Hello and welcome to the first captain’s log of the 2011-12 season! For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Jonathan (known to most as Jay/Big Gay Bear etc) Evans and I am the current first team captain of Gadeside Rangers Seniors. I have been at the club since I was 15 and have been with the club through its entire journey into senior football, becoming the first team captain in the season 2009-10. I am asked by Adam a few times during the course of the season to write a few words for the website mixing serious topics with some comedy in order to give a players’ perspective of what playing for Gadeside is really like!

Welcomes
First of all I’d like to welcome Darren Hufford as official 2nd XI team manager for the upcoming season. Darren has been affiliated with the club for a number of years now, is a former chairman and even had a short (we won’t talk much about it!) stint as first team manager before Adam took over the reigns. I would also like to welcome all new players who have signed with us for this season; especially those who have joined from the youth team. I am very excited about seeing a lot of the youngsters in the seniors team and am eagerly anticipating what impact they can have in their respective teams this season. It has always been an ambition of Adam and the club to nurture young talent within the club and make sure they progress through into the senior sides so it is extra pleasing to see a large number of you join us in pre-season. I would also like to take this opportunity to say good-bye and good luck to Kevin Putman who after three years at the club has decided to hang up his Sunday League boots and return to Saturdays with Langleybury. “Length” will never be forgotten at the club as whilst being a very talented footballer he was also one of the nicest people you would ever want to meet; however I would add that now Kev has left, we all don’t have to feel inadequate anymore as he lugs his massive “ego” along with him ;-)

Pre-season
Pre-season is a very strange time, especially for an amateur football side like ourselves. We are faced with the increasingly difficult challenge of getting new people in, getting fitness levels up and organising pre-season games combined with holidays and a lack of availability that summer brings. However, I think we would all agree that the pre-season sessions that have been run by Adam and Darren have been enjoyable whilst also physically challenging; a personal highlight for me was watching a hung-over Daniel Bryon putting us to shame with his bleep test score! We have also had some really good results in the pre-season matches; most notably with the 2nd XI’s win over Watford Irish and the narrow defeat of the 1st XI by Bushey.

Belgium
Well what can I say about Belgium; not a lot really as what goes on tour stays on tour ;-). However I can say that a great weekend was had by all and we even managed to come away with the trophy for being winners of the tournament final (no thanks to Spencer or Ryan) on penalties. It was especially good to see some of the players who wouldn’t normally socialise away from football in this environment and I think stands us in good stead for the forthcoming season. I would like to send out a big thank you to Adam for organising the event which in my opinion was a great success. My congratulations go to Belgium Man Of The Year James Bryon. My highlights of the tour included:
- Daniel Everritt and his genius booking of two VIP tables in You Club
- James Bryon and his podium dancing
- Spencer and Fitzy for spending the most time in the after hour clubs (even in the day)
- Michael Ashby acquiring a new team mascot (soon to be attending all Gadeside games)
- Daniel Everritt’s superb left foot goal in the top corner
- Spencer Edwards giving away a penalty in the final (shoulder barge)
- Ryan Marks for his awful penalty (check it out on Facebook) in the shootout
- Tom Oliver for yet another memorable penalty save
- Ben Higginson and his attempt to keep his yard of cider inside of his body (he was unsuccessful)
- And lastly myself for chatting up two (yes two!) men as part of my challenge for the tour!
Roll on Amsterdam 2012?

Future / Expectations
Lastly I would like to talk about what I think the next few months holds for both senior teams starting with the 2nd XI. I think it goes without saying that the 2nd XI should be challenging for the title this year; it was obviously a massive struggle in what was a very competitive division last season and I think being in Division 4 combined with the influx of new, young players will mean that Gadeside will be fancied as one of the promotion contenders. This will clearly depend on the availability of players (something this team has struggled with especially over the last season) however if we all try and be committed as possible then I think promotion and a good cup run will be achievable.

I think it’s going to be an interesting season for the 1st XI. After having initially struggled in the first half of last season I think we really got to grips with the high standards of the premier league and proved to a lot of teams that we won’t be pushovers. We have added some strength in depth (Joe Pizans, Justyn Walcott, Daniel Bryon, Tom Nelmes) however it is still a lack of goals which once again could be our undoing this year. A massive season awaits Tom Mitchell this season, who struggled for goals last year but has really looked like the player he was a few years ago in the recent tour and pre-season games.

Whatever team you are in, remember that it is with pride that we wear the red and black of the mighty G-Side. Adam has put together our code of conduct for a reason and that is to make sure Gadeside players have integrity and can never be accused of bringing the club into disrepute. Please also remember that Darren and Adam don’t get paid for any of the hours and hours work they put into the club so when texts/messages etc get sent out asking for a response or you know that you can’t make a training or match that you let them know, how long does it take to send a text?! Rant over, good luck to both teams in their respective leagues this season, I have a funny feeling it’s going to be a rollercoaster ride!

Yours,
Jay “Skip” Evans