Ed's Eye

2010/11 Preview

Well what a year 2009/10 was! We just get bigger and better: More teams, more referees, more exposure. We started with 36 sides but sadly lost Walsall very soon after. The three leagues were exciting throughout. Division One went all the way with just a point between Clarendon and St Mary's. I think City Church would have been up there too had it not been for the distraction of the Cup. Champions Church won Division Two but it wasn't quite the breeze they made of Division Three the previous season. Junction Ten eventually won Division Three but DC put up quite a fight.

The Cup was a great competition last year, culminating in a rather one-sided final. We were amazed to see Sky Sports News there and the coverage on national television following it.

As ever at this time of year, I am frequently getting asked when am I going to do my predictions. After successfully guessing all three divisional winners last year, I was tempted to pass the job on. I get a bit of stick from the sides that I've suggested will come bottom, so please remember it's just a bit of fun. EK and Amblecote let me know how they felt last year but they both responded well. They were the two sides that I managed to majorly mis-judge last year. My ears are still ringing...

But here goes...

Division 1

Clarendon - Whilst I think that the division will be more compressed this year, I still think that Clarendon have the shortest odds of retaining their title. They have several new signings and whilst this can present its own problems, I'm sure Clarendon will settle down to be the strongest side in the league. They will need to be on their game with the likes of Champions Church entering the division and the emergence of City Church as a force to be reckoned with, notwithstanding St Mary's who perhaps would have won last season had it not been for their injury troubles. They also have to contend with a stronger Amblecote, Halesowen Zion who gave them a run for their money in their two fixtures amongst others.

The two lads up front, Jason and Pablo look unstoppable on their day. You have a solid back line including Craige, Daley and Roger; they know exactly what to do and what each other are going to do. The midfield is packed full of tough, no-nonsense players and add to that the new signings including Obi from St Boniface and David Walker from Common Ground, I wouldn't fancy picking that side: Champions again.
City Church - City really came of age last season. After slowly making their way through the league over the past five seasons, it looks as though they are doing a St Mary's and after winning the Cup, could go on to win the league. But there are plenty out there to stop them. They have a strong squad, with steel and guile in the form of Cooper and Garwood to add to Quaintance coming back from serious injury. Across the board, the team is there or thereabouts and I think they will turn the top two into the top three: Second.
St. Mary's - Could and should have won the league last year. I turned up to a game last season and they looked thin on the ground but the players they've got do the business. They suffered from a spate of injuries towards the end of last year; with a fully fit squad, they will be up there. In my book, they are the best passing team in the league and at times can break teams with their fluid one and two-touch game. I'm going to say third but will not be shocked if they are further up the table: Third.

Champions Church - Champions have cruised their way into Division One, losing just two matches in two years. The big question is 'will they cut it in Division One?' I have to say that I think they will be in the mix. They will miss Shawn's goals and maybe that will be the difference between the top and just below top. When you look up and down any league, there are always games you fancy and games you don't. No-one will relish playing them. One day they will take the Division One title, but maybe not this year: Fourth.
Halesowen Zion - Halesowen have moved from a bog of a pitch to Lea Castle down towards Kidderminster, where I'm told the pitches are much better. I think that will suit Halesowen, they are a talented footballing side. Over the years Halesowen have at times been up with the best, giving our best good games. But they have been too inconsistent to win the league. If they could turn in good performances every week, they'd stand a chance: Fifth.
Amblecote - I predicted a bottom finish for these lads last season. That was one I got wrong initially but then they went on a run of ten straight defeats. I think they are better than bottom, much better but like many sides, if they could get their best side out every week, they'd be at least top four. I can't see them making an impression on the top few apart from the odd match but they have some good players: Sixth
King's AFC - I think King's will be mid-table again this season. They have a good core of players that can turn it on every now and then but I cannot see them adding to their four Division One titles: Seventh.
Selly Oak Methodist - Hard to say how they will get on but Selly Oak have some seasoned campaigners who know how to play football. They also have some highly skilled players who can add that little bit extra to turn a game. I think they will win some that they will be expected to lose and lose some spectacularly. But over the years they have turned some Division One sides over, good and proper, reaching two Cup semi-finals in the process. I don't think they'll go down: Eighth.
Zion Athletic - Zion Athletic escaped relegation by the skin of their teeth last year. Having said that, they didn't get turned over. The most they conceded was four. I've heard that they have signed Jimmy Cutler who was Division One's top scorer last season, so having him in the team could make a difference. They always seemed short of players last season; they're just not one of those teams that turn up with eighteen. If they can plug a few gaps, they could surprise a few people: Ninth.
EK Corinthia - There's one I got completely wrong last year. EK are hard to predict, they seem to have a lot of players around them and then struggle for a team. At times last year, they were up with Division Two's best. We will see how they get on this year, it depends which EK turn up. They got a major boost from me last season suggesting they were going to struggle, they responded to it big time, so I'm going to say: Tenth.
Wolverhampton and Perton Churches - Another tricky team to second guess. They did much better than every seemed to be saying last season, ending a deserved fifth; highly creditable. I think we have a stronger contingent this season and I think they'll struggle but Wolves have always been a team that now how to play football; experience counts: Eleventh.
St. Matthew's - Martin Nicholls has left to rejoin Amblecote, taking another player with him. This can either galvanise the side or send it spinning. I know little about St Matt's but they seemed to struggle with Mart, so unless he's been replaced I would imagine they'd be in greater difficulty.

