[Kaebi]

This is a quality effort :thup:

I particually love the layout and the way you divide it into chapters, it's a great effort by you and you have certainly improved - writing wise since I have been away :clap:

Great effort in game and in text :star:

[Greenbeard]

Chapter V - ‘The Comeback’

Success


Never before in my life have I been so happy after losing a match as I was on the final day of the Championship, away from home against Derby 2-1. Leicester City hadn’t be able to produce enough goals during their final match meaning that they trailed two points behind us, with all matches played. As Cardiff took over their spot on the same amount of points as us with eleven goals making the difference between direct promotion and a play-off spot between third place Cardiff and ourselves.

Even though we hadn’t wont the entire league I was extremely pleased, I’d notched up on of the most historical seasons the Southampton Football Club had ever seen, and the fans board and English media were praising me, and worshiping me as if I was a god. Personally I didn’t like all of the attention, I’ve always been a lonely wolf kind of person, and prefer not to be able to read about my personal life in the newspaper, whilst having breakfast under the roof of my house.

I made one more capture during the final moments of the season, when Tottenham Hotspurs released Danny Murphy the nine times capped English attacking midfielder, which I directly contacted and signed to replace Iñigo who now was coming of age. Another player who’d become of age was Bengt Andersson, the Swedish goalkeeper whom I’d signed during the summer window transfer, he was now into his forty’s and informed me that he had made his mind up to retire at the end of the season, in honour for his loyalty and good performance’s during the season I let him play the final game against Derby, the one which we lost 2-1, he was very happy about playing his final game, and thanked the club and personal and the fans after the final whistle.

It had been a roller-coaster of a ride during the final games, as after the win against Preston 4-0 we’d had a horrible streak in which we only won one game five matches, moving us down into fifth position, but excellent performances against Crystal Palace and Colchester saw us move into third position, and the crunching of Coventry 6-1 at home, moved us into a secure second place where we finished.
I’d agreed for two new player’s during the summer transfer window as out-favoured Mattia Cassani a right defender, from Italian side Palermo was an impressive talent which one of the club’s scouts had found, we agreed a fee of 2,9 million pounds with the Italian club for the youngster.
The second player was Charles-André Doudin twenty year old promising Swiss Under-21 international striker who currently plays for Sion, caught my own attention with his amazing finishing and free-kick skills, and his first touch was world class, I was very surprised when I was able to persuade Sion, to sell the youngster during the up-coming summer for only 1,2 million pounds.

The media always talk about the beneficial improvements for a club that gets promoted from the Championship to the Premiership is around forty million pounds, during the first season, but since I’d taken over as manager of The Saint’s we’d made a ten million profit! With the season over the player’s were given holiday as I together with Nebojsa and the club’s scout and board would now start the big work for the new Southampton era in the Barclay Premiership.

[Kaebi]

Premiership la la la, Premiership la la la
Premiership la la la, Premiership la la la

You're there now, so hopefully you can stay there :thup:

Premiership la la la, Premiership la la la
Premiership la la la, Premiership la la la

[Greenbeard]

Chapter V - ‘There’s No Looking Back’

Preparations for the New Era

There would be big changes at St. Mary’s Stadium during the 2007 summer break, with the club moving up to the highest tier of English Football, Southampton Football Club were now going to compete against the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool only two name a few of the biggest club’s in England.
The financial profits compared to the previous year in the Championship would occurring to the media an increase of 30 million £. Meaning that the club had to change to fit these new higher league standards, an improved training facility and youth academy would be needed, more quality player’s had to be signed and better personal to be hired.

Myself as manger of the club, would not be taking a holiday to Bermuda or Thailand, no I’d be spending most of my summer improving the different areas of the club, scouting around the continent for new talents, and looking into each and every corner of the club seeing where I could improve the standards.
Sadly many player’s who’d been with us week in week out, would be leaving the club during the summer either because they weren’t in my plans for the future or because they were cashing to much each week, compared to how well they were playing for the club. The saddest part of it all was that our precious goal-scoring youngster Scott Sinclair would be returning back to the giants Chelsea after a season’s loan, he’d been selected in the team of the year and also won the Coca-Cola Championship Top Goalscorer award with his thirty-three goals in the league for us. During his time at Southampton we’d bounded very well, and I was very sad the day he returned to London and Chelsea, hoping to be able to get the board to either give me more transfer money or hoping for the possibility of being able to sign the youngster during the next season on a years loan.
The link between Chelsea and Southampton was terminated as we moved up into the same league, which was a immediate termination point sustained in the contract which was signed between the two clubs, which was in my opinion a big disappoint as I’d love to have the possibility of loaning the Chelsea youngster’s again, without having to pay ridiculous amount of fee’s for their wages.

Another signing during the summer transfer window was Per Weihrauch former Chelsea youngster and Danish Under-21 international attacking right midfielder joined the club on a three year contract basis. Former captain of the club Claus Lundekvam who in my opinion wouldn’t be able to play good enough to keep the standard of being able to defend against the likes of Wayne Rooney and Thierry Henry was sold to Nottingham Forrest for a mere 60,000 pounds.

And then there was the big announcement that I’d yet again be manager over one of my favourite player’s ever Wilton Figueiredo would join Southampton from AIK, for free, around Christmas when his contract with the club from Stockholm would expire.
I made yet another move for what I hoped was a very big promising star, when I signed Eritrean young midfielder Gino Lawson aged nineteen, on a free transfer after he rejected an extended contract with his previous club Chivas USA. He’d have to be loaned out to Wettern one of our feeder club’s to gain a Belgium passport, and being accompanied by foreign team-mates which I’d signed during last summer’s transfer window.

But I was overjoyed when Jose Mourinho contacted me giving the club the possibility of loaning Scott Sinclair for yet another season, though this time we’d have to pay for his wages. I was delighted to have the youngster back at the club and so was the fans and board, and I was even honoured to receive a text message from Craig David’s congratulating me for loaning Scott in for what we all hoped was what was going to be yet another successful year at St Mary’s Stadium. Another gladdening news for Nebojsa and myself and for the club was that Bengt Andersson last seasons number one goalkeeper wasn’t going to be leaving us permanently as previously thought when he said he’d retire as player, as he signed a goalkeeper coach contract with the club until the next season. My second long term loan signing was yet another promising youngster this time from Manchester United, as Italian attacking midfielder Giuseppe Rossi joined us, and with Bengt Andersson now at the club as a goalkeeper coach we needed to strengthen our ranks between the sticks, and this was done by signing French Under-21 national goalkeeper Alexandre Martinovic from AA Gent’s for 60 thousand pounds.

