THE OLD HABERDASHERS' Association Football

Report for 1999/2000 Season

O.H.A.F.C. 1st XI
Captain: John Barton

Arthurian League Record - Division 1

P W D L Pos
14 7 2 5 3rd

Following the successful consolidation of our 1st division status in 1999, the 1st XI approached the new season with something that might loosely be described as optimism! A summer spent training in Regent's Park built up our confidence, whilst Alex Mole had even done fitness training, truly a man ahead of his time! Skipper Dickie Barton had once again unearthed new talent and the team stood ready to take on allcomers.

On a glorious day in September, we opened our account with a home win against a strong Harrow team, and expectations rose. From early in the season, Si Morley's promotion to centre-midfield cameo proved inspired as he struck fear into the heart of opposition defences steadily adding to his haul of goals. After Harrow, Witleians and Aldenham were vanquished, and only a defeat to Eton had blemished our record.

Challenging hard for the promotion places, we travelled to Bradfield knowing that they would be strong opposition for promotion at the end of the season. Within a minute Habs. were a goal down, not even having touched the ball, and a fine Bradfield side looked rampant. Habs. however had other ideas, and showing a steel to match our skills, we fought our way back into the game and with our best football of the season routed the home side 5-3. The win was aided by a wonder goal from Sunil Notani, who, in true playground style, spent the next ten minutes telling everyone about "the best goal I have ever scored" while play carried on around him.

The team was brought back to earth with a bang as we crashed out of the Arthur Dunn Cup in the early rounds to Salopians, and failed to make an impact in the L.O.B. Cup. Our poor cup form then carried over into the league as we lost at Harrow before the Xmas break. The New Year saw us struggle to recapture our form, as we decided that the fairest way to play was to gift the opposition 4-0 leads and then start fighting back!

Morale was low as we travelled to Witleians for the away fixture, but a hard fought 2-2 draw seemed to mark an upturn in our fortunes. Both Wykehamists and Aldenham were put to the sword whilst dropped points from Bradfield ensured that we finished the season in 3rd place, an excellent achievement.

Dickie has enhanced his reputation as a fine leader of men to such an extent that we have lost his services to Grasshoppers, but he will be ably replaced by Simon Morley. The emergence of Pete Braddas to a more permanent position, along with some fresh blood from the School taking a more active role and the development of a squad system means that O.H.A.F.C. look to the future with optimism.

Howard Cazin