Bangkok Masters Football 2013 by The British Chamber of Commerce Thailand

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June 2013

Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS BCCT would like to thank the following: MAIN TOURNAMENT SPONSOR

Acknowledgements...................................................................... 7 Welcome Message from Steve Coppell.................................. 9 Welcome Message from Greg Watkins.................................11 2012 Tournament Highlights............................................ 12-13 The Worst BPL So Far ??? What Do You Think?...................14 How ‘Premier’ is the Premier League? No BPL Team in the Uefa Champions League Final!.......16

FOOTBALL DINNER SPONSOR

2012 Robert Walters Football Dinner....................................18 Asian Football................................................................................20 Thai Premier League - Rise of the Provinces.......................22 Special Guests Paul Masefield.......................................................................24 Andrew Leci...........................................................................25 PJ Roberts................................................................................26 2012 Tournament Highlights...................................................27 It’s a Long Way from the Recreation Ground to Wembley Stadium........................................................................28 Do the Boring Things Well.........................................................30 Team Players Dean Barrick...........................................................................32 Dez Corkhill ...........................................................................33 Darren Jackson .....................................................................33 Brad Maloney.........................................................................34 Robert Zabica........................................................................35

BEVERAGES SPONSOR

Memories of Sir Alex...................................................................36 Sir Alex - The Legend...................................................................38 Team Profiles........................................................................... 40-44 James ‘Shaggy’ Lakin 1974-2012............................................46

The views expressed by individual authors are not necessarily those of the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand or of the publisher. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand is strictly prohibited.

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June 2013

WELCOME MESSAGE FROM Steve Coppell

t is a great pleasure to welcome all players to the 2013 BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament. The tournament is now in its tenth year and the eighth year of naming sponsorship by Tesco Lotus. Unfortunately I am unable to be in Bangkok to watch the tournament this year. Past tournaments have been great fun not only for the many amateur participants but also for several of my old team-mates and rivals such as Viv Anderson, Ian Rush, Peter Reid and Clive Walker. If my knee was in much better working order I would be joining you on the field. Professional football is becoming a noncontact sport but veterans football is virtually at the non-contact stage already but for more realistic and practical reasons. However, it is great that amateur veteran footballers from all over the world get together to show younger players how the game should be played and in a spirit of sportsmanship and fair play. With BCCT’s organization and Tesco Lotus’ support the Bangkok Masters has grown significantly during the past nine years. I wish the 2013 tournament much success. Steve Coppell

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June 2013

WELCOME MESSAGE FROM GREG WATKINS

n behalf of the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand (BCCT), welcome to the 10th Annual BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament. We have 35 participating teams from all over the world including Canada, Australia, Scotland and Japan. We are indebted to the following organisations for their sponsorship and support: •

Tesco Lotus for naming and drinking water co-sponsorship

•

KIS International School, 9 Active and WorkForce Asia Recruitment for cosponsoring the tournament dinner

•

Samitivej Hospital for providing medical facilities at the tournament

•

ThaiBev for sponsoring drinking water and beer

•

Epicure, Danmark and ThaiBev for providing food & beverages

•

All our brochure advertisers

There are also some key people to thank without who’s support the tournament would not have happened: Daniel Poole for his advice and commentary at the tournament; FOX Star Sports’ Paul Masefield for organizing dinner entertainment and his continued support in the absence of an All Star team; Glen Martin for bringing five teams from Australia and for providing referrals to a few more; and to Sid Lloyd in Japan for his contacts.

We return to the NIST for the first time in eight years and are looking forward to trying their FIFA-approved artificial playing surface. Special thanks to Giggs, Toon, Paul, Simon and Adrian for making this happen. Looking back over the past 10 years much fun was had by all. I tried to find a few images of yours truly in action but come up with the photos you see on this page including one from a much earlier time in Thailand. It pays to retain a sense of humour! Looking back to the first Bangkok Masters in November 2004 only three teams are still participating this year – Team Bondi from Australia, Toronto Castaways from Canada and BCCT. However, Team Bondi is the only team to participate in all ten tournaments. Before signing off a quick note in memory of the Bangkok Masters players who have passed away, from Henrik Lorenz in the early years to Team Bondi’s inspiration Ian Gray, footballing mercenary Paul ‘Bling’ Share and now most recently James ‘Shaggy’ Lakin from the Rawai team in Phuket. May they rest in peace. Have a great tournament! Greg Watkins Executive Director British Chamber of Commerce Thailand (BCCT)

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June 2013

2012 TOURNAMENT HIGHLIGHTS

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June 2013

2012 TOURNAMENT HIGHLIGHTS

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June 2013

The Worst BPL So Far ??? What do you think? By Paul Masefield

ou know that I am not 1 to pull my at the time of writing, they could make it punches and personally I have to through to the Champions League again. say that the quality of the BPL this This is down to 1 man in their team, season has gone down from seasons past. Gareth Bale. What a player he is and what Yes we have had the usual mind games a difference he has made to the team and the BPL this season. He single handedly has and fun and games with manager appointments and sackings and we put them on the cusp of more glory and have had moments on the pitch that I was pleased to see him be rewarded for really does begger belief. I am on about his efforts with the PFA player and young the quality of football that has been player of the year awards. played week in week out and for me, the The biggest news has just rocked the BPL standard has dropped. and the football world in general. Sir Alex It is easy to determine this fact as Ferguson announced his retirement after Manchester United won the title at a 26 years at the helm of Manchester United canter a few weeks ago. The expected amassing 38 trophies on the way. What a title challenge from Manchester City wonderful career this man has had and never really got any momentum behind I really do take my hat off to Sir Alex and it and as for Chelsea, now there is a club wish him all the best in his retirement. with a few issues that they need to sort Step up my old teammate from Preston, out quickly if they are serious about being David Moyes to take over what is possibly challengers next year. the biggest job in world football. I The real surprise package for me have personally think that what he has done been Spurs. With AVB coming to the again this year with Everton on a shoe helm I thought that after what Harry had string budget is to be commended and achieved it would take a miracle to take given the resources that United have, I them on to the next level. How wrong I think he will do well at Old Trafford and was as AVB and his ‘project’ has taken on keep the glory days going for years to a new lease of life and as things stand come.

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June 2013

There is a theme here and its not on the football but rather the teams, that is why I have said that the standard this year has been poor. Poor is an easy word to describe Q.P.R. and Reading as they have been woeful this season. I feel sorry for Harry Redknapp as he inherited a side of overpaid primadonna’s who really didn’t a toss about the club. I am sure that the clear-out in personnel at Loftus Road will start and QPR will be back next season. Liverpool have started to look like they are a team that is getting things together again, but it is Luis Suarez that once again has ‘taken a chunk’ of the headlines with I can only describe as the worst incident on a football pitch (next to spitting on another player) that I have seen, biting an opponent. I do have to say, WTF is all of that about. There is no doubt that the boy has talent but biting another player…………enough said. Swansea have looked good at times this year. They managed to romance us with their football and went on to win the League Cup. Michael Laudrup is a really good young manager and although he

has said that he is committed to the club, I think that Swansea will have a tough time hanging on to their manager. The capture of Michu shows how astute the man is and im sure there will be more to come from him and the club next season. Sunderland have been controversial this season and the appointment of Paulo Di Canio bought yet more press on the field rather than on it. His political views were hauled over the coals, but a huge victory against Newcastle in the league and if he can keep the black cats in the BPL this season then he will go down in folk law for doing so. The fairytale for me is Wigan. I feel so happy for Dave Whelan as he struggles to keep the Attics in the BPL year in and year out. For them to win the FA Cup after what had happened years ago with Whelan when he played at Wembley really is something else. For Roberto Martinez to allow Whelan to walk the side out at the final is a wonderful gesture as well. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think that we have seen the last of this partnership but with Martinez doing this, he has shown an element of class that

