Ed's Eye

2009/10 Preview

I'm sure you'll agree that 2008/9 was a superb season for WMCFL. We were a bit worried at Committee level that things might get out of hand with the League being so big and expanding so quickly. Our worries were unfounded and by and large the new teams were great. For me, it was pleasing to see so many of the new clubs being church based. The League has never been exclusively Christian but I applaud the values that we stand for: So many people tell me that it's great to play a game of football that you can bring the wife and kids to see, rather than expect all manner of unpleasantness.

Yet again, we have a very healthy influx of new teams with just one club calling it a day; West Brom. It was sad to see them fold after so long. The League has a very balanced look for once, with three divisions of twelve. The larger divisions will mean more football, which is pretty much what you have all been crying out for, so I'm hoping for an even better year.

For those of you that are new to WMCFL, Ed's Eye started out as an addendum to the League's activity: A little comment here and there and a results service I suppose. A bit of a hobby for me and a bit of fun for everyone. In the early days, we were getting a handful of hits a day. I was well proud when I reported that 999 visits had been made on the site in April 2003. We've moved on a bit since then: We averaged over 700 hits a day last November and I wholly expect an increase again this year.

Back in those days I was bright enough (irony) to stick my neck out and make a few predictions on how it would all pan out. Little did I know of how seriously 'Ed's Predictions' would be taken and become an intrinsic part of the site. I have created a monster! So, as I say every year:

These predictions are not intended to be a serious commentary, just a bit of fun. I don't have the benefit of detailed information on new signings and often I just have the results to go on. If you don't agree with the following content, feel free to let me know, or as the cliche goes, let the football do the talking.

I will say that once again, predicting who is going to finish where is far from clear-cut. Division One looks as open as ever, the front runners being Clarendon and St Mary's, or are they both past it? Halesowen and City are in the ascendancy and St Matthew's are back on the island (perhaps) and you can never rule out King's.

You'd have to fancy Champions Church for the Division Two title, by far the shortest odds but sometimes this can weigh heavy on a young team. MBD, also fresh from promotion look good, but can they sustain a title challenge; they are a young bunch too. Selly Oak have stumbled a little after promising to deliver, so perhaps they will get it together? Rowley had a superb season the last time they were relegated, finishing the season unbeaten, twelve points clear of City in second place so don't rule them out.

Division Three is pretty difficult too, perhaps not quite so as last season when nine of the ten teams were new. There's some quality in the new teams, namely Junction Ten Village and St John's Church who both have plenty of experience at this level. Sporting Zion are from a long line of teams to emerge from Zion Christian Centre Halesowen, so they will be in the mix too. There are teams from last year's Division Three that perhaps have benefitted from a year's football, grinding away and gaining experience that I expect to be part of the promotion race, namely DC Dynamos and Rockmount. Zion City, formerly known as Shiloh United, are under new management may well be up there too.

So here we go:

Division 1

Clarendon - I was delighted to see Clarendon finally win the Cup last season. If ever a team has deserved a trophy, then I have to say that Clarendon fit the bill. But the elusive double has escaped their grasp almost as if they were unable to concentrate on both at once. As the League was delivered, the Cup campaigns often seemed to fall foul to inexplicable defeats to lesser opposition and then when the Cup arrived, the League slipped from their fingers like a bar of wet soap.

