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The long hot summer passed as we watched in amazement as the contractors laid the new 'state of the art' artificial, playing surface on the Main pitch at the Victoria Stadium.

Late in September it was deemed fit to play on and for the pastsix weeks it has been in almost continuous daily action — it is guaranteed for five years,but there can't be many pitches which get such usage.

In another town the main grass pitch would be reserved for the 'elite' team but here on the Rock it has to meet the needs of the whole community — from Under 10s to over 40s.TTiat's why grass is not an option. But'our'new synthetic sur face is an adequate substitute and looks and plays like grass and is unlikely to suffer from'bald spots'.

It has brought new elementsinto the game of football, which weren't there before — the ball has little bounce and does stop rolling. Pre viously, a ball which eluded the defender could be forgotten; it would simply roll away out of play. Now the defender had better turn and run to cover an opponent — the ball is going to come to rest. It places a greater emphasis on fitness than existed hitherto and all play ers are suffering from tired legs. At the top of'Rock Soc.' where the'Big Six' compete for honours,all man agers/coaches have had to'up'the training to several sessions a week.

A greater than ever demand is placed on players for fitness and ball control,but we have never suf fered a lack of skilful players at the top levels of senior,and junior,foot ball. Coach Paul Holden, now Di rector of Coaching with Crystal Palace and good friend of Gibral tar's football, having served here towards the end of his 22 year

Army career, has always praised Gibraltar's players for their ability to play 'standing on their feet' as against the english way of going to ground. He is involved in the recently set-up Elite Soccer School, a long overdue small step towards establishing 'football coaching'for youngsters on the Rock.On a recent visit he expressed his intention of forming closer links between 'the Palace' and Gibraltar football to enable a conduit for the most prom ising youngsters to sample a pro fessional opportunity. But, as he says, to get a chance in the english professional game you have to of-

Barcelona Veterans side, featuring 'las viejas glorias', who gave pleas ure to a thousand paying custom ers and a lesson to a team styling itself Gibraltar United Veterans.

The local veterans expressed themselves thrilled to have shared a pitch with some footballing leg ends.

The season so far

The GFA Coca Cola First Division features the Big Six of local soccer; Newcastle Utd, Glacis Utd, St Joseph's, Manchester Utd, Gibral tar Utd, Monteverde and Lions PC

At the top of'Rock Soc.' where the 'Big Six' compete for honours, ail managers/ coaches have had to 'up'the training

fer 'more' than exists already in their Football Academies. He also liked the new pitch and said he would bring professionals to play on it.

It is a sad reflection of modem football locally that few spectators, less than a hundred, regularly at tend the Stadium for big matches

— in the 'Glorious Fifties', when football reigned supreme and had little competition, the Stadium could be filled weekly to witness the struggle between the 'Big, and only. Four' — Astoria, Britannia, Prince of Wales and Gibraltar Utd.

One optimist, who never takes 'no'for an answer,Francis Negron, proved a point when he filled the Stadium for the recent visit of a

— and the First Round of matches have yielded six draws to nine wins, five of these against Lions, struggling pointless at the foot of the table.

It was good time for the Coach/ Managers to reflect on how it has gone so far.

Charles Cumbo's reigning cham pions Newcastle just edged the Celecia Trophy by a single point.

"We lost our opening match and changes have been forced on me through injuries to key players.For tunately, I have a very keen squad of young players- some have made the leap into the'bigtime'.Some of their play has been breathtaking. They are all eager to attend train ing sessions and win a place in the

Brian Asquez has returned to football management with Man chester Utd and had high expecta tions after last season's 'almost championship' losing a crucial match in over-time. They suffer from being too bright, several of their leading stars are away at UK universities. "I am not so happy at present; my players have underperformed, conceding points in three drawsin matches they should have won. If they don't do well to day,there'll be changes."They lost from a winning position.

Kevin Eagles is the'eternal opti mist'. He lives football and is dedi cated to Gibraltar Utd(Monteverde this season), who he manages alongside stalwart coach Anthony Sayers."We have lost vital players for crucial matches, but when we are at full strength we are a test for the best. Fitness on this new pitch is essential and my players are hardworking and dedicated to training, whenever we can get al locations. We could have a good season -it's very tight at the top at present."

No one is more dedicated to fit ness than Jerry Aguilera,a midfield dynamo and fit 'bombero'. He would love to be out on the field at the start of every match, and suf fers on the sidelines. "But 1 must have confidence in my younger players to do the job, that's why they are out on the pitch. We can be a match for anyone, it's early days and no club has got away, yet."

Hardly any ofthe lesser clubs are equipped to'gain'promotion to the top Ctivision. The 2nd Division is principally the domain of reserve sides of the 'Big Six'.

One club which is prepared to challenge the 'big boys' is the Li ons FC — founded in 1966!

So far this season they have been beaten by the other Five,but Coach Alex Grech is full of praise for his hard-working players. "They couldn't try harder, the scores are getting closer — a point would be nice, a win better!"

There's all to play for in this sea son's GFA Coca Cola First Division. Go along and enjoy some extremely good football by some very excit ing players.

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