he possess. I do however think that the Everton job maybe a little to big for him to turn down, especially in my opinion that they will be relegated this season as well. There is some breaking news coming through that Roberto Mancini has just been sacked. There is no real surprise in that except that the fans did take to him but the failure to reach targets set by the board this year means that he is another high profile manager to lose his job. I was critical of Mancini and his handling of the Tevez case where he said that he would never play for the club again. He did and they won the league last year but a trophyless season this year was more than the investment and the board could take. I do think that he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do himself any favors with the Balotelli situation. Yes he was mad, but he could create and conjure something out of nothing and would have made a difference if he had stayed. Arsenal are looking like they will just pip Spurs to the 4th place and the Champions League spot, but Arsene Wenger must be happy that his old adversary has retired and we may see Wenger get a little more

involved in the transfer market to try and push United a bit further this upcoming season. It leaves me with Chelsea. What a shambles it has been there this season. I say shambles, as that is what they look like off the pitch. On the pitch, they looked to have secured Champions League football for next season and are in a Europa Cup final v Benfica later this week. That must have been the minimum remit from the owner to Rafa Benitez when he took over as a caretaker manager earlier in the season. His days are numbered, that we do know, but is it leaving a void that will be filled by the special 1. I hope Jose Mourinho returns to the BPL as his enthusiasm is what will be required after Fergie has gone. The big question is though, which blue will he choose. The light one of Manchester or the dark one of Chelsea. One thing is for sure, the football on the field will be better next season, it has to be as for me it canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be any worse than this season.

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June 2013

How ‘Premier’ is The Premier League? No BPL team in the UEFA Champions League Final! By Ray Bigger

ell it all started in August 1992 and the Premier League will celebrate its 21st birthday later this year, August to be precise. Any title with the word ‘Premier’ in it implies the best or pretty much the best and so over years we have come to expect the best. Which brings us to the question is the Premier League really Premier? Well over the years it has without question secured stunning revenues, as the latest contract merry go round of broadcasting rights and the like showed. The figure garnered was somewhere in the region of GBP 5.5 billion pounds. A far cry from the lowly days prior to 1992 when the BBC paid the Football League just a few million and my match fee as a Football League Referee was GBP 150 – the Ferrari had to wait!. However when you go beyond the revenues the picture isn’t quite so premier in my opinion. In refereeing parlance it’s all about ‘in the referee’s opinion’ which I will use to good effect. My first point is if you compare, I know comparisons are somewhat dangerous,

the top flight tennis and golf players they generally turn in consistently high performances and they rarely disappoint. They deliver at the highest level and in turn give spectators value for money. A casual observation of the skill level in the average BPL game will throw up considerable inconsistencies the biggest culprit being the ongoing inability of a player to cross the ball into the opponent’s box to set up a goal scoring opportunity or at least cause the defence something to think about. …and before you leap off your couch knocking your six pack and crisps all over the floor the stats on refereeing decisions shows we get approx. 92% right. So I would say in my opinion the Referees are the only Premier stakeholder in the Premier League. Now take a look at the Bundesliga. The rise to the top of European Football has been on the cards for a few years now and it was evident in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Here you saw the emerging shoots of talented players built around the grass roots structure in Germany and the Academy System. A lot of the young German names were new compared to some of the old war horses in the England team and Germany duly walloped England and deservedly so.

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June 2013

The Bundesliga beats the Premier League in these areas:•

crowd per game average is higher by about 10,000 over the premier league

•

18 of the Bundesliga clubs are profitable

•

the best and biggest stadiums

•

average goals per game is higher

•

the best financial set up

•

basic/technical football skills

By now you might, I suggest, see where I am coming from. Bundesliga season ticket prices are generally lower than the Premier League and may well underscore the higher value low price model which supports the average crowd figures. There certainly appears to be a much stronger connection between the clubs and their fans for one simple reason There is no foreign ownership of clubs in the Bundesliga; they are all locally owned. Foreign ownership is about a return on the buck invested. How many of you would invest your hard earned cash in a BPL club today or a business run by a BPL owner? probably some of you but that’s your call.

Don’t get me wrong. The Premier League and now the Barclays Premier League was a gap in football that Rupert Murdoch exploited. I am not saying the BPL league is a poor league, I just don’t believe it lives up to the billing! Yes some big names players have arrived in the UK but on general observation they collectively I do not believe they produced the consistent form we should expect from players on weekly wages of GBP 100,000/125,000+. Think about it if you needed to have major surgery you would expect the surgeon to be on his game all the time, every time otherwise there would be blood all over the theatre floor! I am talking here about their professional skills on the field and their behaviour both on and off the field, the latter the powers that be at Club level and Premier League have rarely commented on choosing to ignore these transgressions that actually harm the game. So what of the people the fans love to moan at, yes the referees. I’ll say at the outset most fans have little idea of what goes into referee training in terms of the technical knowledge i.e. the rules of the game and physical fitness. A lot of time is spent preparing/training the mind set of refereeing. As Sam Allardyce commented “Once the referee crosses the touchline it’s all in the mind”. At long last the BPL

will have goal line technology next season after years of dithering by FIFA, then again what’s new about FIFA dithering amongst other things. The debate is still raging but surely the key outcome is a goal will be correctly given or ruled out. Justice will be seen to be done. Would anyone turn down DNA evidence that would clear their name, of course not, I am a fan of goal line technology but that is as far as it goes. Tennis, Cricket and Rugby have successfully implemented it years ago and who would argue that it has been detrimental in Tennis in fact quite the reverse.

modern football lacks real leaders. They are in my opinion many managers and coaches but they are not leaders. Why do I say that? Simply put, most managers make endless excuses when results go against them by blaming anyone and almost everyone and that of course includes the referees. Great Leaders do not do that. They take responsibility for failures and look to put it right. When you look at FIFA in particular who can think of an organization so desperate for major surgery, but don’t hold your breath.

As I write this we see Wigan winning the FA Cup which is what the Cup is really all about even if that means Roberto Mancini shown the door. This constant short term merry go round of firing managers raises further questions about the culture if the Premier League but I doubt many of the ‘leading lights’ would understand what I meant by that

So back to the Premier League. As the BBC said” Maybe it’s time to swallow some pride. England might claim to have given the world football, but it could be that Germany has provided the framework for its future”. Has the vast amount of money in the BPL created a false impression of superiority?

..and finally Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement and what better time for him to bow out when you are on top. After 27 years whether you like him or not you cannot acknowledge some no doubt begrudgingly his track record. So how will David Moyes fare? Only time will tell but what a difficult act to follow. His 6 years contract would indicate the Glazers are prepared to give him time. I do feel strongly however that

The Bundesliga has a solid structure, well run/managed and provides entertaining, exciting football played by young homegrown talent that is making German clubs — as well as the national team — a major force in Europe. And all that at an affordable price. What’s not to like? ray@think8.net

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June 2013

2012 Robert Walters Football Dinner

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June 2013

AsiaN Football By Steve Darby

t makes me laugh when I hear “Mat Saleh” “Ang Mo” or “Gwai Lo” say Asian Football is this or Asian football is that, because in reality there is no such thing as Asian football. If we accept that the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) is the football definition of Asia, then within this massive land mass there are vastly differing footballing styles such as Japan or Saudi or Iran or even Malaysia and now also includes Australia. There are also vastly differing economic bases for the AFC footballing nations. And, whether you like it or not, money does make a difference to football development, Nepal and Bangladesh are never going to compete with Korea or Japan. That is why the superb development programs conducted by the AFC such as @Vision Asia@ are essential to the growth of the game. This program raises the bar not only for

players and coaches but for Referees and Administrators and add to this the Project Asia Coaching Program is training many young coaches, both male and female. But I believe there are two major features about football in the region, one is positive and one is negative. The positive feature is that Asian players “can play” Korea and Japan have shown that they can compete at the highest level in the World Cup and also many players from these two nations are now in the Premier league or Bundesliga and once China gets organised then they will be frightening. A further proof of this is the emergence of Asian players in the big money European leagues. It was always going to be difficult for the first few players and choosing the right club can be a crucial factor, as the great Thai player Kiatasuk showed going to Huddersfield and Baichung Bhutia going