For me, Clarendon have always been a top team. Quality, consistency and endeavour have been by-words in my attempts to describe them. And gentlemen too. They have gone through several transformations in their life in WMCFL. They wobble a little from time to time but have always come back. They are my favourites for 2009/10.
City Church - After escaping relegation on a technicality in 07/08 and then finishing fifth (a win away from third) last season, perhaps City will push their way into the reckoning this year. City always look like they are doing worse than they actually are on account of their matches getting called off at the drop of a hat and hence playing catch up all season. In my opinion, they are doing a bit of a St Mary's and are a player or so short of moving into the top echelons. Either that or their current crop will come of age and knock a few results together that will give them confidence and the opposition the fear to go on to greater things: Second
St. Matthew's - St Matthew's had a tough season last year, suffering a torrid mid-season spell of poor form. Teams learn from this. Any side with Martin Nicholls in it will not roll over and take defeat lightly. I think they will build on last year's experience and emerge as one of the front-runners again. After all, Clarendon only managed to wrest a single measly point from their two matches with St Matthew's last season: Third
Halesowen Zion - I actually think that Halesowen have some of the most talented players to grace WMCFL at this point in time. On their day they are up with the best of them and have a bunch of lads that have played together, season in, season out. On their day, they are a match for anyone but as with most sides can lack consistency at times. If the same eleven turn up every week, they can go places: Fourth.
St. Mary's - St Mary's have had a brilliant run in WMCFL, over the last three season especially. Three Cup finals, two Cup wins and a League Championship is the stuff that most of the 808 players registered last season dream of. I think that the lads from Aldridge will take a bit of a breather this year: Fifth
King's AFC - King's came on strong last season towards the end, beating out a good run of results. I'm saying sixth but will expect this as a minimum. King's have a strong pedigree in WMCFL as one of the founder members back in 1979, with folks (or their children) still involved. They have almost always been a good side and I see no reason for that to change this year: Sixth, minimum
St. Thomas' Aldridge - St Thomas had a tough season last year. They lost their talismanic goal-scorer to Sheldon, suffered a pre-season deduction of points and at times suffered from a frustrating lack of players. The run-in at the end of last year was inspiring and morale boosting for the squad. Not only that but I think Mark Hadden is back, currently the all-time top scorer in WMCFL no less! A team that ends well, begins the next season well: Seventh but top of the bottom half. I think there will be a gap between those above.
St. Boniface - One of St Boniface's better seasons last year. They were up for the DIvision Two title but faded slightly towards the end, missing out by just a point. They always seemed to have plenty of players around and between them rattled in 73 goals. I think they will stay up but not make a big impression on the division: Eighth
Wolverhampton and Perton Churches - Wolves came into the League not long after St Boniface and like St Bs, still retain a few folks who were there in the early days; nice to see. They have a core of players who can play football at this level; cool-headed and sufficiently skillful with their brains as well as their feet. Some are saying that they will struggle again but they are a team that can turn it on. They pushed St Mary's all the way last year in the quarter final of the Cup. I'd say they are good enough to avoid the bottom three: Ninth
Zion Athletic - Now we come to the relegation spots and I'm thinking 'hmmmm'. Have I made the right choice? My thoughts are that Amblecote and Sheldon will struggle and it will be one from four for the third from bottom place: St Thomas, St Boniface, Wolves or Zion. Zion can be quite a good side at times but last year suffered at the hands of lesser opposition every now and then. I think they will get punished more often unless they up the ante a little: Tenth
Sheldon - I said Sheldon would come last two years ago, so I cannot repeat that. I do hate saying that teams will not do will, it's against my nature but the loss of Mark Hadden back to St Thomas is difficult to ignore. I anticipate a year of struggle for Lyndon's side - Eleventh

Amblecote - There have been some good teams drop out of Division One over the last few seasons: Dynamo (triple Cup winners and league runners up), Rowley twice (Cup and League winners), King's (Cup finalist and League winners) and Wolves and Perton (double league and Cup runners up). Amblecote have a good side with some talented players but seem to lack commitment and motivation. Perhaps it's their year to get relegated? Unless they start well, they will be up against it - Twelth

Division 2

Champions Church - I did wonder if Champions would come a little unstuck in a more competitive division but the pre-season form suggests otherwise. I refereed their warm-up match against St Mary's who they beat 6-1, so if they continue in this vein, you'd have to say 'no'. They have strengthened the team with several additions, plugging gaps where they were a bit weaker, looking particularly strong in defence to add to the blistering pace and ruthless finishing up front.