[Ferenczi]

Read this all the way through and I'm loving it as ever Greenbeard. KUTGW mate :thup:

[Greenbeard]

Chapter V - ‘There’s No Looking Back’

Walking on Clouds

We’d to face Manchester City in our opening game in the Barclay Premiership at St. Mary’s Stadium on Saturday 18th of August 2007. It was little over two weeks before the beginning of the new season, and times at Southampton Football Club were very busy, I my self Rikard Norling barley had time to sleep as the manager of the club. I was on the constant look-out for new player’s ahead of the first match, and I was delighted to present on Saturday 4th of August Icelandic left/right winger Birkir Bjarnason from Viking for just 875,000 pounds in my opinion a very cheap price for the already three times capped nineteen year old. He together with two other foreign were the later signings, but yet again most of my signings which had been made during the summer were foreign player’s who had to be loaned out to Wettern, but that didn’t bother me to much, to the club wasn’t paying big fees for the player’s and they were developing into very excusive talents and it was very impressing to see them return to the club during the summer, knowing that in less then two years we’d be honoured to have them in the starting eleven.

My goal ahead of the Barclay Premiership was of course mainly to not get relegated, but also to continue producing youngsters to come threw the ranks and trying to keep them at the club at the end of the season was one main factor for us if we wanted to succeed. Media was at least showing belief that we’d be able to just hold on as they tipped us to finish the season in 17th place, the spot above relegation. I knew in my heart that we could do it, but it wouldn’t be easy there would be hard times but hopefully there would be good times, and together we are strong, that was the message I sent out to the lads, and they were so very eager to start the new season.

And then it was here, the day the Southampton fans had been waiting for, the opening match of which Southampton Football Club were back in the top tier of English league football. During the past year so much had happened, both good and bad and it was such a rewarding feeling walking out onto the pitch of St. Mary’s Stadium which was packed with excited home fans, as the Premiership season 2007/2008 kicked-off.
We were pushed back a lot during the opening twenty-five minutes only having one opportunity towards the Manchester United goal, but then three minutes later an opportunity arose for us as Scott Sinclair took possession over the ball inside the centre circle, he hit a long ranged pass out to the right hand side just outside City’s penalty box to Polish international Rasiak who calmly looked up and saw Andreas Isaksson the so very tall Swedish goalkeeper misplaced, with one touch of the ball Rasiak had given us the lead, and the stadium irrupted into chants and joy.
And then thirteen minutes into the second half and City were out for another big shock when in-loaned Giuseppe Rossi scored home from an amazing free-kick just outside the penalty box which curled into the top right corner unreachable for Andreas Isaksson. Down the other end and Hilario was pulling off save after save after save, he was one of the main reasons why we won the opening game 2-0, thanks to some excellent defensive work. We’d shown the rest of the teams in the Premiership that The Saints weren’t a team to underestimate.

The day after the match we decided to have an easy training consisting of football tennis and other easy and fun things, you could see the joy in their eyes. They were so proud after yesterday’s performance and with all do they were right, they should be proud of such a performance.
It was a long journey for the next match as we travelled to Newcastle and St. James’ Park for another clash just three days after the victory against City. Newcastle and their new manager Peter Beardsley hadn’t got off to the best of starts as the fell to giants Chelsea in the opening match 2-1. We were the team that had the first real chance’s but lack of concentration up front lead to no goals and disapproval look on the team mates face’s, Hilario continued to guard the goal with his usual brilliance as we went into half time with score-line at 0-0.
I made no changes during the half time interval, and fifteen minutes into the second half and it paid off as Newcastle’s Damien Duff half-hearted pass to one of his team-mates was intercepted by Surman who played the ball forwards quickly to the right to Birkir Bjarnason who hit the ball with immense power up into the left top corner of Shay Given’s goal to give us the lead, St. James’ Park fell into total silence at the time of the goal, the only sound could be heard from the far end of the Stadium from the few thousand travelling Southampton fans.
With the player’s getting tired we were starting to make fatal mistakes which cost us dearly as Emre played the ball forwards to Scott Parker who lashed the ball behind Hilario who otherwise during the match at caught everything, as Newcastle were back in the game. But our player’s weren’t going to give up so easily, as a possible off-side Sinclair received a long ball from the back four and slotted it threw Parker and Emre forwards to Rasiak who made the hosts pay for their sloppy defending giving us the lead. There were a few tensed final minutes after the goal; I wasn’t able to watch it was too nerve-racking, and I was overjoyed when referee Andre Marriner blew his whistle for the game to end, captain Lilian Thuram rushed forwards to me to give me hug, he couldn’t belive it underdogs Southampton defeated Newcastle away from home, and just for the moment we were top of the Premiership two points ahead of Manchester United in second place.
A well-deserved break was to look forward to as the next match against West Brom was in twenty-four day’s thanks to the international break.
I was honoured, to be invited to Craig David’s house two day’s after the match in Newcastle together with my family and Nebojsa’s to be congratulated by the famous singer, who now had become a close friend of mine.
Craig was extremely happy about our opening games, and presented me with one of his own personally signed guitars a gift, I was over the moon now. Walking on the clouds up above, I thought to myself was this the same feeling that drug addicts feel whilst being high? How long would it last, how good could the future be?
The answer was simple and easy, just let the future reveal it self.

[Greenbeard]

Chapter VI - ‘Uncertainty'

All Good Comes To An End

One good thing led to another as the transfer window was closing shortly clubs around Europe were making their final signings desperate to land the player, which the club/manager had in mind. Our brilliant start to the campaign seemed to have worked it’s magic on some players abroad as I was delighted to announce Raffaele Palladino from Juventus as a new player at St. Mary’s Stadium for the rest of the season as he joined the club on loan, extending my own possibilities to choice from a bigger range of midfielders for the club.

I was very pleased that the club had five player’s called up for international duty, as Martinovic could get his first cap Serbia, during the matches on September the 8th and 12th.
Alexandre would to make his debut on that day, the 8th of September against Finland at home in their victory 2-1 and then followed up a few days later by the defeat against Portugal 1-0.

