wolves v Southampton match, it was Jones again who commented: ``I have to be careful what I say about the referee,’’ then, after a brief pause, he

splendidly added ``but I thought he was useless.’’ Jones was not the first manager to express doubts about Rennie. Kevin Keegan once commented: ``I never talk about Uriah Rennie except to say I don’t like him as a referee -_ never have, never will. End of story.’’ Referees are generally hard-skinned and ignore the criticism but sometimes it makes its mark. One of the highest profile screw ups by a referee was Graham Poll in the 2006 World Cup when in a turbulent match between Croatia and Australia, he gave the same player three yellow cards. Poll admitted it was an embarrassment. ``All the next season the crowds sang `World Cup and you f----- it up.’ And they were right. That hurt. I heard it and it cut me every time.’’ It’s not just in England that referees take abuse. There was an entertaining incident in the Bundesliga some years ago when a Stuttgart player got into trouble after calling the referee a ``sausage’’. In fact it was worse than that, he called him a ``blind bratwurst’’. The referee had to be physically restrained. He had been called many things during his career but nothing as degrading as a ``bratwurst’’.

Some incidents live in the memory. Few will forget the time when Paolo Di Canio pushed referee Paul Alcock who went to ground in theatrical fashion in a game between Arsenal and Sheffield Wednesday in 1998. Recalling the match commentator Barry Davies observed: `If the referee had been a player, he would have been booked for diving.’’ One thing that is guaranteed to upset referees is to accuse them of being biased, which unfortunately some managers are a bit too quick to imply. This only happens when they lose. You never hear a winning manager complain about the ref... well, not a lot. In 1989 Arsenal defender Tony Adams called referee David Elleray a cheat. Elleray responded with appealing frankness: ``We may be useless, but we’re not cheats.’’ Some referees are very honest about their limitations. When confronted by Crystal Palace Manager Alan Smith back in 1993, referee Ian Borett responded frankly: ‘’Okay, I’m having a crap game and nothing you could say will alter it.’’

loud as anyone but I wouldn’t want to do their job for a gold pig.’’ Criticism can come from unexpected quarters. After refereeing a match at Stoke, Barry Knight found a little old lady waiting for him outside the dressing room. He smiled at her and she responded: ``Mr Knight, I’m 74 and a grandmother and I would just like to say you’re the worst f------ referee I’ve ever seen.’’ For all their failings on the pitch, at least the referees can rely on their wives for support or can they? Retired referee Neil Midgely recalls his first match in the top flight: “My wife, who was in the stands, told me that at one stage the entire row stood up and gave me the V-sign. I asked her what she did and she said she didn’t want them to know who she was so she stood up and joined in.’’ But we shouldn’t be too hard on refs because none of us could do any better. And anyway, if it weren’t for the refs, we wouldn’t have anything to argue about during the week.

Some managers privatively sympathise with referees. Current Wolves boss Mick McCarthy commented some years ago: ``I complain about referees as long and as

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June 2011

Team Profiles BARBARIANS Meet the 50-something soccer tragics who have defied the tick-tock of time to travel to the Bangkok Masters. They maybe more arthritic than prolific and more hustle than muscle, but these fine specimens from Australia’s sunny Gold Coast mean business! In the tradition of the name, the Barbarians are made up from various teams from the Gold Coast over 45s competition in an age range where the aroma of liniment is overpowering and the rattle of pain killers is deafening. The boys in one format or another have competed in 12 Masters Games over the years in locations such as Malaysia, Hawaii, Canada and Down Under. Team Leader Pete Nicholson says “We try and stay in good shape to prepare for these Masters events and the enthusiasm is as intense as ever. None of us are in a hurry to toss aside the boots despite the aching limbs and lightning pace of our games.” “The first stop for the antiquated army before Bangkok is 2 warm up games in Kuala Lumpur”

Colbar Tigers The Colbar Tigers were founded in 1982 by expatriate teachers working in Singapore schools. Some of the original members are still playing. The team is named after The Colbar Eating House which has been run by Mr. and Mrs Lim since the British army days. Footballing talent has never been a prerequisite for joining the Colbar Tigers although a good general knowledge for the weekly post match quiz is essential. The average age of the team is around 50 years but we have sent a youth squad to take part in the over 40 category. The Colbar Tigers are known for their sense of fair play and respect for referees, especially in regular encounters with the UWC team.