Champions were a little off colour in a handful of matches last season but because the quality of opposition wasn't perhaps what it will be in Division Two, they got away with it. An off day against some of the teams in the middle sector of the league and they will be punished. However, I cannot see beyond Champions adding to their silverware this year - First
MBD United - Once again, MBD have been playing plenty of matches throughout the summer break. Results have been largely good, so I would expect them to roll their good form into the league when the action starts on 5 September. They have some excellent players that would not disgrace themselves in any side in the league. I think they will do well again and I expect them to be challenging for promotion throughout the year - Second
Selly Oak Methodist - I was going to be a little cheeky and just put 4th and nothing else. It must have been disappointing for Rob's side to miss out two seasons on the trot, especially as the gap was so close both times and that Division One has expanded. Selly Oak still have players in the team that have been there since the start and have added a few new faces along the way to strengthen the team. They'll hate me for this but I'm going to say they'll go one better and make it to the top three this year - Third
Lighthouse Lions - A well run team with some passionate players in the side. They have a nice set up over in Shard End and are well run by a committed bunch of people who really care. I think they'll do alright in this division, despite the team being quite a young side. I think this factor may mean they'll perhaps not quite make it to Division One - Fourth
Rowley College - Rowley have lost several key players, namely their captain Johnny Warr and Jamie Hunter who lead the line for them during the last few years. Despite this, I think they will finish up there; they still have a nucleus of players in the side who can turn in a good performance. However, my theory of teams taking their form from the end of last season into the next is rarely proven wrong: They seemed unable to garner points from anywhere. But, they weren't getting turned over, just beaten in almost every game. Perhaps they can turn these perfomances into wins against slightly less able opposition? - Fifth
Birmingham International - A mixed season for Inter last year during which they seemed able to compete with the best and then struggle against the teams in the lower reaches of the league. A difficult team to predict but I think they will do OK in this division, aquitting themselves against all comers - Sixth

Bournbrook Athletic - Bournbrook endured a tough year last out, both on and off the park, with various injuries and illnesses of varying magnitude. But they came through it with flying colours finishing second in a division with some quality. I think they have lost a few players over the summer, so they may need a little time to bed in - Seventh

Chawn Hill Church - Chawn have gone through a metamorphosis over the past two years or so and in the main look like a new side. Their game is still suited to South Rd, possibly one of the grounds that teams least look forward to playing at. I think they'll do a bit better than last season, safe from relegation but not threaten the top lot. I believe their side will settle a bit this year and begin to click - Eighth
Renewal Solihull - Last year I said - Probably one of the most unpredictable clubs in the League. It's no easier this year either. We'll have to see how they do but they are one of those teams that could put a run together or languish in the first part of the season - Ninth
Dynamo Kingswinford - DK didn't do at all well last year, results-wise at least. In their day, Dynamo were one of the most feared sides in the league and there are quite a few lads still in the side from those days. However, they have failed to adequately replace the boys that used to put the ball in the net and until they do, DK will struggle - Tenth
Walsall Olympic - I've not heard much from this side, save to say they went seriously off-colour in the second half of last year. Several good players have left and joined other sides and unless they have been replaced by equally gifted players, the signs are that Walsall will be up against it - Eleventh
EK Corinthia - I was going to put EK further up the league in my predictions but a couple of friendly results have put paid to that. Maybe EK will put together a team that they have long been promising but at the moment I can't see them making an impact - Twelfth
Division 3

