Ed's Eye

2007/8 Preview

For those of you who are not familiar with this column, I have been doing my predictions for a few seasons now. What has been intended as tongue-in-cheek hamless banter has been taken very seriously by some. That's fine so long no-one gets too offended. Incidentally, I have had several managers begging me to take a swipe at their team as a motivational tactic.

I will be refereeing this year and so I was slightly reticent to offer my opinions again this season, but was assured by the Committee that it was OK and they really enjoyed reading it.

I'm really looking forward to the new season with two new clubs entering. I was fortunate enough to referee a fixture between E K Corinthians and Sandwell United and both look quite promising. As WMCFL continues to go from strength to strength I cast my eye over the runners and riders for 2007/8.

Division 1

Amblecote - Finally Amblecote fulfilled their potential and came top last season. Devonport's goals and Dean Russell's addition at goal-keeper made that difference that many clubs are forever looking for. However, Amblecote ended last season by stuttering across the line. Unless they can recapture the form from the beginning of last season then they will be handing it over come next April. There are some tough teams to beat and I believe an improvement in standards this coming season with quite a few pretenders to the title. From what I've heard, complacency has set in and with that attitude back to back Championships is a long shot. Key players: Jadon Silva, Dean Russell, Shawn Devonport - Fourth
Clarendon - Roger's team came quite close to stealing the title at the end of last season; I bet they were disappointed it ended; they were on a run. I find that teams frequently carry their form from the end of the previous year into the start of the next. Clarendon have missed out on the title for the last two years and will be anxious to recapture that consistency that secured three titles in their first three years in WMCFL. Possibly the squad was too big and so players were left out when perhaps they could have been playing, upsetting the rhythm of the side. I really think they will be back with a bang in 07/08 - Key players: Aaron Williamson, Roger Moore, Jason Greene - First

Chawn Hill Church - Chawn lacked a bit of consistency last season and started very poorly. It seemed as though they went through a phase of drawing every match one-one. In fact five of their early matches ended with this score line. If they'd managed to win these games, then Chawn would have been right up there. But they weren't and for a while they seemed as though they'd get bogged down with the group of teams fighting relegation. It's a tough one to call, but I think that Chawn will be above mid-table this season. - Key players: Michael Kain, Curtis Jordan, Lee Bedford, Lee Darlington, but no Paul Taylor they'll miss him - Fifth
St. Mary's - A pleasant surprise to see this club eventually win the Cup this year after toiling in the nether regions of the League for years. St. Mary's have the ability to defeat any team in WMCFL as we saw on their way to the Cup, but can they do it every week? Like the rest of Division One, they also seem able to lose to anyone in the division too. They perhaps missed Andy 'Tink' Beeson up front last season, as they didn't appear to have one of those players to knock in a goal just when you need it. There are some strong teams coming up this season and St. Mary's will need a commited turn-out week in, week out if they are to survive. They will be bouyed, at least at the start by the Cup win. Key players: Jon Jackaman, Nick Sprason, John Myatt, Matt Bignell, Josh Blunt - Sixth
St. Matthew's - After an extremely strong 2005/6 season, St. Matthew's settled into Division One life with an average performance. Like St. Mary's, St. Matthew's spent many years towards the bottom of the League, but have grown up. It's hard to believe that they finished the 2004 season with just five points in Division Two, well adrift at the bottom. I believe, in reality that 2006 was a transition year for the club. Martin Nicholls has transferred from Bilston and will be helping to run the team. His goals are priceless and he may just be the icing on the cake that the club needs to mount a serious challenge at the top. Martin will bring a few new faces to St. Matthew's with him and as such the club remain an unknown quantity, so don't be surprised. Marvin Nesbitt was a major find at the end of last season and threatens to feature as the new 'Martin Nicholls'. I think they'll be very strong in 2007/8 - Key players: Martin Nicholls, Jon Roberts, Paul Beagan, Marvin Nesbitt, David Broome - Second
Renewal Solihull - Solihull have always had a huge squad and I think they all get a game as the season progresses. I believe that their achilles' heel is their insistence on sticking to the afternoon kick-offs when the rest of the League is mornings. They have a very strong team when it is put together, but seem able to capitulate in awkward away ties. Like many teams, if their best team turned out every Saturday they could win the title. I was very impressed by the performance I saw when they played Amblecote early on last season, even though they lost the match. Key players: Paul Meadows, Jon Follows, Tony Tuiyott, Jason Nall - Seventh
Sheldon - Sheldon's goal was survival last season and if they are honest with themselves, I think they will be pleased if they avoid the drop again. The mission was accomplished by a string of narrow wins at the start last year. Unless they've signed some stronger players, I think they will be propping up the table next April - Key players: The Atkins trio, especially Nathan, Jon Woodward - Tenth
Rowley College - Rowley have really been away and charged their batteries over the last twelve months. I think they will be back to their form of old: A tough team to beat on their day. Like Solihull, if their first XI turned out every week, I think they would stand a chance of adding to their one Championship win. I predict the title fight to be far closer this year, with Rowley right up there in the leading bunch of teams. Incidentally, there are now by my reckoning, just two clubs who hold the honour of winning Division One, Two and the League Cup: Chawn and Rowley. Correct me if I'm wrong. Key players: Matt Williams, the Micklewrights, John Warr and Mark Southall - Third
City Church - It will be interesting to see how City get on in the top flight. They appear to be held together by three players: Louis Quaintance in midfield and the ever-sharp McKennas up front. If they can be kept quiet, then they may be in a spot of bother. I think we will see another ding-dong at the bottom of the division and City will be in the thick of it. However, over the last two seasons they have dug deep at times and produced some interesting results. I'm sure they'll do the same this year. - Eighth
Dynamo Kingswinford - It's very hard to predict exactly how Dynamo will get on, but they have seemed to suffer from a similar malaise that is so common in this League: Inconsistency. They certainly have some quality players and when they turn up and click, they can beat anybody. They were a little unfortunate last season after losing Tim Fellows to Amblecote, they also lost Chris Sweetmore to injury for a significant spell and so were left short up front. I have heard they've signed a new striker. It wasn't so long ago that DK were a permanent fixture at the Cup Final, runners up in Division Two and then were knocking around at the top of Division One for a couple of seasons before fading. Key players: Chris Sweetmore, Matt Pearson, Stuart Yates. Prediction: Ninth.
Division 2