Gold Coast Koalas 45s Back again, by popular demand (well, maybe not, but we came anyway). This team was the inaugural winner of the Over 45s division, and last year's losing finalist (having changed their team name to Jotun Penguins in a blatant money grab). We hope to rekindle past glories by downing yet more beer this year, and sinking a few goals along the way. The bulk (and I mean BULK) of our group has been together for four years as a team at this tournament. All are friends from various corners of the globe over the past 20 years - except for Sid - we don't like him.

Gold Coast Koalas The Gold Coast Koalas - 27 years young: attending veteran soccer tournaments in all corners of the globe since 1984. The Koalas play in the same sixteen team Over 45s league on the Gold Coast, Australia as the Barbarians. This is our fifth year at the Tesco/Lotus BCCT Bangkok Masters, and from humble beginnings of 8 players in our touring party in 2007, the group has grown to 36 players and partners this year. Once again, thanks to Greg and his team for organising the tournament, and for opening a 50’s division for our ageing legs, yet sprightly hearts.

Harrow International Vets. Staff Team. Two years in a row we have battled against the All Stars and it has been getting better and better. Going top of the group after beating them last year 1:0 on the Saturday was a major highlight and just missing out in the penalty shoot-out on the Sunday after a thrilling 2:2 draw against Ian Rush’s side in 2010 was an occasion we will not forget. This year we may not have big Rocky in goal but with the help of the Harrow Cooks we will be aiming for the final yet again with the chant “Come on you Accies”.

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June 2011

Port Rangers Football Club It’s great to be back in Bangkok for this year’s tournament as we had an awesome time there in year 2009. We faired badly during our 2009 inaugural participation but we are back stronger and wiser after missing out on the 2010 tournament. As this is one of the better organized football tournaments that we have participated in, we would like to thank the Organizing Chairman and his committee for a job well done.

Rawai / Nai Harn FC (Phuket) This will be our third year participating in the Tesco Lotus Bangkok 7’s. Although under a different guise, we have the same core of like minded players representing the southern area of our adopted tropical paradise. This year we are extremely grateful to “Hafele (Thailand)” for their support of the team, we have even drafted in a token German player “Franz”, to keep with the sponsors theme. The rest of the team is comprised mainly of Brit expats, based in the Rawai / Nai Harn area. Our weekly training sessions comprise elements of silky skills, agility, stamina, focus and knowledge of how to avoid buying the next round. Our mentor being Richard “Dil”, who has graciously released funds from his company “Property for sale phuket.co.uk”, to aide our preparations for this years tournament. Each member of the team has been subjected to a strict pre tournament fitness and health regime, so much so, even a laboratory testing “Beagle Hound” would find it hard to pass. This has promoted active competition for selection, although the usual gifts to our captain “Lee” cannot be ruled out, we still consider this year to be our best hope yet. We have been looking forward to this all year. The final honing of our awesome skills will take place in the Sukhumvit area, at a variety of venues, where we look forward to meeting all our fellow competitors and drinking them under the table.

Sunbelt United Sunbelt United has become a phenomenal force in Vets Football over the past three years. Winning the prestigious BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Tournament in 2008 (runners up 2009), Bangkok Vets Season Champions 2009 Season and Phuket 7’s Cup Winners 2009 to name just a few, and of course narrowly beaten in the BVC 8’s 2008 Final. Formed with Expat players, from England, Scotland, Denmark, Italy and beyond It’s hard to find a chink in the Sunbelt armor with quality from back to front, you can be sure come the end of the day Sunbelt United will be there or thereabouts.

Team Bondi Team Bondi return to the BCCT Football 7’s in Bangkok for the seventh consecutive year having competed in every tournament from its inception. We thank the BCCT for organizing another great tournament in 2011. Our thanks also to all the volunteers and sponsors for their ongoing support. Having won the event four years in a row we are extremely proud to be competing in the Over 45’s for the Ian Gray Trophy this year which was named in memory of our late dear friend, team mate and coach Iggy. Heading the delegation of “Bondi Boys” will be former Socceroo, Brad “Bugsy” Maloney, who has put together this squad of no name footballers with inexperience from all over the globe. We wish all the teams an enjoyable and successful tournament.

Richmond FC

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June 2011

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