A disappointing third match in the premiership saw us lose 2-1 at home to Coca-Cola Champions West Brom, who scored two late goals to win the game. We then focused on the next match in the Carling Cup against Birmingham, which we took the lead after less then a minute thanks to Scott Sinclair, but Birmingham equalised and then took the lead. But the lad’s showed how much it meant to them and scored three goals in the final three minutes to notch up a final 4-2 victory over opponents Birmingham. I wasn’t all to impressed by the performance but the comeback it self was enough to make me forget all of the negative thoughts. Scott Sinclair’s hattrick had send be back into paradise, with the immense feeling of being top of the world, just a few days after the victory we found out that we’d play against the team which had show us the exit last year, as we were to play against West Ham at Upton Park.
At wining away against Reading wouldn’t bring me down as we yet again came back from 2-1 to win the game three – two, with Scott Sinclair scoring yet another two goals for the club, as we moved into fifth position in the league after four games.

But then it was back to earth as a draw against Portsmouth at home was the beginning of a real bad streak, with three consecutive 2-1 defeats at the hands of Blackburn, Everton and West Ham in the League Cup.
Sadly since then it’s continued downwards for quite some time only wining a few matches since the beginning of the very impressive start of the season. As you know from before Wilton Figueiredo a player of the former club I was manager over joined us on the 18th of December just before the transfer window would open during our injury crises on a free transfer, thanks to that his contract had expired. And only a week before the deal was sealed he received a Swedish citizen membership, excellent finally a real good talent we’d not need to send abroad. But with extremely tuff opponents for taking one of the two starting positions in the start eleven for each match now midway through February the twenty-five year old striker has only played one full match and has come on as a sub three times, scoring a single goal and wining the man of the match award under the same game.

But not all has been bad during the season so far, we’ve continued to have a good streak in the FA Cup as Watford were easily passed 2-0 at home on the fifth of January, that very same day we made our only signing during the transfer window, the experienced wing back/attacking midfielder from Brazil Serginho who’s contract with Italian giants AC Milan had expired during new years. Who started three times for us so far, and has currently taken over the left midfielder’s place from youngster Surman who hasn’t played to his full capacity recently. St. Mary’s Stadium was yet again host for the next round of the FA Cup this time against a much harder opponent team, by the name of Manchester City, thanks to two splendid goals from this years signing Charles-André Doudin we were able to concur City 2-1 in front of packed stadium. Seeing us move into the fifth round to meat City’s arche-rivals Manchester United yet again at Old Trafford, would the revenge feelings be too much of a burden for the player’s or could they put their act together and fight to the end, or would be able to do yet another shock.

With a match in hand we currently lie in 16th place in the league six points adrift from 18th place Cardiff, and only a few points under a secure position in tenth place, with just ten matches left of the season, could I convince the lad’s to take out a little extra, or would the season end in disaster?

[Greenbeard]

Chapter VI - ‘Uncertainty'

The Theatre of Dreams

It was a the morning of Saturday the 16th, it was a nice and sunny day in England and Manchester were I woke up from the hotel the team was living in ahead of the match against Manchester United in the FA Cup fifth round, at Old Trafford. There was the feeling of suspension in the early morning air; it was around ten o’clock when I woke up, thanks to Nebojsa hitting me over the head with a pillow.
Kick-Off was at three o’clock in the afternoon, and I still hadn’t decided the starting eleven for today’s match.
After an early breakfast together with Nebojsa in our hotel room the starting eleven had be decided, Hilário hadn’t been focused during the week that had passed whilst the young Zac Barrett who had yet to play a game for us this season, had looked splendid all week. It was joint decision to take the risk by putting the younger inexperienced Barrett in the goal, but that wasn’t the only tough question ahead of today’s match. As we were facing Manchester United, Giuseppe Rossi our in-loaned attacking midfielder from Manchester United wasn’t legible for today’s match due that he wasn’t aloud to face his own team according to the contract terms that had been signed between the two club’s, he replaced by Danny Murphy who had the experience and power we were looking for.

Kick-Off dawned upon us as the supporters started to fill the enormous and marvellous Old Trafford, the bookies expected a nearly full packed stadium for the day, a total of 76212 supporters, talk about immense atmosphere.
And they weren’t disappointed as the player’s ran out for kick-off they were cheered on by a full packed stadium, with only a fraction of what might have been six to seven thousand Southampton supporters who’d made the travel up north. Both teams had the strongest sides for today’s match.
The whistle from Howard Webb’s whistle marked the start off the game, with the home side having the first opportunity when Park Ji-Sung threaded the ball forward’s to Fagan who tried a tricky shot which didn’t go home, to the disbelieve of the home fans. In time we’d also have are our chance’s as four minutes later we got the first corner of the match but a to complicated swerve to the ball made it to hard for Scott Sinclair to head towards goal, as the home supporters could sigh in relief.
But we continued to mount on some really good pressure thanks to some excellent defending from Barrett who pulled save after save after save, as the Manchester supporters looked more and more disapproval about their teams efforts during the first half.

The teams went into the tunnel for the half-time interval with scoreline at 0-0, I was pleased with the lad’s efforts so far in the game, and I made sure they knew it during the half-time tactic talk. From inside our changing room I could hear the harsh and sharp shouts of the famous Sir Alex Ferguson who was giving his player’s a right telling off, as they hadn’t been able to score so far thanks mainly to Zac for pulling of some amazing saves which I haven’t seen English international goalkeepers such as Paul Robinson has done in a long time.
You could see the difference between which was the happier side as the teams ran out for the second half, and things were to get worse for the Scotsman. When we forced Manchester United to back down the field with Italian Palladino with the ball, he had the four defenders in front of him and Scott Sinclair, who now was taking a run, Palladino hits the ball without even looking up at Scott Sinclair this fooling three out of four Manchester United defender’s as the young Chelsea striker breaks through the Manchester defence, he looks up Van der Sar is coming out from his goal, he throes himself at the feet of the young Sinclair, who elegantly side steps the Dutch international goalkeeper and coolly shots the ball into the back of the net, the stadium becomes completely silent, the home fans look devastated, it took me and the rest of the players a while before we understood we’d scored the opening goal, as our own cheers and those of our fans slowly raised so, to a level which was impeccable for seven thousand fans to make.