Division 2

Junction Ten Village - I think that Junction Ten will win back to back titles, just like Champions Church did last year. There's no doubt that they know how to play football, the passing and tackling would grace Division One and if they keep the side they had last year, they should be readying themselves for Division One this time next year. They say that success breeds success and so long as they are committed to showing up every week, this team will be up there: Champions
Rowley College - I have long-since been saying that those sides that finish last season strongly will start the next in the same vein. Rowley got beaten 10-0 by Lighthouse Lions on 21 November 2009 and from then on looked like championship material. Granted, they were beaten by Champions and Selly Oak but they were in both games and could have won either. Without the benefit of Sky Sports News' transfer updates etc. I have to say that I think Rowley will be in the top lot this year. They could well win this division and are strong contenders for promotion: Second.
MBD United - MBD have moved grounds to the lush pastures of Moor Lane, where the grass is abundant, the pitches flat and the touchlines unusally far apart from each other at this level of football. MBD have always been a footballing club and I'm sure the new venue will suit their game. In the close season they underwent a change in leadership and rather than unsettle the side, it has appeared to have strengthened it. I had high hopes for MBD last year but they came unstuck with wayward form, swinging one way and the other. Pre-season results suggest a higher finish than last year: Third.
St Thomas Aldridge - St Thomas have a long history of bouncing back and to between the two top divisions and I think that another promotion is on the cards. They've strengthened in the close season with the addition of Ash Hamer and Stu Rogers capitalising on the demise of St John's; it's nice to see these lads still involved. They also have Mark Hadden up front, one of just three players who've surpassed the 100 goal tally. I think that the combination of the new lads, Hadden's goals and the existing collection of football nous, the team will do well in a competitive division. One of several promotion candidates: Fourth.
Renewal Solihull - I was just about to say tenth and then the result came through on a text to say that they'd beaten City Church 4-2. Now friendlies are friendlies and sometimes people are away or the pastor is getting a run-out but nevertheless, a 4-2 win against City is just that. Renewal have always been able to field a good side but like so many teams these days, people find other things to do, or at least their wives find things for them to do. If Solihull could put their first eleven out every week, we'd see more results like this: Fifth.
Sheldon - Sheldon took a pounding last season. Whilst at times they competed in games, by and large they took a pasting conceding almost 100 goals last year. They seem to have had a successful pre-season and have been bolstered by some close-season transfer dealings, so possible dark horses to bounce back: Sixth
Bournbrook Athletic - These boys are due a little luck and perhaps 2010/11 will be their year. They are another team that finished last year in good nick and with a few new faces could do well: Seventh.
Chawn Hill Church - After a bit of a wilderness patch, Chawn are threatening to put that all behind them this season: Paul Taylor is back, who in my opinion is one of the finest defenders this league has seen but suffered a cruciate rupture that he's just getting over. Curtis Jordan has also re-signed from Amblecote and he's number fourteen in the All Time Top Scorers and will bring quality up front. A good start from Chawn may re-kindle this sleeping giant of WMCFL: Eighth.
Sporting Zion - A bit of an unknown quantity in Division Two as they were promoted in third spot from Division Three. It's fair to say that they finished strongly conceeding just two goals in their last seven Division Three matches with opposition including St John's and DC. I am tempted to put them a little higher up but they are a yound side, apart from you Dave. Maybe they'll take a year to bed in, Division Two has some tough sides: Nineth.
Lighthouse Lions - The jury's out on this side. Another team that on their day have some highly talented players, not least of which the diminuative but influential Adam Elcock. They are back at Norman Chamberlain, which is a lovely set-up. The move to Saltley could well have unsettled them. We'll see how they get on: Tenth.
Dynamo Kingswinford - Sorry chaps but I can't see any other outcome but a wooden spoon for DK. Whilst they play some good football at times, I've heard that they've lost some good players and that will not help. They improved a little toward the end of last season but were fortunate to avoid relegation: Eleventh.
Division 3