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June 2013

to Bury. Not clubs renowned for their development programs! However, as Nakata, Le Tie, Park and Kagawa have shown, they are quality players and this will open the doors to players from smaller nations such as those in SE Asia. What is stopping a Thai going to play in the EPL? The reality is that it’s not ability but the UK Government work permit rules which states that a player must have played in 75% of his countries last two years Internationals AND the nation must be in the top 70 of the FIFA ranking. Not easy for any SE Asian Nation to reach that status as it involves playing many official games and that just doesn’t happen in this region. Bryan Robson and Peter Reid both felt Thai players such as Kawin and Teerasil (Muangthong) could have played in the EPL and Panupong, Nattapong (Chonburi) and Surat and Suree Sukha

(Buriram) played at Championship level. Having seen many Aussies play at this level who I have worked with, I concur completely with Robbo and Reidy’s view. The game needs stars, and although it is often stated, it is true, Thailand needs another Zico! He was a great player who could easily have played in England, as so often in Football, right place, right time is crucial to a player’s success. What Asian players must realise in the 21st century that the game is changing and only good footballers who are great athletes will make it, and the reality of being a pro in Europe is that it is hard work, day in day out! The game is faster than it ever was and I despair when I hear people (from any nation) gloat about the good old days, those players would not have been able to compete in modern football. Try watching the classic Real

Madrid V Eintracht Frankfurt European Cup final, the game is so slow and many players were overweight. The negative feature I have come across (often magnified by media) is that in many Asian countries I have worked or competed in there is an inferiority complex about the standard of football in their nation. They are usually comparing it to EPL. The reality is that yes! EPL is a fantastic product, and well sold in quality television packages, and the big clubs such as Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal have fantastic training and playing facilities, but beneath that elite there are clubs who are nowhere near as well ran as some Asian clubs and facilities in Asia are often light years ahead of England, I know I would rather play at Shah Alam in Selangor than York City! Also many clubs in this region whilst they are not rich, they are not in massive debt and living on the good will

of banks or rich benefactors. Don’t let the drunken expatriate put local football down, Darlington on a wet windy night is not a welcome sight nor is professional players having to remove dog “mess” from the public park they are training on. The future of Asian football is great, massive population bases means there are ready made spectators and players. The best leagues such as J League and K league are on a par with the majority of Europe and SE Asia is growing rapidly. I believe the next step for this region is a SE Asia league, the crowds would love it, the nations have great rivalry and the geography makes it economically feasible. It must be great to be a 15 year old Asian boy who loves football…the future is there, self belief and hard work and a little bit of luck and we could have the next Beckham.

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June 2013

Thai Premier League - Rise of the Provinces By Matt Riley

ver the past five years the Thai Premier League has undergone a remarkable transformation from essentially a Bangkok collective, to one that now represents most of the Kingdom’s regions. In 2007, whilst the league was won by provincial Chonburi, of the fifteen teams below them ten were based in the capital. Fast forward five years and champions SCG Muang Thong United lead only seven other Bangkok teams in a league that had increased by two in the interim. Front runners for promotion to the top tier next season are peppered with provinces like Rayong and the islands of Phuket and Krabi, so this is a process destined to hasten. What has motivated this migration from the city to the provinces? One of the key drivers is the media sports empire Siam Sport. Keen to plug in the football delivery system they control to their wide range of television, newspaper and magazine interests thirsty for news, they support provincial clubs like

Nakhon Nayok and Phuket as a way of developing their market. Whilst this short cuts the natural progression of a league from local to national, it has clearly had strong benefits for the credibility of the Thai Premier League as a national entity. By contrast, the first league table in English football in 1889 contained no London teams. This was more to do with the north/ south divide between clubs who wouldn’t agree on the rules of the game. By the following year, Woolwich Arsenal had joined the second division and now, a century later, the EPL contains seven teams from London and its suburbs. Companies like AIA also see tangible benefits in working away from Bangkok. Sponsoring teams in the troubled South, a place where very few companies dare do business, clubs like Pattani and Yala offer far more profile and new business than a similar sized capital based club with football being, as CEO Ron van Oijen described it, “the only show in town.” For companies like Singha, the exclusivity

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June 2013

of their local beer Leo may not sell so well in the largely Muslim south, but the two hundred percent increase in national sales reported by Bangkok Glass chairman Pawin Bhirombhakdi shows the the pull of the provinces. Shirts as walking billboards for a product facing increasing restrictions on where and when it can be sold and promoted, are a marketing dream. In a country where the capital dwarfs all other cities and massively out pulls the second city of Chiang Mai, it will always be difficult for provinces to be heard on the national stage. Football has given provincial leaders a platform, often politicking mercilessly but investing huge funds into first and even regional league teams. Buriram famously used their players to promote Chairman Newin Chidchob’s Bhumjaithai Party, although his subsequent heavy election defeat showed how football can’t fool all the people, all the time. Where the money from these grandees comes from

is often best glossed over, but areas previously seen as sleepy and out of the way like Chainat have received the oxygen of Truesport publicity. Covering all three hundred and six games live to a national audience gives plenty of air time for benches packed with politicians, sponsors and the odd football player to knot their brown in faux photo friendly concern. Added to the beaming of party political football into front rooms and road side food stalls, cheap flights from the recently renovated Don Muang airport have brought provinces perceptively closer for fans. A journey to Chiang Rai is only one hour; it’s the same for Buriram and Phuket only takes twenty minutes more. In gridlocked Bangkok, these are times it can take to travel ten kilometres or less.

can pull in far bigger numbers. Last week newly promoted Suphanburi attracted sixteen thousand fans whilst BBCU famously had 235 fans rattling around the cavernous 65,000 capacity Rajamangala Stadium for one Thai Premier League game last season, giving each fan (startlingly, many of whom hadn’t even paid) the chance to stretch out across 277 seats each. Like any large city, Bangkokians do not always feel an evangelical zeal about promoting the “City Of Angels” to others, often taking a diffident attitude to the Big Mango. It’s far easier for provincial clubs to tap into a sense of pride and belonging, a determination to raise the profile of the area in the world of football as a way of getting their voices heard. Trucks and cars with stickers of the club logo are a common sight in provinces like Chiang Rai and every tuck tuck in Suphanburi has the club logo dominating its roof.

A key benefit for provincial clubs is their monopoly on fans. Capital Clubs like TOT and Bangkok United attract small crowds, This national network also spreads the but Chiang Rai, Chainat and even regional base of risk in a league growing at such breakneck speed. Whilst there are localised league division 2 clubs like Chiang Mai

worries about political and “third hand” influences in certain clubs, by creating a truly Thai Premier League, those individual issues like the long running sore of Sisaket, will be less prone to cause contagion. This is likely to develop as Phuket have been massively invested in to reach the TPL, a market not only highly lucrative but also, unusually in Thailand, home to plenty of foreign potential fans. How these provincial clubs are being catapulted to the golden arena of the TPL does not always stand up to much scrutiny, but surveying the other South East Asian league shows that there is far worse on show elsewhere. Images of Vietnamese club presidents being led away in handcuffs, parallel FA set ups in Indonesia and fan apathy in Singapore have much more potential for harm than government budgets being diverted into the game. Now; if only the national team could start winning...