But that wasn’t going to be the only time the Man United fans hearts would perish in sadness from a Scott Sinclair goal as ten minutes later he single headedly scored a goal which could resemble the goal of Maradona back in the World-Cup, in the very same match that he scored the goal which has in later times been called ‘gods hand’. Scott Sinclair picked up the ball in the centre circle from a pass from Viáfara with only four player’s left to beat he dribbled down the right flank passing with ease past Evra, to then dummy Rio Ferdinand who was so fooled that he fell over, and then Scott Sinclair was cheeky enough to slot the ball between Van der Sar’s legs two give us a second goal.

Sir Alex Ferguson then replaced Darren Fletcher for Alan Smith as Manchester United formed a 4-3-3 formation, and put our defence into a lot of pressure, but that didn’t help them out a lot. With Lilian Thuram and Chris Baird at the back neither Rooney, Smith, Klasnic of Ronaldo could get passed them, and if they did there was a young Zac Barrett who apparently hade made his mind up to not let in a single goal!
The home side’s attacking force back-fired as we were three minutes into stoppage time, when Danny Murphy the lad that had replaced Rossi for today’s game curled a free-kick from just outside the penalty box into the nearest corner, confirming Manchester United’s heavy defeat and a big shock had occurred here at the Theatre of Dreams. I was unable to speak, or do anything I was yet again walking on the clouds as I had done previously during the start of the season. Nebojsa had to pull me out of the box to go and congratulate the rest of the lad’s, who were as pleased as I was. Lilian Thuram was also honoured with the Man of The Match award, as the win was celebrated inside the changing room with champagne.

[Greenbeard]

Chapter VI - ‘Uncertainty'

The Old Trafford Haunters

And then back to reality as after the amazing win at Old Trafford the lads only had two day’s before the next match against Bolton who were bottom of the table we really needed a win here, to put space between us and the bottom five teams, but the lad’s were to tired as Bolton’s second half goal was enough to take home the win, at St. Mary’s Stadium.
And the it was time to return to Old Trafford, Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson were still shaky from the previous match, and the famous Scotsman said before hand that we needed to be treated with respect, and so true words have never been spoken so wisely before. As an excellent long range second half goal by Italian Raffaele Palladino was enough for us to win our second match at Old Trafford in just over a week! We’d be back soon with just two more weeks before our next match against Manchester United, as we now had to rest and get ready for the mid week match against Arsenal who were flying high in the league topping the table, with ease.

The lad’s played exceptionally at the Emirates Stadium, but it wasn’t enough it felt like we were playing against a team of 12 player’s as the referee disallowed two of our goals during the match for very shaky off-side decisions, as the mighty Gunner’s were to much of a challenge as they won 4-2, I was disappointed with the referee’s performance but you can’t change anything in the after-math.

I must say I was very grateful, that we’d play Sheffield United at St. Mary’s Stadium a week after the defeat against Arsenal in the FA Cup 6th round, and not one of the other bigger club’s which were in the next round. It’s amazing how much the FA Cup means to players now days, the importance and prestige is like wining the league. A big notice was that Zac Barrett was continuing his fine form, saving us constantly during matches with amazing saves, and was really booking himself a place in the fans hearts. Palladino had sadly been injured for four weeks after the match against Arsenal were he’d received treatment during half time for a twisted knee and was replaced by Wilton Figueiredo.

Three day’s before the match against Sheffield United and the tickets were already sold out, there wasn’t a single seat in the entire stadium available. Paul Jewell manager of Sheffield United hadn’t so far had a good year in the Championship since relegation during the previous year as The Blades found themselves in 13th position.
Surely this was a match that only had one possible result, a win for the Saints. I put pressure on myself during the week ahead of the match to make sure the lad’s were in the best possible shape ahead of the match, I wanted this match to be one that will forever have a place in every Southampton fans heart.

Zac Barrett, Mattia Cassani, Lilian Thuram, captain Chris Baird, Gareth Bale, Jhon Viáfara, Birkir Bjarnason, Serginho, Giuseppe Rossi, Charles-André Doudin and Scott Sinclair those were the names which were presented at St. Mary’s Stadium to start the game for Southampton in their sixth round match against The Blades, would this be a moment of history or failure?

[Greenbeard]

Chapter VII - ‘Never Underestimate The Power Of Human Will’

The Blades Are Blunt

Gareth Bale hits a poor pass forwards to Charles-Doudin the Swiss Southampton striker but the ball is intercepted by van Heerden who hit’s a long ball forwards to former Manchester United striker Webber, an early opportunity here for Sheffield United, the fans’ behind Zac Barrett are now all standing up, Webber passes the ball to the left to Viveros who hits the ball directly it’s goal bound, with force heading to the top left corner, Zac Barrett jumps, and what a save! Southampton got lucky there thanks to an amazing save by Zac Barrett, corner now for Sheffield United.

And yet again a long ball this time from Johnson to Webber who’s free on goal, a one on one situation here at St. Mary’s Stadium only four minutes into the match, but Barrett distracts the striker who hits a pitiful shot a few yards outside the right post. Southampton need to do better, if they want to win this.
French International experienced defender Lilian Thuram with the ball on the centre circle he hits a long ball forwards to Giuseppe Rossi who only has Matthew Kilgallon in front of him, the Manchester United striker hit’s the ball on first touch and it’s IN! ROSSI SCORES, AS THE STADIUM IRRUPTS IN APPLAUDS AND SHOUTS! That’s what Rikard Norling wanted from his players!

Momentarily the game is quite calm with both sides having a few chances but nothing worth mentioning as we now into the twenty-second minute of the first half Sheffield United make a mess of that free-kick as Birkir Bjarnason takes possession of the ball and passes it forwards to Giuseppe Rossi, who sends it in front of Scott Sinclair, WHO’S FREE ON GOAL! HE GOES TO THE LEFT AND HITS THE BALL IN HIS STEP CONFUSING PADDY KENNY! 2-0 for Southampton here, and things are looking good for Rikard Norling and his lads!


Oh dear things are getting worse here for the away side as Paddy Kenny’s goal-kick doesn’t go very far as Baird clears the ball forwards to Scott Sinclair, WHO’S YET AGAIN FREE FROM HIS MARKSMEN, AND WHAT A GOAL SCOTT SINCLAIR DUMMY’S PADDY AND LOBS THE BALL ELEGANTLY, amazing this Scott Sinclair that’s number three! This must be a nightmare for United.