Wolverhampton and Perton Churches - I was disappointed and surprised to see W&P drop out of Division One. They deserve to go down in the annals of WMCFL history as a major participant. But unfortunately it's more Jimmy White than Stephen Hendry, having lost the League Cup final in 2005 and coming second in the League in 05 and 06. Perhaps the triple-blow was too much for some players and they drifted away. The heart of the side is still together and perhaps they should note Rowley's performance from least season and do their best to duplicate it. Key players: Richard Webster, Tom Baugh, Oliver Jones and they could do with Kevin Preece back (one of their best players) - Prediction: (I'm assuming history will repeat itself) - Second
Bilston Beacons - A massive upheaval for the club in the close season as many players have left. St. Matthew's have taken Mart Nicholls, Dave Broome and the Swede Matteus Wihlborg. Chris Morrison has left to set up EKC and I think he has a few follow him. So the Beacons have been left a bit threadbare and significantly weakened in some positions. Ashley Hamer has moved the other way from St. Matthew's to Bilston and will be important. Alex 'Alfie' Westwood is a rock in defence and Jason Jackson is a great centre-half. I believe that this year Bilston will consolidate their position in the League rather than jump back up into Division One. Dek Dudfield may still pop up to score the odd goal too; class is permanent. Key players: Alex Westwood, Jason Jackson, Ashley Hamer. Prediction: Ninth.
King's AFC - I predicted that King's would drop to Division Two last year and they did. However, they weren't half as bad as their bottom-of-the-table-by-seven points finish suggested. They were missing one important ingredient: A goal-scorer. I believe that King's will fare far better in the lower division and instead of losing by one, they will be winning week-in, week-out. I have a theory about football at this level: I have quite often seen young teams come into the League, filled with players that are immensely skillful, but lack stamina and strength and eventually lose out to a more solid side. Football is far more than raw talent; guile and psychological strength play a part along with physical strength and speed, most of which young players seem to lack. King's are a mature footballing team and I believe it's this that will see them return at their first attempt if they can get the ball into the net. Key players: Tim Oruye, Aaron Mullin, Andy Strickland. Prediction: Third
Aldridge St. Thomas' - Having narrowly missed out on promotion last season, you would have to fancy St. Thomas' to take it one step further next season. They started very badly last year and then went on a run as the side settled back into WMCFL after a year out. They have a core of very good players that can cope with anything thrown at them. If they start well, I can see them adding to their only bit of silverware by repeating the capture of the Division Two title win in 2000. Key players: John Piggott, Mark Hadden, Joe Lister, Matt Brady, Chris Preece. Prediction: Champions.
Halesowen Zion - Halesowen ran hot and cold last year, losing games they ought to have won on paper (or html). Quite often when clubs split, they are weakened, I assume this was partly the reason that Halesowen struggled. Lee Ralph has left to join Amblecote and Jon Nott has finally called it a day to ref, like me, so unless Halesowen have managed to recruit some extras, I'm predicting they may struggle to get out of the Division. Key players: Jon Williams, Steve Cockcroft, Chris Noone. Prediction: Fourth.
Zion Athletic - Zion are a team in the making; not quite the finished article. In Jallen they have one of the best players in the League, showing exceptional maturity and a solid defender too. There are other experienced players in the squad, Jon Taylor knows where the goal is; but on the whole Zion are a young side, blessed with talent, but a little lightweight. When the wind's behind them and they are a couple of goals up, they are humming; but I cannot see them progressing. Expect a few upsets though. They very nearly knocked Solihull out of the Cup last year. Key players: Jon Allen, James Toomey, Jon Taylor. prediction: Eighth