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June 2013

SPECIAL GUESTS

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 (Shearer) 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.

divisions were restructured (after Paul had left). 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 (he was given the task of man-marking World Footballer of the Year Ruud Gullit).

for children which attracts as many as 3,000 participants each year. 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 FOX (then ESPN) STAR Sports massively popular English Premier League coverage. As the success Failing to make a first-team breakthrough, Paul moved to Singapore in 1998 to play of the league has grown in Asia so Paul’s for Jurong FC, Clementi Khalsa FC (in in 1992 he moved Cheltenham Town popularity has risen due to his animated 1999) and Tanjong Pagar United FC in the and then to Exeter City where he played and informative style. He is now much in S-League before injury forced him to retire a single game. Paul then moved onto demand for media related activities and Stockport County where he played 7 from football. He then decided to put his has hosted or MC’d numerous football vast knowledge of football to good use by games. Doncaster Rovers beckoned events in Bangkok for the BCCT. He has coaching the next generation of footballers where Paul played 9 first-team games. supported the Bangkok Masters for the in Singapore and Malaysia through his Strangely, in 1992 Birmingham became last nine years as a player, All Star team own company Little League Soccer (www. the first team to be promoted from supremo and after dinner raconteur. Division Three to Division One as the littleleaguesoccer.com), a coaching school

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June 2013

SPECIAL GUESTS

ANDREW LECI

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

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 known to don the goalkeeper’s gloves in times of hardship, approaching apocalypse or with sufficient liquid inducement. This will be his 6th 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. His reputation for inspiring his colleagues to feats of derring-do and other acts of utter stupidity could be crucial this year.

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June 2013

SPECIAL GUESTS

PJ ROBERTS

aul “PJ” Roberts is a former Australian footballer and is currently a TV pundit with FOX 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

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June 2013

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 made his first appearance at the 2009 Bangkok Masters and scored the winning penalty that gave the All Stars their first Veterans Cup title since 2005. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah …………. No!

2012 TOURNAMENT HIGHLIGHTS

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June 2013

It’s a long way from the Recreation Ground

to Wembley Stadium By Roger Crutchley

hilst indulging in some springRoberston, Greaves, Allen, Gilzean, Jones. cleaning recently I came across The respective managers were also two a handful of ancient football familiar names from the past, Tommy programmes which had somehow followed Docherty and Bill Nicholson. me to Thailand from the days in the mid1960s when I was a student in London. That’s a handy forward line that Spurs Most of the programmes are from Chelsea, fielded. However, Chelsea were in who I used to watch quite regularly as sparkling form and treated the 51,000 Stamford Bridge was the nearest stadium. crowd to a 3-1 victory with goals from Bridges, Venables and Tambling. I am not a collector of programmes, but these just happen to be the few I Bobby Tambling of course has been in the didn’t leave on the bus or train, or throw news lately with Frank Lampard chasing away after the game. I always bought a and then overcoming what was Tambling’s programme as it gave me bit of a buzz. all-time record at Chelsea of 202 goals. Attending a match wasn’t complete until, Chelsea were top of the league, but particularly in the case of my home team Manchester United went on to take the Reading, I had read the manager’s notes 1965 title on goal difference from Leeds trying to explain away the previous week’s United, with the Blues finishing third. defeat. A year later and another Stamford Bridge Brushing off the dust, I was greeted by programme, now up to one shilling _ May Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur, March 10, 11, 1966, Chelsea v Barcelona in the semi1965. The programme cost sixpence. The final second leg of the Inter Cities Fair Cup. first thing I looked at were the teams and The Chelsea team was much the same, with they were quite useful line-ups. They are the additions of Eddie McCreadie, Peter in the old 5-3-2 formation of the time with Osgood and Charlie Cooke _ some names such quaint positions as right half and to savour for wrinkly Chelsea fans. inside left: It was a bizarre game. Chelsea were 2-0 Chelsea: Bonetti, Hinton, Harris, Hollins, down from the first leg and managed to Mortimore, Boyle, Murray, Graham, erase the deficit thanks to two Barcelona Bridges, Venables (capt), Tambling. own goals. However, in the playoff they Tottenham: Brown W, Knowles, Henry were hammered 5-0. (capt), Mullery, Brown L, Clayton,

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June 2013

Speaking of a hammering, my flat-mate at the time was an avid West Ham supporter, so I was frequently dragged along to Upton Park. The sole West Ham programme I still possess is for the match against Everton, February 13, 1965. The Hammers were an entertaining side and their line-up read: Standen, Bond, Peters, Bovington, Brown, Moore (capt), Sealey, Boyce, Byrne , Hurst, Sissons. It is probably redundant to mention that three of those players were to become England heroes at Wembley a year later. It was at that time that Harry Redknapp joined the Hammers as a midfielder. What he lacked in skill he made up for in effort and I can still picture him belting up and down Upton Park. Harry is the first to admit he was not the most gifted player. He once commented: ‘’Even when we had Moore, Hurst and Peters, West Ham’s average finish was about 17th. Which shows how crap the other eight of us were.’’ The oldest programme I still possess is the England v Rest of the World match at ‘Wembley Empire Stadium’ as it was then called, on October 23, 1963. The match marked the 100th anniversary of the Football Association. The programme cost one shilling, but it was worth it just to read the names of the players, again 5-3-2:

England: Banks, Armfield (capt), Wilson, Milne, Norman, Moore, Paine, Greaves, Smith, Eastham, R. Charlton.

players it cost the grand sum of seven and sixpence. Pre-match entertainment came from the Massed Bands of the Grenadier Guards and the Coldstream Guards.

a Tottenham player should be so revered by Coventry begs an explanation. It’s a reference to the 1987 Cup Final between Coventry and Tottenham when Coventry The Rest of the World side was also grabbed a dramatic extra-time victory something special: Yashin (USSR), Santos The late 1980s saw the emergence of courtesy of a Mabbutt own goal when a (Bra), Popluhar (Czech), Schnellinger (WG), fanzines, as many fans felt the traditional cross deflected off his knee into the net. Pluskal (Czech), Masopust (Czech), Kopa programmes were too tame and didn’t Mabbutt says that to this day Coventry (Fra), D. Law (Sco), Di Stefano (Spa ,Capt), really reflect the reality of the club news. fans approach him and ask to photograph Eusebio (Port), Gento (Spa). They varied in quality _ some were rubbish, his knee or even kiss it. but others like When Saturday Comes, were The game, which England won 2-1, wasn’t quite decent. But back to those old programmes. that great, but it was just a privilege to see Unfortunately the one I treasured most I so many legends on the field at the same For many, the most entertaining part lost. It was from the very first professional time. Paine put England ahead, but Denis of fanzines were the titles, such as Cod football match my father took me to see Almighty at Grimsby and Newcastle’s Once Law, who was European Footballer of the between Aldershot reserves and Cardiff Year, equalized and Greaves hit a 90th Upon a Tyne. One of the most famous City reserves at the Recreation Ground in was Brian Moore’s Head (Looks Uncannily minute winner. what must have been about 1955. Like London Planetarium) at Gillingham, The Rest of the World side were allowed five a tribute to the late football commentator The flimsy programme was just substitutions so we also had the pleasure who was a Gills supporter. four pages and cost tuppence. The of watching the great Hungarian, Ference attendance would have been something Puskas, arguably the best player of his Some reflected club heroes, as in A Load like 250, but that didn’t matter. It was generation. Of Bull at Wolves, a reference to ace striker my introduction to the ‘Big Time’. Little Steven Bull, and Nottingham Forest’s The did I know that in a few years I would be The advertisements in the programme Almighty Brian, and we all know to whom watching England take on the Rest of were not very PC _ mainly beer (A Double that is a reference. the World at Wembley in front of 100,000 Diamond Works Wonders), gin and fans. cigarettes (Woodbine in ‘’the modern crush- Some titles came from actual incidents proof pack’’ at 3/5 for 20.) There was also in a game. The most famous of these was an ad for Bovril, claiming most professional probably And Smith Must Score, from the footballers drank it daily, ‘’keeping them at 1983 Wembley Cup Final between Brighton the top of their form.’’ and Man U. Alas, Smith didn’t score. I still have the ticket stub for that match and Arguably the most cryptic was Coventry for the pleasure of watching those great City’s Gary Mabbutt’s Knee. To explain why

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June 2013

DO THE BORING THINGS WELL By Steve Darby

am writing this article in Imphal, Manipur in North East India working with their elite youth Football squad, an initiative by the State government. It illustrates to me that the same principles of the game of football apply to Imphal, The Thailand National Team who I coached for three years and even to the Bangkok Masters! However, the lectures I was to deliver on Diet and Nutrition went out of the window when “Tiffin” was served, which consisted of sugar drenched tea and two pieces of dry bread! So complex carbohydrates and whole meal pasta didn’t really translate well. You just can’t demand an extensive diet when there is just no money for it. However, I think any advice on diet and nutrition may also go ignored by the participants in the Masters! Though beer is a carbohydrate isn’t it? If a player, and in turn a team, applies the following principles to their game, then the chances of winning will improve and from my observations of the Masters (despite what they say) winning is very important! Even if it is an excuse to drink more.