And thanks to some world class saves, from Zac Barrett Southampton still have the lead 3-0 with ten minutes left on the clock, this looks comfortable for Rikard Norling and his lads.
Shelton picks out Eddie Johnson with a lovely pass inside the Southampton penalty box but Mattia Cassani is just behind the American striker, WHO’S TACKLED FROM BEHIND, AND THANKS A PENALTY!
BUT WHAT’S THIS MATTIA CASSANI IS SENT TO THE CHANGING ROOMS A STRAIGHT RED CARD!

Could this possibly be Sheffield United’s opportunity to get back in the game? Certainly at least a consultation goal, Zac Barrett has had an excellent game in the Southampton goal saving everything, can he do it yet again? Shelton step’s up to take the so very important penalty, HE RUNS FORWARDS ZAC BARRETT GOES TO THE LEFT, AND WHAT A SAVE BARRETT CLUTCHES THE BALL JUST UNDER THE LEFT CROSSBAR, WHAT A SAVE! ZAC BARRETT, what a kid!
The Sheffield United player’s and fans head’s face towards to ground they know they’ve lost, Charles-Doudin with a final opportunity here for Southampton, NO IT HIT’S THE POST.

As the referee blows the final whistle, the Southampton fans together with Rikard Norling celebrate ecstatically on the pitch, as Zac Barrett is presented with man of the Match award!

[Justified]

Nicely written story so far. The graphics add the icing on the cake really. KUTGW :thup:

[Greenbeard]

Justified, on May 25 2007, 03:11 PM, said:

Nicely written story so far. The graphics add the icing on the cake really. KUTGW :thup:

Thank mate for the comment I've be nearly desperate for one, got a feeling no one reads this..

[Marius Zaliukas]

This is fb as usual mate :thup:

Oh and about your PM, I'm going to add more to it tomorrow so I'll probably post it over there then :cool: :thup:

[Ratpack]

This is as good a story I've ever seen. Genuinely.

[Greenbeard]

Chapter VII - ‘Never Underestimate The Power Of Human Will’

United Nightmare

Seven day’s after the win in the sixth round of the FA CUP, less then a month since the first meeting between the two teams we’d done it again! Both sets of Manchester United and Southampton fans will always remember the three matches during the 16th of February and the 8th of March during 2008, as Southampton became Manchester United’s biggest nightmare.

We did it yet again, it was an amazing feeling and it only gets better every time it happens, this time it was at St. Mary’s Stadium as Scott Sinclair gave us the lead in the 34th minute, sending the home crowd into heaven. Then four minutes later Sir Alex Ferguson would probably regret not allowing Giuseppe Rossi play against his own side, when Danny Murphy scored an amazing bicycle-kick near the penalty spot, this was enough to win the match, as Wayne Rooney’s second half strike wasn’t enough for The Red Devil’s who lost their third consecutive match against the Saints.
This wasn’t the only big thing that was written about in English media during the present time as Jose Mourinho’s regime at Stafford Bridge finally came to an end with Chelsea in a disappointing seventh place, he was replaced by former AC Milan manager Carlo Ancelotti who’s rumoured to receive 45 thousand pounds a week for the job.

Thanks to two amazing goals from Wilton Figueiredo in a very entertaining match at The Riverside Stadium, we yet had achieved our goal as hard fighting Middlesborough had to share the point with us with the final score-line at 3-3, putting now seven points between ourselves and 18th placed Wigan.
Chelsea with their new manager had started to go back to their previous wining streak, and facing them wasn’t a thing a manager in my position would prefer to play again with the league soon coming to an end. Both Wilton Figueiredo and Scott Sinclair were out for today’s match, and things just didn’t work for us at all, already 3-0 down after 56 minutes and then a red card, then the rest was just something I as a manager wished it was only one of those bad nightmares. 6-0 down two minutes into stoppage time, and then a horrible tackle on our youngster Gareth Bale which would see him out for a week, gave my the shivers.

I’d to secure my future with the Southampton Football Club on Monday the 31st of March 2008, the Chair Michael Wilde had called me to his office, and he informed me that he and the rest of the board was extremely pleased about our season so far in the premiership, and he’d like me to sign a four year contract on a three times bigger salary then my current, in other words £15,250/week. And a wage budget for the next season would be approximately around £ 240,000/week compared the current £155,00/week. Plus a big increase in my transfer budget would see me have a somewhat around the region of £7,000,000 to fund the purchase of new players. I was overjoyed and accepted the offer without, considering it more then a few seconds. Nebojsa Novakovic was also offered a new contract to 2012, getting five times his previous wage now cashing in a 5,500 pounds a week.

The week that would follow would be a very challenging one, one which would decided the future of the club, as we faced three teams in a week including the previous match against Chelsea. Just two days after extending my contract at St. Mary’s Stadium we’d battle out a fabulous win against Aston Villa, as new youngster who’d been given the chance to impress took the step forwards, and showed what quality and heart they possessed for the game. As Per Weihrauch, Borja and Simon Gillett helped out to see us win, with a dominating final score of 4-0! This putting us in 16th place and back to seven points between 18th place Wigan and us.

Sadly the previous Chelsea youngster was injured during training ahead of the match against West Ham and would be out for four months, but there would be a new face ahead of the match against West Ham, as previous Atlético Madrid defensive midfielder Costinha joined us after a week’s trail, on a two years contract. But he’d not face West Ham at the St. Mary’s Stadium that bright and shiny Saturday in April. Two excellent first half goals from Scott Sinclair and Raffaele Palladino saw us going into the half-time interval with the lead 2-0, the likes of Shaun Wright-Phillips and Anton Ferdinand and captain Nigel Reo-Coker just couldn’t break through our so very stable defence. You could see it was getting to their nerves and they clearly underestimated us, just a week or two ago they’d played the FA Cup reply match against our opponents in the semi-final, Liverpool. And lost two goals to nil, and when we won the game with the same score-line I started to dream of glorious scene’s at the massive Wembley in just a weeks time, as we’d fight for our place in the FA Cup Final! With five matches left of the Premiership, there was a ten points difference between relegation and us. Surely we would be able to achieve another year in the premiership.

[Greenbeard]

Chapter VII - ‘Never Underestimate The Power Of Human Will’

History In The Making

Saturday 12th of April 2008, a day which would go down in the history books, it was the day of the Semi-Final of the English FA Cup, between Liverpool current leaders of the Premiership, and the passionate Southampton who found themselves in 16th place in the league.
The teams had faced each other once before in the league so far since I, Rikard Norling had taken over as the club’s manager at St. Mary’s Stadium, and that was back in the late December a match which Liverpool totally dominated and won 3-0 at Anfield, a game I’d prefer to forget about.