St. Boniface - St. Boniface ended on a high note least season, winning their last two matches easily. They have strengthened in the close-season and I'm told will be back with a bang come September. St. Boniface have never been a very poor side, although the League table doesn't lie. They have put in some poor performances, but have always been several quality players short of a good team. Well they may just have found them. An outside bet for promotion, but I am putting my money on a mid-table finish. Key players: Mitchell Solomon (I'm told he has an African name too), Simon Adams, Mark Hughes, Rob Mapp, Paul Yeomans, Jim Leghorn, Scott Pickering. Prediction: Sixth
Brierley Hill AOG - Started brightly last season, but petered out towards the end. They still managed to win five out of eighteen games and ended with a respectable goal-difference. They have now lost Shawn Devonport, Lee Ralph and Dave Oakley, who have all defected to Amblecote and all were missed. I think they will struggle this year, but as usual take points off the champions. Key players: Ian Baker, Carl Wakelam, Christian Jones, Cherry le Rouge. prediction: Twelfth.
Selly Oak Methodist - I was going to say eleventh until I saw them in pre-season. Selly Oak have recruited some excellent players to compliment their squad. There were two or three in central midfield that impressed me in particular that will be instrumental if they feature regularly. I'm not sure of their names. One was referred to as Toure, another could out-jump Peter Crouch despite his diminuative stature. I think his name was Samuel something and reminded me of Claude Makelele. Having only lost narrowly to Chawn Hill in pre-season, Selly Oak ought to be up there come next May if they can stay disciplined. Key players: Lawrence Belgrave, Ryan Anderson and I'll let you know when I find out. Prediction: Fifth.
Walsall Olympic - Everybodys' favourite team last year. Their season was far better than the raw statistics show. They came bottom last term and won only one match, however their goal difference was only minus thirty and they only conceded fifty in eighteen matches; less than three a game. It's not unusual for the bottom team of this or any other league to let in in excess of one hundred. I would expect an improvement on last season. Key players: Jon Swain, Andy Massey, Stephen Breese. Prediction: Eleventh.
EK Corinthia - EKC are a brand new club to the League, but will field some familiar faces. Chris Morrison is the seventh in the All Time Top Scorers' charts with thrirty-two goals and I'm sure he will be adding to that total on a regular basis. They beat a ten-man Amblecote (it was nine for quite a bit of the match) in pre-season, so clearly are no push-overs. They'd be a long shot for promotion, but won't come bottom. Key players: Chris Morrison, their keeper is good too. Prediction: Seventh.
Sandwell United - Sandwell still look a bit lightweight throughout, but I expect a better showing than in the 2004/5 season. The photo on the web site sports players who are surely all under twenty. This was their weakness last time around. The players have an abundance of skill, but could do with some grey hair in the ranks. Whereas older teams seem to regroup afetr conceding and fequently score, Sandwell tended to implode. Key players: Martyn Vaughan, Scott Snow. Prediction: Eleventh.

Overall I would imagine that St. Matthew's, Rowley, Amblecote and Clarendon will compete for the top spot throughout the season. Personally, I think Sheldon will be struggling throughout, but the other five to decide amongst themselves to escape the drop.

I think we may see a battle to the end between W&P, St. Thomas', King's and possibly Selly Oak for the title with Halesowen, EKC, St. Boniface and Zion Athletic making up a mid-table group. I'm under the impression that Bilston, Sandwell, Walsall and Brierley Hill will bring up the rear.