DEFENDING Close the man with the ball down: All players can be stars if they have space and time. If the nearest player to the ball closed down his opponent with the ball then this space and time will disappear. Don’t dive in, slow the opponent down. E.g. Baresi Make the player pass backwards (you can’t stop that): The aim of passing the ball is to pass the ball forward towards your opponents goal, the final forward pass being a shot at goal. If you can make your opponent pass the ball backwards you will reduce the odds of a shot and also buy time for recovering defenders. Eg Makalele Track your player do not ball watch: A good defender watches both the ball and his nearest opponent. So many goals are scored by players getting in behind defences unmarked, great defenders have heads like the girl in the Exorcist, they can see everything. E.g Ferdinand Organise at set pieces, take responsibility: 35-40% of goals comes from set pieces, Free Kicks, corners and even throw ins. If at set pieces a defender takes responsibility and gets in the right place and does his job then this scoring percentage will drop.

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June 2013

Goalkeepers are vital in this; they can see everything and must communicate to their defence. Schmeichel No stupid fouls, right place and right occasion: There is nothing better than really clattering someone, especially if he has just nutmegged you! But the reality in modern football is that teams can’t afford to be a man down due to a red card or give away free kicks in areas that are dangerous. If you must foul, do it a long way from your goal and when it is of use to you i.e. when the team needs a rest or to stop a breakaway. Keep ball out of our penalty box (85-90% of goals scored in the box): 85-90% are goals are scored in the penalty box, and usually the goals of the season come from

the 10% the 30-yard screamer. So we don’t realise this essential statistic. So stop the ball getting into your box and restrict the opposition to long range shots that are usually saved and more often go over the bar, Block crosses: It is so easy for a wide defender to be lazy and allow a forward to get a cross in. Goals come from crosses, close the wide men down and stop that cross. It’s an unseen skill but so important. Football is a game of opposites. What defenders do is usually the exact opposite of what attackers want to do. ATTACKING Get the ball into the penalty box as soon as you can: 85-90% goals come from inside the penalty box and the lower the level of football the technique of the player reduces the chance of the 30 yard screamer going in. In fact it usually goes over the bar. So work hard to get in the box. Also defenders behave differently once you start to dribble in the box. Get as many players in the penalty box as we can: So if goals are more likely to be scored in the box then teams must “bust

a gut” to get players in the box to increase the chances of scoring. Eg Gerrard

is guaranteed possession. Don’t throw square as well, it is so easy to steal.

Receive the ball when you can see the opponent’s goal (side on): Sadly for some players at the Masters this skill will be either too late or impossible to do. Watch the great players especially strikers who when they get the ball they are in a position to have a shot with one touch. E.g. Batistuta

Shoot at every opportunity “hit the target” Three things happen when you shoot. It’s *&^% if you miss the target, its hard luck if the keeper saves it or it hits the woodwork and bounces back in play and its great when you score. Make sure you do the latter and hit the target. The lower you go keepers make more mistakes so hit the target.

Keep the ball moving, passing or dribbling: If you are not sure what this means then watch Barcelona and in specific Messi! They keep the ball moving through passing and when Messi dribbles he never stops the ball dead, it makes life for the opposition more difficult. Also it reduces the chances of being fouled. Quality delivery at all set pieces: If you get set pieces and you will. Maximise the delivery. Be selfish get the best technician on the ball, e.g. Messi, Ronaldo, Leighton Baines. It is worth a great delivery especially for the 6 foot 5 inch centre half who has run all the way up the pitch for the free kick. Keep ball at throw ins, throw down line, never square: There are many throw ins in the game at every level. Dont waste what

Watch the ball hit your foot, don’t look at the goal: Watch what happens when Tendulkar hits a 4 and Tiger drives, they watch the ball hit the bat or club. The same applies in football. Watch Rooney’s great overhead kick, his eyes are on the ball. Watch the ball hit your foot and the chances of being on target are higher. The ball goes where your head goes, that’s why so many shots go over the bar. The goal never moves. Football is not Chess, so you can’t cater for some magic! Or stop the fact that maybe you can’t run anymore! But after your game, re think these principles over a beer and see how many you applied, or if you lost, didn’t apply! Enjoy the arguments and the game.

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June 2013

DEAN BARRICK

ean Barrick was born on 30 September 1969 in Hemsworth, Yorkshire. A left-back, he started his career in the top flight Division 1 with Sheffield Wednesday making 11 first-team appearances between 1988 and 1991. He scored two goals, the first against Newcastle United with his first touch in professional football and the second a cracker against Liverpool. Both goals are on YouTube. In 1991 he moved to Rotherham United to get first team football and clocked up 99 first-team games in the renamed Division 2 from 1991 to 1993 scoring seven goals. Next stop was Cambridge United and 91 games with three goals between 1993 and 1995. In 1995 the delights of Preston beckoned and Dean played 109 games for North End from 1995 to 1998 achieving promotion from Division 3 as champions in his first season. In the summer of 1998 he moved to Bury on a free transfer and clocked up a further 47 appearances and two loan spells at Ayr United and Doncaster Rovers. He joined the latter on a two year deal in February 2001 playing 51 games in the Conference League. Under manager Dave Penney the club returned to the fourth tier (ie Division Three) after winning the 2003 Conference Play-Off final. After a brief spell on loan at Hereford United he joined Nuneaton Borough in 2003 and then Hucknall Town. As a manager he took Hucknall Town to the 2005 FA Trophy final. He is now head of physical education at The Regents School in Pattaya and regularly turns out for the Sunbelt United teams in the Bangkok Masters.

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June 2013

TEAM PLAYERS

DEZ CORKHILL

TEAM PLAYERS

ow resident in Kuala Lumpur as Managing Editor, Content Creation at 801 astro ARENA, Dez was previously Director of Content at FOX Sports Asia in Singapore from 2000 to 2010. He was born in Liverpool 49 years ago and studied Modern History at the University of Dundee. He played semi-pro in the Welsh League and Scottish Junior Football many moons ago until his career in Sports Broadcasting took over. Dez is a goalkeeper although he has aspirations further upfield. He insists that he is a top-class centre forward. His brief goal-scoring exploits in a cameo for the BCCT team at the 2006 Bangkok Masters spring to mind. However, it is between the sticks that he his best known for the Etihad All Stars in 2005 and 2006 and more recently for Team Bondi.

DARREN JACKSON

TEAM PLAYERS

entre-back Darren joined Oxford United as a youth trainee in 1989. After 14 games and a further 5 for Reading he was released in the summer of 1994 and joined non-league Bath City. After 9 games he received an offer from Hong Kong side Singtoa Sports. After a successful career in Hong Kong Darren came to Thailand and in 1998 founded the Can U Kick It Soccer Academy (http:// wwwcanukickit.net). The academy is aimed at bringing football to kids aged 4-16 years of age as an after school activity in schools and at weekends. Darren has also represented his country at Under 21 level and holds an F.A. Coaching License.