Roughly only an hour and a half drive from our own stadium was, today’s host stadium the massive new English national stadium, the prestigious Wembley. This would be the place where the battle between myself and Rafa Benítez and his lad’s would face my own. Before hand’s we’d be tipped to love massively, the odds against us wining were enormous.
For the second FA Cup match in a row I’d take another big risk, by putting in young inexperienced Borja replacing Chris Baird who’d start the match on the bench. But he wasn’t the only regular who’d miss out on this very important match, Raffaele Palladino received the dismal news that he’d start on the bench as Scott Sinclair and Giuseppe Rossi would start upfront for us, as Danny Murphy previous Tottenham striker who’d done ever so well for us during cup matches would start the game as our attacking midfielder.
Benítez had no injury problems and started with the following players on the field for Liverpool, who totally dominated us in the stand’s with more then two thirds of the stadium’s seats going to their fans. Reina, Fritz, Riise, Carragher, Agger, Gerrard, Pandev, Sissoko, Alonso, Crouch and Voronin.
I was surprised to find out that Dirk Kuyt in my opinion Liverpool’s strongest striker on the bench for the start of the match.

As the match began, we had the first opportunity as a poor pass from Agger back to Reina is intercepted by Rossi who’s got Scott Sinclair to the right of him, he passes to the Chelsea youngster, WHOSE GOT AN OPEN GOAL, WILL HE SCORE? HE DOES IT’S IN SOUTHAMPTON TAKE THE LEAD AFTER JUST THREE AND A HALF MINUTES, WHAT A START TO THE GAME!

My heart was pounding ever so hard, I was so overjoyed that I could barely shout out my happiness, and was forced to strain myself to sit down. I wouldn’t get a single moment of rest as Peter Crouch came ever so close only minutes later, when he received an excellent cross from Gerrard but wasn’t able to get it under the bar.
Zac Barrett made an amazing reflex save on Crouch’s header just moment later, and then another good save when he pounced on the rebound shot from Sissoko.
When the referee blew the half-time whistle I still hadn’t understood that we were in the lead at Wembley against the league leaders, it was like a dream. Nebojsa had to pinch me to convince me that this wasn’t a dream but for real. As we marched our for the second half the familiar face of Dirk Kuyt ran out onto the green turf of Wembley, my heart sank the Dutch international had already scored twenty goals this season, and I feared he’d add to his tally against us in the second half.

‘We’re now into the 64th minute here at Wembley between Liverpool and Southampton who are in a surprising lead after an early first half goal from Scott Sinclair. Sinclair has the ball on the Liverpool half he plays it out to the left Giuseppe Rossi, who crosses the ball back towards Scott Sinclair whose just around the penalty spot, he jumps up but can’t reach it as Xabi Alonso gets a head to hit and heads it out to the left, to an unmarked Birkir Bjarnason, who elegantly CHIPS THE BALL INTO THE AIR, AND WHACKS THE BALL ON THE VOLLEY INTO THE FAR CORNER, WHAT A GOAL! BY THE ICELANDIC INTERNATIONAL, SOUTHAMPTON NOW LEAD 2-0 WHAT AN AMAZING PERFORMANCE BY NORLING’S LADS!”

For a moment I thought my heart had stopped, the next thing I knew Rossi, Bjarnason and Sinclair had all jumped on my, ‘we are going to the finals I’m sure, we did it! We did it’ were the words of the goalscorer Birkir. I was in tears, tears of happiness, I know the whistle hadn’t gone but the lad’s had totally dominated the match and the Liverpool player’s all looked like they’d given up. I couldn’t control my self, but I’d be forced too only moments later when Serginho called for me to take him out, I replaced him by Raffaele Palladino and that’s about all I remember. The rest of the match until referee John Patterson blew the final whistle is just totally black, I’ve never been so happy to hear the sound of the whistle blow, never in my life.
The players ran towards me after the final whistle and hoisted me up into the air, the crowd behind us started to chant St. Norling, St. Norling and I soaked it all in, we were in the final of the FA Cup!

I woke up the following morning, pleading that what had just happened wasn’t just one of my marvellous dreams, as I sank down into my chair at the breakfast, my cell phone rank. I’d really not expected to receive a phone call from this particular person; it was Craig David’s who wanted to congratulate me for the victory, and for making the club proud. A shiver went past my spine; I hadn’t dreamt it was true Southampton Football Club were in the FA Cup final!

[Greenbeard]

Chapter VII - ‘Never Underestimate The Power Of Human Will’

Securing The Contract

There was no time to get carried away, in the after math of the victory against Liverpool in the FA Cup as we’d face two very important and decisive matches first against Charlton the team that are under us in the league, and Cardiff who don’t have much to play for, as they’ve already been relegated.
First up was Charlton which I thought before hand would be the toughest of the two matches, at St. Mary’s Stadium, but the guys didn’t seem to have any trouble of beating them as Raffaele Palladino opened the scoreline on the 17th minute with an excellent long range shot which caught Daniel Fernandes in the Charlton goal off-guard. Our striking hero Scott Sinclair then followed up the Italian’s goal as he headed the ball past the Charlton keeper, just four minutes later from Bjarnason’s cross. This put us twelve points ahead of the last relegation spot with four games left, theoretically we’d already secured the contract, with a ten goal difference advantage over Wigan.

And a 2-2 draw against Cardiff away from home secured the Premiership contract for next year, as we now moved up into fifteenth place in the league and thirteen points above relegation, with only three matches left to play. It didn’t bother me that Cardiff had been given a cheap final goal in the dieing seconds, we’d secured the contract and that was all I could of asked for. Another good news for us was that Chelsea weren’t playing to their best at the moment and their star Robben had been injured against Liverpool and would be out for four months.
On Saturday the 26th of April we’d yet again face Liverpool, who were definitely out for revenge over the FA Cup Semi-Final exit just recently, but surprisingly it was yet again us who’d take the lead as Scott Sinclair shot dipped just under the bar, in the 17th minute. We’d continue to score goals as Scott Sinclair notched up a true hattrick with strikes on the 38th and 42nd minute. Talk about that Southampton and the player’s were making a name for themselves at the moment, first Manchester United three times and we were out-witting Liverpool as if they were a team from the conference, with the likes of Scott Sinclair! Amazing, was the word to describe the feeling as we won the encounter 3-0, totally amazing, thanks to us the champion race was yet again wide open with two matches left, Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool all were up for it, with only a point between the three teams.