Revival Fires - Division Three is often a tough call, not that any of the three divisions are a foregone conclusion but once again we have almost half the teams new again this year. I have refereed Revival three times in pre-season and I was impressed with what I saw; they got better in every game. One thing in particular stood out: Preparation. This is a key ingredient. Whilst it is no guarantee of success, it can certainly turn an average team into one that will challenge for the championship. Revival have a big squad, a big following and a highly capable goal-keeper. They also have a highly passionate boss and are a team that are committed to winning: Champions.
Brierley Hill AOG - The Hill had a good season last time out, building on the work done that had gone before. I don't think they set out to conquer the world but as time has gone by, they've begun to win a fair few games, as well as enjoy their football. They've picked up a few capable individuals, blended this with several young lads who can run and run and dial in the old heads and you have a reasonable team. It will be interesting to watch their progress: Second.
Common Ground United - They will miss David Walker this year but they still have a strong side with some amazing individual talent. This side play with their hearts on their sleeves and have a strong bond of unity and team ethic. I'm sure they will do well: Third.
Rockmount United - Rockmount have been part of WMCFL for two years now. In their first season, many people were saying that they were the best side in Division Three but the results were just not matching performances. I thought that perhaps they needed a season to settle in but the overall outcome was fairly similar when you compare the two seasons. I haven't heard much about Rockmount's preparations something needs to change if they are to improve on the last two seasons. Sometimes it can be something little or even just the passage of time and players settling: Fourth.
Living Hope Church - Living Hope had a torrid first half of their maiden season, gleaning just two points from their matches until almost the end of February, including a 1-16 demolition by Sandwell United. Incredibly, their very next game they beat Junction Ten 3-2 and did not lose another match. In combination with my theory that teams that end well start well, Living Hope have strengthened their side with some good players. I think they'll have a much better season than last year: Fifth, at least.
Sandwell United - After spending significant time in the bowels of the league, Sandwell made strides last year; much better. They started last year in poor form, losing six on the bounce, then went on a great run, unbeaten for six and losing just six of their last sixteen. If they continue in that form, I'm sure they will go on to greater things this year: Sixth.
Halesowen Athletic - One team that I know very little about. I know that they are young and have several former DC players but beyond that I don't know. I think they have played some friendlies but I've either forgotten how they got on or I am imagining it. In view of their inexperience and youth and that they are a new side, they may take a while to settle: Seventh.
Beacon Church - A new team to WMCFL, although they nearly joined twelve months ago. Beacon went away and made sure they could sustain an assault on WMCFL. I don't know much about them, so they are an unknown quantity pretty much. I think they'll do at least OK: Eighth.
Darkhouse - Another new side that are completely new to me. I have just one friendly to go on: a 5-3 defeat to Living Hope: Ninth.
Charlemont Star - One more unknown new club. MBD pounded them 9-1 in pre-season but beyond that I know very little about this team. No doubt we'll get a better idea as the season goes on: Tenth.
Pye Green Towers - Pye Green struggled a bit last season, just ten points from their 22 matches. I think that their year's experience will pay dividends this year but I cannot see them making an impression on Division Three: Eleventh.
All Nations - Another bottom place for All Nations last season, however they did significantly improve on the previous season, winning a couple of games and incredibly against the champions Junction Ten. I think Division Three is a little easier this season but until we see how the new clubs pan out, we can't be sure: 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.