Junction Ten Village - You could see straight from the off that J10 have the makings of a good side. Their 2-1 defeat several weeks ago at the hands of St Mary's, current league champions, only emphasised the point that they will be there or thereabouts come the end of the season. I don't think they'll have it all their own way but the combination of experience, guile, grit and determination all bodes well for J10 - First
St John's Church - I did think at first that St John's would be champions and I'd say that they could well win it, then J10's results began to roll in and at the moment I think they are marginally favourites. But St John's will impose themselves on this division this season. I'd say that Division Three will split in two, with St John's well ensconsed into the top half of the table. Like J10, they have a number of players that have been around the block at this level - Second
D C Dynamos - Like the previous two clubs, DC could well be up there. One thing is guaranteed: DC will complete in all their matches with all their blood and guts. At times last season, DC were with the promotion chasing teams but it wasn't sustained all year. If they can iron out the creases they will be challenging for top spot - Third
Rockmount United - Another team with shortish odds for promotion. Many people who played Rockmount commented that they were one of the best sides in the Division last year but they failed to turn the performances into three-point outings. Maybe things will fall into place this season and they will fulfil their potential but should they slip up, I think there will be teams around them that will swiftly over-take - Fourth
Sporting Zion - Like last season, when we had a top five, I think we'll have a similar situation with Sporting being one of those teams. If they are anything like the other Zions that we have or have had in the league, they'll beat the best and lose to the worst. All Zion teams have been good or come good eventually. The signs are promising for this Zion side pre-season with some encouraging results. I think they will do well and enjoy themselves but not win the division - Fifth
Common Ground United - CGU have some very good players in their ranks but I suspect that they haven't played too much football at this level. When the rain and frost comes on a Saturday morning and we start to move into the colder months, I think they may suffer a little. I think CGU will have a good year but it will be one to build on rather than celebrate. They may have a little work to do to function as a team rather than a collection of individual talent - Sixth
Living Hope Church - A well set up and organised team that will do alright in the league. I can see LHC progressing through the ranks of WMCFL, slowly but surely improving year on year - Seventh
Sandwell United - Sandwell did look like they were going to compete much further up the division this season but early pre-season results are proving otherwise. They have drafted in a few players but it remains to be seen if they can make an impact in 09/10. Sandwell were getting it together towards the end of last season but I'm not sure if that form will be carried forward into the new year. I'd like to see them at the very least get several wins under their belts and they should be easier to come by in Division Three; still if they can finish eighth then that would be a best ever - Eighth
Zion City - The one Zion team that has nothing to do with Zion Christian Centre in Halesowen; they are the former Shiloh United from last year. Shiloh didn't make a massive dent last year but are under new management this time out, so who knows? We could have more of the same or maybe they'll have a different look - Ninth
Brierley Hill AOG - BHAOG are one of the oldest clubs in the league. Some of the founder member teams have left and come back after a break but Brierley and Chawn are the two that have stuck it out. They did win the First Division back in 1990, but to be fair the league wasn't quite what it is now. There were only a handful of teams. Nevertheless, a league title is a league title. BH did a little better last season but still didn't manage to win many. The stats were reasonably good, namely goals against but only three wins. Sadly, I don't think BH will do much better this year but as always, they can spring a surprise. They normally manage to upset some's run or knock a big scalp out of the Cup. Don't assume you will get an easy match - Tenth
Pye Green Towers - Another well organised and well prepared new team. Friendly results were tending to indicate that PGT will not glean too many points from this season but the thorough preparation may pay off and defy the early pre-season form - Eleventh
All Nations - All Nations endured a difficult year last season, taking just one point from their eighteen games. They were the league's lowest scorers and conceded a whopping 108 goals. On this evidence, I cannot see that All Nations will improve massively but as been previously stated on these pages, there are plenty of clubs much further up the league that started life finishing in the lower reaches of the league only to come good later on. Many people said that All Nations were a good bunch of lads, accepting defeat in a sporting manner and not giving up until the final whistle blew, whatever the score-line. I wish them well this season - Twelfth
 
Very best wishes to all our clubs, especially the new teams who are welcomed into WMCFL for the first season. I trust you will all enjoy your football and uphold the good name of the League with excellent sportsmanship, win, lose or draw. It's been very difficult to write this column this season due to the competitive nature of the league and in most cases teams seem fairly evenly matched.