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June 2013

Brad Maloney

rad was born in 1972 and played for several Australian National Soccer League clubs, including Marconi Fairfield, Perth Glory and Newcastle Breakers. He won the prestigious Johnny Warren Medal for player of the year in NSL season 1998/99. In season 1999/2000, it was Brad’s growing reputation as the most prolific goal-scoring midfielder in the league that prompted Perth Glory to pay an Australian record domestic transfer fee of A$120,000 to secure his services from Marconi. This transfer fee still stands as an Australian record today. Brad also played six games for the Socceroos, scoring twice, and represented Australia at under 20 and under 23 levels. He is also an Australian Institute of Sport scholarship holder. In November 2009, the Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) established the PFA Player Management Agency in response to an overwhelming demand by Australia’s elite professional footballers. Brad was appointed to drive the development of the agency. As a former international player, experienced businessman, A-licensed coach and PFA Life Member, Brad has a deep understanding of the game. Brad was great mates with Socceroo Hall of Famer, the late Ian “Iggy” Gray. Following Iggy’s tragic passing in 2010, Brad took over as the coach of a collective known as Team Bondi. Brad and Iggy were former team mates at Marconi in the National Soccer League. Team Bondi’s success at sevens’ tournaments in Asia has been amazing - multiple winners in Manila and Phuket, and champions six years in a row in Bangkok.

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June 2013

TEAM PLAYERS

ROBERT ZABICA

ne of Western Australia’s greatest ever homegrown talents, Robbie played twenty-seven times for Australia in a glittering senior career. He graduated from juniors to first team football with Spearwood Dalmatinac before playing almost every game for Cockburn United during three seasons at the Division Two club. He spent the winter of 1987 with top flight outfit Stirling Macedonia, that year’s First Division champions, before embarking on a lengthy spell in the national league. Robbie stepped up to the next level with Adelaide City, where in seven seasons he experienced many highs and lows. He made a National Soccer League record 170 consecutive appearances from February 1988 to October 1993. He collected a Cup winners medal in 1989, and at the end of 1991/92 was named Goalkeeper of the Year for the role he played in Adelaide winning the league and Cup double. In February 1990 Robbie made his first appearance for Australia in a ‘B’ fixture with Russian club Moscow Torpedo. His senior international debut arrived in August in a 3-0 Merlion Cup final victory over Indonesia and a few weeks later he lined-up twice against South Korea in friendlies. 1991 opened with further Socceroos honours against Czechoslavakia followed later in the year by appearances against New Zealand, England and South Korea. Now established as one of Australia’s premier ‘keeper’s, Robbie played all three games of the friendly series with Sweden at the start of 1992 and in friendlies against the United States of America, Argentina and a three game series with Croatia. The year ended with a trio of World Cup qualifiers against Oceania minnows the Soloman Islands and Tahiti. As Australia’s campaign to qualify for the 1994 World Cup Finals in the United States gathered momentum Robbie played twice against Kuwait and was then recalled for July’s play-offs with Canada but lasted only 17 minutes before being sent off in the first of the two-game series. Robbie played in November 1993 when an Alex Tobin own goal in Buenos Aires sent Argentina through to the World Cup Finals at Australia’s expense.

a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament while playing against Japan.

Robbie was at his best in the winter of 1995, making his State team debut against West Ham United before picking up a Cup winners medal and Goalkeeper of the Year trophy as a Spearwood Dalmatinac player. In March 1997 he joined Perth Glory after Returning to club football he played which he spent seven injury-interrupted an integral part in Adelaide winning months with Bradford City in English First the 1993/4 NSL Grand Final against Melbourne Croatia. But his career came to Division. He returned to Perth in 1998 to a halt three weeks later when he suffered see out his playing days with Bayswater

City, Inglewood United and Fremantle City, winning another three Goalkeeper of the Year awards along the way. In 2012 Robbie was inducted in to the Western Australia Football Hall of Legends after having been inducted to the Hall of Champions in 2008. He was also inducted in to the Football Federation Hall of Fame in 2006. He regularly turns out for the WA Majestic 7s in the Bangkok Masters often as an outfield player!

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June 2013

Memories of Sir Alex By Derek Currie

here was a familiar face sitting behind me for the Danish National team pre-match press conference prior to their 1992 Euro Championship final against Germany in Gothenburg. The Danes who came into the tournament as a last minute replacement for Yugoslavia were on a fairy tale venture that only Hans Christian Anderson could have written about. Indeed it was shades of déjà vu as only nine years previous, the face behind had taken Aberdeen to the same city and beaten the mighty Real Madrid by two goals to one to prove, not only fairy tales, but dreams can come true. As the press conference came to an end, I asked him. ‘What are you doing here?.”

used to do the after-dinner circuit with. ‘Good,” I told him. There was one occasion I recall when both of them had finished such an engagement and decided to have a brief nightcap in a pub, just off Bridgeston Cross. The establishment was in the blue part of Glasgow and although both my brother and Fergie grew up supporting Rangers, the multitude in the pub took offence they both had married a couple of catholic lasses and words ensued. My older brother never walked away from a fight, not when you have won back-to-back ABA titles and a Commonwealth Gold Medal. However, during a visit to HongKong by Fergie when I recounted that story to him, he told me he said to Dick that night, two against eight were not good odds!

“I’m here to get tickets from big Peter (Schmeichel) for the game.”

I used to go and watch Fergie when he played for Rangers at Ibrox and a damned good striker he was. He only lasted two Fergie then proceeded to tell me he had just been to the Glasgow Rangers reunion seasons there and was blamed for a goal in the Scottish Cup final in 1969 against and been with my middle brother John, arch-rivals, Celtic, who Rangers lost to in who also had a spell at the Ibrox club. that match. He was made the scapegoat for ‘It was a great night, and how’s Dick?.” the defeat. The Ox Bow incident springs to Referring to my older brother who Fergie mind, when they hung the wrong man in

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June 2013

the book and movie of the same name. In those days Rangers might have been a proud club, but those who managed and powers of authority were stubborn and Spartan. It was often said at that time it was harder to get out off the first team, than break into it from the reserves, but they made an exception for Fergie. On the lighter side of things, Fergie used to attend a lot of quiz nights and his party piece was that he could remember every actor and the parts they portrayed in that classic old original movie, Twelve Angry Men. During his trip to Hong Kong with Man United 8 years ago I spent a half-hour with him at the Grand Hyatt shortly before he went off training with the team. The talk took us back to a match at the Neza Stadium in the suburbs of Mexico City where Scotland played their last group game against Uruguay in the 1986 World Cup finals. Scotland had to win to go through to the next round. The Uruguyans had a player sent-off in the opening minutes and indeed for the rest off the game kicked and pushed off the ball and

time wasted to the tune that the game actually only lasted 60 minutes in actual playing time. Fergie was manager of Scotland and I recalled to him how he walked in to the post match press conference and spent less than a minute in attendance saying he would not waste any time discussing anything to do with a side he called an utter disgrace to football, and charged off the stage. He mentioned, I was upset with them, but briefly lapsed into “ I never wanted the Scotland job, I did not want to leave Aberdeen, I wanted to stay with the club. “I had to take the job for the sake of Big Jock and had to carry on what he had started for Scotland. “I would never have left Aberdeen under any other circumstances.” Of course he was referring to Jock Stein, who had died of a heart attack during Scotland’s last World Cup qualifying game against Wales in the dug-out at Ninian Park. Stein, who guided Celtic to become the British club to win the European Cup in 1967 had been like a mentor to Ferguson. When Alex was just plain old Alex before

the title, he did amazing things for the ‘Dons’ and broke the stranglehold of the old firm of Rangers and Celtic and would have won many more things had he stayed with Aberdeen, however he was destined for much greater things and I don’t mean increasing match durations from ninety to ninety five minutes with the infamous ‘Fergie watch’. There have been great Scots-born managers, Shankly, Stein, Busby and Ferguson and Fergie would be honoured just to be in their company, but in racing terms, he’s probably a couple of lengths ahead of them. I’m sure he’ll spend more time watching the nags and the last time I met him was coming out of the paddock at Newmarket last summer with Mick Channon. He loves the horses and has owned some very successful one’s, Rock of Gibralter springs to mind and there now might be a few more coming to hand. Like Fergie, I’ve also owned horses, not quite as many, two. The second was the aptly named, Glasgow Kiss, and yes, it did win by a head at Shatin some years back!