The following day would be one of my most proudest moments as a manager up to date, as I together with the club could confirm that the supporters favourite player Scott Sinclair who was previously last year on loan and this year as well, was to join our club during the summer transfer window, for £ 7,250,000 plus that Chelsea would receive 50 % if we’d ever sell the youngster to another club. It was worth it every penny the lad was worth it, the supporters went crazy, and were ecstatic over the announcement and I yet again was crowned with the name Saint Norling. It was a great moment for me as a manager to be able to sign one of my most favourite player’s for such a little fee, in my opinion. And things got even better the youngster as he was awarded the Young Player of the Mont for April, and I was delighted to receive the Manager of the month for wining four out of previous five matches.

Only two matches left of the Premiership and then it would be time for the FA Cup, and holiday for myself as other players would join their international sides as the European Championship began during the summer break.
The youngster who’d just put pen to paper scored the only goal in the game away from home against Wigan. This moved us into fourteenth position in the league with only Spurs left to play at St. Mary’s Stadium.

A packed home stadium was host for the final match in the premier league for us during the 2007/2008 season campaign and what a show we had the for the home fans, Giuseppe Rossi scored the opening goal on the 33rd minute, as we lead during the half-time interval.
Spurs came out the better side as Jermain Defoe clinched the equaliser just three minutes into the second half, but it wasn’t long before the Italian youngster worked his magic yet again as seven minutes after the equaliser he scored yet again, to give us the lead.
But lack of concentration gave Defoe and Tottenham a second equalizer which long looked like to be the final goal of the game, as four minutes before full time Lilian Thuram made the foolish mistake of tackling from behind two footed, and received his marching orders, thus meaning that he’d miss out of the FA Cup final, my disappointment wouldn’t last long as, three minutes into stoppage time Scott Sinclair amazed the football world with an amazing bicycle-kick from just outside the penalty box, this gave us the win as we moved up to eleventh place in the league, an impressive season for us!
Liverpool were able to hang-on their lead in the league as they won the with a three point difference to second placed Arsenal, Scott Sinclair was one of few Southampton player’s who were given awards as he collected the English Young Player of the Season award, for his immense performances during the past season.
We had other things in mind now, with our goal the FA Cup final, could we book a ticket to Europe? Leaving Chelsea with no European Cup’s next year?

[The Skyler]

This is absolutely amazing Greenbeard! Superb narration. :thup: :clap:

[Greenbeard]

Chapter VII - ‘Never Underestimate The Power Of Human Will’

The Golden Era

It’s been a tiring week in Southampton for not only myself but for my family and the people around me. With the mach against Chelsea dawning upon us, stress has become a growing problem in my daily-life. I have my family and the players to thank for putting up with me; I know it can’t have been the easiest thing.
Finally it was the moment we’d all been dreaming of since the start of the FA Cup campaign, the final, at Wembley. Many questions and different decision where forced to be made ahead of the final as our vital scorer Scott Sinclair was illegible due to his contract to face his current club, and then there was Lilian Thuram a vital person in our defence the lad with the experience, the one which was to take the step up and show the others, as a leading model for the younger ones was suspended due to his reckless tackle in the semi-final.
And for the third consecutive FA Cup match, Spanish youngster Borja who’d recently been capped with Spain’s Under-19’s would together with Baird form the centre two at the back. Wilton Figueiredo would be forced to start the match on the bench as I made a daring decision of starting Charles-André Doudin upfront with Giuseppe Rossi, who was to play his final match in the red and white-stripped shirt.

Wembley was sold out for the match, and it was perfect conditions for a football game, 23 C.
Both the players and myself were relieved when the familiar sound of the referee’s whistle signalled for the teams to walk onto the green turf of the stadium, the lads were all fired up ready to go and so was I.
Such an amazing excusive feeling, tranquillising I must say, the sun shining down on us as we walked out to the raw of the fans, I was caught by the dazzling sea of the red and white, which to my own surprise seemed to be the colours of majority inside the stadium.

John Patterson’s whistle signalled the start of the historical match, which took place on Saturday the 17th of May 2008, the FA Cup final between favourites Chelsea and the underdogs Southampton.
Neither of the teams seemed to want to take the other team on, my player’s had been given the order to during the first twenty-five minutes to start defensively forcing Chelsea to put on the pressure and tiring out their player’s, hopefully without conceding any goals.
Chelsea played exactly as we wanted them to pushing on a lot during the opening minutes of the game creating many of a chances, our defence might not be the strongest in England but Zac Barrett was like a giant in goal, already in the fourth minute he’d pulled of two of the most quality saves one after the other, as we continued to hold on. We had our own big chance when Viáfara hit a free kick from just outside the penalty box, which rattled the crossbar, our fans went wild after that and the atmosphere was immense inside the stadium. Constant attacking play from Chelsea was finally starting to show it’s toll on the blue-shirted player’s but that wasn’t enough as Zac Barrett was forced to make yet another great save when Joe Cole came free on the edge of our penalty box, thankfully there was no other blue-shirted player to score from the rebound.
Zac Barrett was quick to pounce on the rebound and launched the ball forwards to the right hand flank to Mattia Cassani, the hard work from the Chelsea player’s was not only showing in their pace but also their lack of concentration and co-ordination, as no one seemed to see Serginho storming down the opposite flank, no one but Mattia Cassani, who crossed the ball to the far post where the Brazilian was running towards, with an excellent touch of the ball Serginho’s shot blasted past Cech in the Chelsea goal, as the sea of red and blue irrupted into joy, and chants.

With the underdogs Southampton who just recently had received the a** kicked 6-0, by Chelsea had now taken a surprising lead, the Chelsea player’s were in a state of shock and so were their fans, I knew of this disadvantage that Chelsea had, they always seemed to lose their rhythm in their style of play, if they weren’t the side to score the first goal. They were unable to mount any serious goal opportunity during the rest of the first half, as we walked trough the tunnel into the changing rooms for the half-time interval.
I’ve never seen so happy player’s players in my life, smiles from ear to ear was on the face of every player. They knew they had Chelsea in their palm all they needed to do was score one more goal, and the match would be out of Chelsea’s reach. A very displeased Carlo Ancelotti, could be heard from the other changing room, Chelsea had missed out on the Champions League places and the UEFA Cup places, so their European Cup stake was depending on this vital match, should they lose then the possibility of the Inter-Toto Cup was their only way to Europe.