better than this one…. It concerns the dear departed Alan Ball and Peter Marinello while they were players at Arsenal. They bought a horse and called it Go Go Gunner. Despite a set-back of not backing it each-way when it ran second at 20/1 on its second outing, they put the experience down to water under the bridge and persevered with the horse. Thy were hopeful that it would run well one evening at Windsor, but heavy showers changed the going to soft and the pair were told Go Go Gunner would not like the underfoot conditions. So Bally and Marinello backed the second favourite instead. Lo and behold the mighty Go Go Gunner defied the elements and ploughed through the soft track to win by half-a-length. To make matters worse, Ball and Marinello had to borrow 20 quid from a friendly bookmaker to pay for the petrol home! Somehow I don’t think Fergie would have fallen for that one.

Fergie likes an old punting tale and no

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June 2013

Sir Alex - The Legend By Paul Masefield

doubt very much that, like me, you all had no idea on what happened or what was about to happen the other day.

of years, he took the opportunity to take on what was then considered the poison chalice of jobs which was in November 1986.

Sir Alex Ferguson shocked the footballing world by announcing his retirement from Manchester United as the most successful manager that has ever walked the planet.

A club that has had some of the biggest names around took a chance on Sir Alex and even he admitted that he couldn’t turn down the chance to manage 1 of the biggest clubs in the world.

An unbelievable 38 trophies in 26 years at one club will never ever be beaten in the future. At a time when the game is all geared around results and managers come and go at the loss of a game, Manchester United have shown great faith in sticking with the man that they almost got rid of at the beginning of this man’s tenure. Lets go back to the start when he was announced as the manager of Manchester United much to the bemusement of the fans. He had had a successful career to date with Aberdeen winning the cup winners cup with them beating the mighty Real Madrid 2–1 in 1983. This was a huge achievement considering that the small Scottish club had never really done anything until Sir Alex had joined the club as the manager. After staying with Aberdeen and helping the Scottish National team for a couple

In his 1st season at the club, he moved them up to 11th in the table and a section of fans were already wondering if the club had made the right decision in appointing the Scot. It was clear to see by the signings that he made in preparation for the next season that he was serious about getting the job done. Viv Anderson, Steve Bruce and Brian McClair all joined and they helped United to finish 2nd in the league 9 points behind Liverpool. It was the 1989 – 90 season when things started to click for him. They had been on a terrible run in December of this campaign and the fans again were getting very vocal about the lack of success and were looking for board at Manchester United to sack Sir Alex. He had meetings with the board and they assured him that his job was safe, but with the 3rd round FA cup tie looming

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June 2013

against Nottingham Forest, things still looked shaky for Sir Alex. It was only when Mark Robins scored to give United a 1 – 0 away win and United went on to lift the trophy that season that Sir Alex could really start to build his team, his way. The Cup Winners Cup followed the season after and then the following year it was time for Sir Alex and his side to dominate the Premier League. 13 league titles from one individual is an unbelievable achievement. The way that he managed to remain so successful for all these years which includes the transition of teams throughout his tenure is remarkable. The way he deals and has dealt with players in the past leaves you in no uncertain terms that he is the ‘BOSS’. There are 2 major landmarks which encompasses his career at United and they are both European Champions League nights. I personally think that the 2nd win against Chelsea was more important for Sir Alex as he managed to win that competition for the 2nd time. However it will be the 1st Champions League trophy that will live long in the legacy that he leaves behind. 1 – 0 down at the Nou Camp v a dominant Bayern and 2 late goals in

the last 4 minutes helped united to an unprecedented treble that I believe an English club will never again achieve. That was the years of the ‘Fergie Kids’, Beckham, Neville, Scholes, Giggs etc that all came through together and showed that Sir Alex knew how to move with the times. There are so many stories that you could tell about Sir Alex , his rants and raves, his mind games, his hair dryer treatment, but rather than touch on those I thought I would look back on what he achieved and what for me was his best ever 11 that he signed, bought through or played for him at Manchester united.

Its not as easy as you think, you try it and I’m sure that there will many many different teams picked by everyone but for me, the best 11 that he ever had looked like what I have picked. No Beckham, no Andy Cole, no Robson, no Ferdinand but if you could have got the group of players above together then I’m sure they would have won more than they lost. Back to Sir Alex though and what more can you say about a man that has done it all, seen it all and won all there is to win as a domestic manager. He will be sorely

Peter Schmeichel Gary Neville

Steve Bruce

Paul McGrath

Dennis Irwin

Ronaldo

Roy Keane

Paul Scholes

Ryan Giggs

Eric Cantona Ruud Van Nilstrooy

missed that is for sure, but he will always be there as an ambassador and a director of the club. The one story that I must leave you with is one that shows how much he is respected with in the club. Like I said before there are so many stories but this 1 contains his staff at the training ground. Everyone knows that Sir Alex knows every member of staff at the club from the players to the cleaning ladies and after hearing this story you can only believe what has been said about Sir Alex in the past. Sir Alex went into the training ground as usual at 7am the day after United had won their last league title (only a few weeks ago). He went to the canteen and asked 1 of the tea ladies if they could make him a cup of tea. The reply came back from the tea lady ‘just because you’ve won the league you expect me to make a cup of tea for you, make your own’. Apparently everyone fell about laughing when this was said including Sir Alex. It just goes to prove that from top to bottom with in the football club that everyone revered him. The game and his beloved Manchester United will be a sadder place without him.

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June 2013

Team Profiles

Bangkok Veterans Football League Bangkok Veterans in action against Kaya Kayakers at Swiss School • 24/Mar/2013 • Bangkok Standing: Martin, Sebastien, Matt, Matt, Preben, Alen, Guy, Preecha, Anthony, Horst, Jack Front: Eralp, Keith, Yilmaz, Suradej, Nartplin, Ronny, Darren

angkok Veterans are delighted to have received an invitation from BCCT for the Tesco-Lotus Bangkok Masters, and proud to represent the lighter side of football in this tournament. Bangkok Veterans hail from the little-known league in Bangkok called the Veterans League. It is league of football-hungry but very-slow and fast-aging Over-35 youngsters, from all corners of the world and all walks of life, played in the true spirit of friendship and the love of the game.

Following years of running the ball in many leagues in Bangkok, some of us thought it was not really possible to keep up with the young-blood filling up the ranks of the newly emerging teams, and so the result is this new outlet for the Veteran footballers in Bangkok since Feb/2005, specifically welcoming those of us who are looking for the lighter side of the game among peers (who don’t run circles around us!). We get together once-a-month, kick the ball around in a very social and friendly atmosphere for about half-a-day, and have a well-deserved party at the end of the day with beers and trophies and laughs. Best of it all, we are always on the lookout for new teams and players to join in. So, come and find us at http://www. bangkokvets.com/, we will be happy to organize a friendly match immediately. We wish all teams and spectators a memorable tournament, and express our sincere thanks to the organizers for putting on a spectacular show of “older age” football. If invited next year, we already pre-accept the invitation :) Remember, if it’s 1st Sunday, it’s Vets day!

to play (and score) away from home. Not much to say really so we’ll rely on a few memorable quotes: We’ll follow the Phil Woosnam (ex Welsh player and manager) footballing philosophy ‘the rules of football are very simple, basically it is this: if it moves, kick it. If it doesn’t move, kick it until it does’. We will take Mark Viduka’s advice and ‘won’t be bothered if we lose every game as long as we win the league’. When making substitutions we’ll take note of Andy Gray who ‘doesn’t like to see players tossed off needlessly’.

Island Old Boys A

pologies for not providing a more recent team photo, which was taken a few years ago when we used to play football.

Island old boys have formed this year through a common desire

Hopefully our mercurial midfielders will emulate Ardiles, who, according to Jimmy Magee, ‘strokes the ball like it is part of his own anatomy’ and Glenn Hoddle, as Jasper Carrott comments, ‘I hear Glenn Hoddle has found God, that must have been one hell of a pass’. Finally we will remember the sage advice of Vinny Jones that ‘Winning doesn't really matter as long as you win’.

he Nichada Panthers Football club (NPFC) is based in the expat community of Nichada Thani in North Bangkok. Our home field is located at the International School of Bangkok (ISB), also located in Nichada. We have been playing friendly matches at ISB on Sundays for many years, and the club recently started more competitive weekly matches, entering competitions and entering BCCT-TESCO 7s for the first time. https://www.facebook.com/ groups/NichadaAdultSoccer/

Nichada Panthers Football club (NPFC) 40

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June 2013

Team Profiles

his photo was taken in year 2011 tournament and we still have practically the same players who will be playing in this year’s tournament. Our first time participating in this tournament was in year 2009 and this will be our third entry as we missed out on year 2010 and 2012. Half of the team has already hit 60 and we have yet to win any of the numerous tournaments that we have participated in but for us, that is a no issue as we are here to enjoy the game and meet old and also new found friends. But should we do well in the 50+ category, it would be a great bonus and also an excuse to party the night away.

Port Rangers

Let us all have a great time in Bangkok and also show them young ones what half a century footballers can do albeit slower.

Football Club, Malaysia

The Secretary Port Rangers Football Club, Klang, Selangor, Malaysia.

As you may or may not know already, we, the Rawai, Phuket team lost an important and integral member of our team shortly after last years tournament our goalkeeper and resident expert on all things Leo Beer, James ‘Shaggy’ Lakin. Most years were all about James anyway so this year won’t be any different. We enter this years tournament with heavy hearts but with a job to do for our mate, our first win in five years is our target and anything above beyond that would be a bonus. This is our fifth team name in five years and hopefully our last. We are all looking forward to this years tournament and we would like to wish all the other teams as little luck as possible.

Shaggy 3674 FC We are a mix of the old boys (some really old ;) from previous years, and a few new younger faces. One returning strategy will be to feed Dean Barrick as many Sambooka’s as possible on the Saturday eve, to see if he can surpass his monster performance on the Sunday of last year. We also opted for a bigger squad this year, knowing the close proximity to cowboy, will prove a bigger pull than the football for some. No tears please, but one notable absence from SAU will be the bald, “chunky”, and slightly obnoxious Scan (or German as we know him to be) who is on a slimming & anger management sabbatical, while on assignment in the Fatherland. No prizes for guessing his name!

Sunbelt Asia United (O-35’s & O-40’s) B

angkok’s Sunbelt Asia Utd returns again this year to the BCCT tournament as reigning champs of both age categories in 2012, so we are looking to defend the titles and achieve three years in a row in the 35’s.

Sad to hear the All-Stars will not participate this year, as they were definitely one of the draws of this great tournament. However, there are still many local and overseas adversaries that will make it very interesting. Looking forward to meeting old and new friends, like “Tommy the tooth” who is rumored to be bringing a team from KL. Here’s to another great weekend of football, beer and banter!

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June 2013

Team Profiles

eam Bondi from Sydney return to the BCCT 7’s tournament and look forward to a wonderful week end of competition.

The Bondi boys have been attending this event since its inception and have been successful in lifting the silverware on several occasions. They are led by former Socceroo, Brad “Bugsy” Maloney and will be competing in the memory of their late team mate and coach, Ian “Iggy” Gray.

Team Bondi – BCCT 7’s 2013

We thank the Committee, volunteers and sponsors for their ongoing support and would like to wish all the other teams an enjoyable and successful tournament.

band of poets, artists and songwriters from the Land of the Blue Dragon who like to contemplate life over alfresco pho and ca phe da as the morning sunlight rises over the fragrant frangipani. Not. A bunch of reasonably capable boozers who fancy their skills at tiki – taka and tend to punch above their height. We were recently spotted by some handy looking talent but they didn’t quite make it into our squad. Many thanks as ever to the organisers for all the selfless hard work involved in putting this great weekend together.

Vietnam All Stars

C&AC Over 35s-40s are the Yokohama Country and Athletic Club’s senior football team. We play almost all of our matches on the Club’s famous old grounds in Yaguchidai, Yokohama Japan and have done so since moving there in 1912, this year being our 100 anniversary at the said location. Our opposition comes largely from the local community, the teams being members in most cases of the Yokohama Football Association, we play friendly’s from October to May, then participate in the Kanagawa Masters over 40’s league through the summer. We also play two historic annual fixtures against the Kobe Regatta & Athletic Club (started 1888) and Tsukuba University (started 1904). For the past 2 years we have been visiting Bangkok to play against various local teams, we are looking forward to competing for the 1st time in this years BCCT-TESCO LOTUS BANGKOK MASTERS FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT and meeting and playing against the other teams from the various regions.

YC&AC

team of players in Bangna area,Bangkok.Team was established in early year of 2000 by gathering people who love soccer together around Bangna area.Joining BCCT Tesco Lotus Tournament last year(2012) and ending tournament in semi-final of Plate division of Over 35 cat. by losing in penalty shootout(2:3). We’ve decided to participate this memorable tournament again this year.

Yoscharoen Honda FC. 44

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June 2013

James ‘Shaggy’ Lakin 1974-2012

adly on the 23rd of June 2012 shortly after last year’s tournament we lost our dear friend and brother James ‘Shaggy’ Lakin who passed away suddenly at home just two weeks after being married. Last year was not only our yearly pilgrimage to play in the tournament but also James’s stag weekend.

James, Shaggy as he was known to his friends was an integral part and founding father of the Rawai Phuket FC team. Over the past 5 years we have played under many different names; Freedom Bar FC, Team Nasty FC, Rawai/Nai Harn FC with James performing a more than admirable job in goal every year considering what talent or lack of he had in front of him. Shaggy was a massive West Bromwich Albion fan who came to Phuket in 2003 we believe to get away from the fact that Wolves had just been promoted that season. He worked at the now legendary Freedom Bar in Rawai for several years endearing him too all who met him with his warm friendly nature and extremely vocal support of all things Baggie. Whether you knew James for 5 minutes or 5 years you knew you’d made a friend for life. Shortly before James passed away he played an integral part in forming the ‘FC Phuket Rawai Supporters Club’ (Mushy Peas) who now have over 500 members who follow Phuket FC from all around the world. A fitting legacy to a man who loved his football. There was absolutely no question what so ever that we would pull out of this year’s tournament, in fact it spurred us onto to make sure we do him proud, we are aiming for our first win in five years, the ideal tribute, easier said than done though. This year we will be known as ‘Shaggy 3674 FC’. This will not be a time for sad reflection but an ideal opportunity for all of us to pay our respects and celebrate the life of a truly great man. James ‘Shaggy’ Lakin. A dearly missed brother and friend. BOING, BOING! W.A.M.P!

BCCT-Tesco Lotus Bangkok Masters Football Tournament Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June 2013