The Chelsea players were still shaken as the second half started; neither team had made any replacement. And nothing seemed to work probably for Chelsea, as the experienced trio who were now coming of age replaced the young Kalou, Bodmer and Zapater as Drogba, Ballack and Shevchenko came on. I knew how lethal Drogba and Shevchenko could be together, but Baird and Borja where getting the better of them, as with four minutes left of the game Giuseppe had received a ball from Borja who’d intercepted Drogba’s pass, and was running down the left flank near the corner flag in the penalty box was the figure’s of Birkir Bjarnason and Charles-André Doudin. Rossi hit a cross towards Doudin, but a fine lunging tackle by Terry intercepted it, but the ball yet again came to feat of Giuseppe Rossi and this time Bjarnason was unmarked at the far post, as Rossi crossed a ball, to the Icelandic international who whacked the ball into the top left corner, as history was made. Giants Chelsea were defeated and there was no way they could get back into the game. Tears of joy ran down the side of my cheek as the whistle was blown for full-time the golden era of Southampton Football Club had just begun, here at Wembley Stadium, as the opportunity of Europe and the UEFA Cup was a reality for us next season, and yet another big game in the English Community Shield match against Liverpool the league Champions on Sunday 10th of August.

It was an unbelievable feeling, as captain of the day Serginho raised the FA Cup trophy into the air after receiving it from the prince of England, in his final match ever! As he’d later take the decision to retire from football later during the summer. I’d never been happier in my life, and what better way could I enjoy it then together with Nebojsa and the player’s and of course most importantly my wife, and by her side my two daughters.

[Greenbeard]

Chapter VIII – ‘Life at Southampton’

Spending The Money

The previous season had ended in the most glorious possibly way as we’d won the FA Cup trophy back, for the first time since 1976. It was an immense feeling that I’ll never forget. But football season wasn’t totally over for many of the player’s in the top English football league, as the European Championship’s in Switzerland and Austria were to embark very soon. And with the club battling for Europe next year I’d not get too much of a holiday having to spend most of my free time scouting for new talents and signing other more experienced ones.
After what must be my greatest achievement of the field, just before the FA Cup final by signing English youngster Scott Sinclair for a mere 7,25 million pounds, things were looking very good, even though at that very moment I had no money left in the transfer kitty to make any new signings.

After a quick talk with Chairman of the club, Michael Wilde and a few other discussions with a few stockholders and the famous singer Craig David’s, I was honoured to be given yet another fourteen million pounds to spend on. The club expected some big names, and told me not to disappoint them.
I made sure not to, as my first three signings after Scott Sinclair were all free, with Freddy Eastwood the twenty-four year old striker who’d been scoring fifty-three league goals in the past two seasons for his former club Southend in the Coca-Cola Championship, the now very popular striker hade made his mind up that he’d not sign a new contract and left the club for us.
The next name to join Southampton Football was more of a familiar one around Europe as I signed Sebastian Kehl a defensive midfielder from German side, Borussia Dortmund on a free transfer to give Costinha some competition. Then there was the young Fernandes Ricardo of Chelsea who joined us on a free transfer, but left for our feeder club, Bournemouth for the rest of the season on loan.
Ricardo wasn’t the only Chelsea player to join us as I was delighted to sign a possible future Steven Gerrard, by the name Michael Woods from Chelsea for 2,3 million pounds, many people thought that I’d wasted the money on the youngster who only had been capped with the English Under-19’s and had never set foot on the field with the Chelsea shirt, but during his previous season with Birmingham in the Championship the youngster had impressed many the like, so I’m hoping to see a lot of talent from him.

I rounded up the transfer window spending most of my remaining budget when I signed Anthony Vanden Borre the youngster who’d impressed at a young age in Belgium and in their international side together with co-defender Vincent Kompany who now plays for HSV, for a staggering 7,5 million pounds.
With Serginho putting his football shoes on the shelf and now taking over a staff position at the club, I’d need to sign a new attacking right midfielder, and who else could have been better then signing French international Ludovic Giuly on a free transfer as his contract with the giants Barcelona had expired.
My final permanent signing was successful much thanks to the club’s new Scout Faustino Asprilla the former Columbian international, who whilst scouting the continent South America, found a Michel Schmoller at Brazilian at Figueirense, whose Chairman Paul Prisco Paraiso was delightful to sign pen to paper on a 375,000 fee for the young centre defender, who in Brazil was tagged to become the new Lúcio.

In the mist of all of the transfers which I’d honourably had signed for the club, the European Championships had been played with the World Cup Champions Italy wining on penalty’s in the final against Holland who missed three out of their four penalties. It had been a pitiful performance yet again from the English national side, who got of the worst possible start in Group C, as Thierry Henry scored a hattrick to disappoint the England side, the very same match our youngster Scott Sinclair made his debute for England seventy-seven minutes into the game.
Things then changed as a win against Croatia 2-1 and a 5-0 thumping against Bulgaria saw England into the Quarter Finals, against arch rivals Germany. A late goal by former Chelsea defender Robert Huth the hundred and twentieth minute saw the game go to the dreaded penalties an outcome which for decades have haunted the English national team, but thanks to two amazing saves from former Leeds United goalkeeper Paul Robinson, the haunted penalty shoot-out went England’s way as all four of the England takers scored their penalties with their next oppositions to be Holland, in the Semi-Finals. Yet again Extra-time was needed, but this time Ryan Babel’s goal in the 106th minute was enough to secure the Dutch a place in the final, with England yet again missing out on a big international event’s final.

And for my own country Sweden, the European Championships were a big humiliation for the country and the national football side, as they lost all three matches only scoring a single goal in the devastating defeat 6-1 to Holland. The only high point for Sweden or actually myself was that Wilton Figueiredo was capped twice during the Euros.

During the previous year I’d missed out on many young talent’s which I’d love to have brought to the club on a season loan, but this year I didn’t make the same mistake, a Mexican youngster by the name of Giovanni dos Santos had during the past few years had my attention, I’d missed out on him two years a row as he joined Italian side’s Cagliari and Napoli but this year I succeeded, and with the pacey youngster upfront in what was Giuseppe Rossi’s previous position Southampton Football Club, where yet again a big side in English Football.