Report from Somersets AGM

After the email i recieved from Somerset asking to attend the AGM to see where and if the club is heading for 2013 my thoughts were gloom. The rumors were flying as all ways in any sport and some of them were sounding bad.
So after turning up and seeing atleast 55 members from the club my thoughts soon changed, Somerset had in presence 5 life members a full commitee and alot of supporters.
Also in attendance were FFT CEO John Boulis and Coaching directer for the N/W Blais Fagon ( i hope that is correct).
The night started with finances and FFT costs, I didn't realise how much it was to run a club for one year,A LOT. John was peppered with alot of questions and answered them with a profesional manner.The one that stuck in my mind was, If you look at the average rego for the year, Around $300. Break it down to the number of training nights and game days you attend and it works out to be about $5 a session in which you cant even buy a tripple cheese burger for.
So maybe at the end of the day rego's are not that bad.

                             John Boulis answering a question from president Nigel Brown last night
Also John spoke highley of the new V Leauge and where it is at and where they hope to be in three years.In FFT's eyes the NPL need to exist to be the feeder of players to the V Leauge. I asked the question about the rumor of a few clubs struggling for numbers and his replie was"We can not really confirm that until the V Leauge teams name their final 20 and hopefully there may be some fall out from that.
I really hope this is true because even he said numbers are bleak at some clubs.
I really feel after the AGM last night,Somerset are in a better position now on and off the feild to what was first thought.Mainly to the hard effort Nigel has put in to rebuild from the top down.

                              Some more of the strong turn out. Plus the standing area was full aswell

As for the Statewide cup game next saturday, YES FFT had named Somerset to play Launceston United on the 9th of Febuary. As both clubs agreed that they were not ready. A time and date is being discussed as we speak.But it has to be played before the end of Feburay to allow FFT to do the next draw.

Sorry for the bad spelling but you get the picture.

Rumour Mill Part Two

Feel free to share the goss on the grape vine again.

We can't figure out how to make the old rumour mill stick to the top, so you can all start over.

Big Talking point might be the Somerset recruits and word that Burnie will only feild a NPL and U18 side in 2013.

Welcome as always, the educated prediction's for ladder placings in both the NPL and Victory League, they are always intersting to go back to later in the year.

Personally I predict a non Victory League club to win the NPL.

Northern Clubs to face off in Qualifying Round of State Wide Cup.

The Johnson's are rumoured to be returning
to the sport, but at Somerset, and could
be named for the State Cup clash

Somerset and Launceston Untied will need to rally their troops and new recruits early this year, if they are to progress in the State wide cup and earn a chance to do battle with the Victory League Clubs.

The two find themselves in the Qualifying rounds due to their placing in the NPL in 2012.  The top six sides automatically qualify from the North and South Premier Leagues, with all other entries needing to progress through the qualifying round.

Burnie did not enter the State Wide Cup this season.

Launceston came out of the hat first, followed immediately by the Sharks, ensuring a Northern faceoff at Birch Avenue, on the unusually early date of Saturday the 9^th of February, just before the Hudson Cup starts.

The two sides have just over a week to prepare now, and the early date will have a big say in the outcome.

Launceston’s form has been solid during the Mies Family Cup, and may have the edge over Somerset with regards to preparation, however Somerset are rumoured to have recruited well in the off season, and could yet boast some names from the 2011 Burnie side.

The other fixtures are all Southern affairs with the Taroona playing  Nelson, Beachside going head to head with Victory League club Glenorchy Knights, in what is sure to be the match of the round and
Southern FC hosting University.  Southern fixtures will be played on Monday the 11^th of Feb, Regatta day in the south.

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In other Somerset news, Somerset will hold an open club meeting on Wednesday the 30^th with FFT Officials and local councillors to discuss the difficulties the club faces this season.

We understand Somerset is struggling with the costs of owning their own facilities and the player vacuum caused by the inaugural Victory League.

Water costs have sky rocketed in the past 4 years, not to mention the costs of maintenance and electricity, while there will be no Eaves on the Somerset team sheets in 2013, with Casey and Bobby Likely to be at Devonport’s Victory League side along with Brodie Denehey

Cardigan Street has undergone another major overhaul  to try and improve the playing surface which has clearly not copped with the winter conditions in the past few years, whilst the drainage is yet to be tested, I have wondered across the new surface, and I don’t hold particularly high hopes at this stage.

Launceston’s Birch Avenue, which also struggles with the winter rains, was drained a few years back but still battles in patches, but in preparation for this match and the 2913 Hudson Cup, should be in far better nick thanks to a new sprinkler system installed late in 2012.

Practice Match Results



NTCA was the venue for today's matches, the first time the
club has been able to access the ground for pre season
matches.

Northern Rangers hosted South Hobart in some trial matches today at the NTCA ground, the first time Rangers have ever been able to host a pre season practice game, due to cricket pitches.  With the new ground layout, Rangers now provide a full size pitch away from the cricket pitch area, which enables the club to host games there without interrupting cricket.

The first match was between the two clubs youth development sides, South Hobart opened the scores against the run of play, and scored a second in the second third period of play.

Rangers hit back though through Chris Collins but that was to be the final score, 2-1 to South Hobart, a good hard hit out for the two clubs.

The main game was a noticeable notch above, with both clubs having a good hard crack at each other.  South were defiantly better organised and fitter, and scored the first goal after 20 minutes through Nick Morton who chipped the ball over the keeper from the edge of the 18 yard box.

South scored a second after 35 minutes, and threatened to run away with the game when Andy Brennan scored a 22 yard thunder bolt into the top corner.

Rangers steadied and regained control of the mid field, and Mark Christy made some sensational runs down the wings. Josh Burke set up Tams for a tap in to get Rangers back in the match, from a quickly taken free kick at halfway.

South scored late direct from a free kick thanks to Darcy Hall to make it 3-1.

Brennan and  Morton were strong for South, while McCarragher, Tams, Omenihu and Demeijer were strong for Rangers.

Northern Rangers to Battle South Hobart at the NTCA.

Ricardo Gugliotti in action for Rangers
against the NTC in a trial match
last week.

Northern Rangers will host South Hobart tomorrow (23^rd of Jan) at the NTCA ground in Launceston as the two clubs play two trial matches on the new NTCA grounds.

The first game will be a youth match starting at 11am, with the second a more senior side going head to head at 1pm.

Neither side will be at full strength, but will use the game as a chance to further fine tune their players who are available to play.

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Adrian Foot has signed with Devonport
from Ulverstone.

In other trial match news, Devonport have a few games booked in the coming weeks.  On the  2^nd of February the strikers will play two matches against Hobart Olympia at Valley Road, a Premier League match at 12:30 and a full blown Victory League hit out at 2:30pm.

Coach Chris McKenna said he would play the best available squad against Olympia across two 45 minute halves. 

“We will play as much like the real stuff as we can, there is no point mucking about anymore, this is a Victory League match after all” said Mckenna.

Strikers will then play Northern Rangers in a Victory League trial match the following weekend kicking off at 5pm also at Valley Road on the 9^th of February.

Victory League Squads are required to officially name their squads by the 15^th of February.

If your club has any news or info, please feel free to send it though to us.



Great Write up in weekends Advocate Newspaper.

Check it out @ http://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/1244832/strikers-just-have-one-goal-to-win/?cs=88

Launceston City-Mies Family cup results

Here are the results in what was a great day of football.

City 0 united 2

Devonport 1 rangers 0

United 1 rangers 0

Devonport 2 city 0

City 1 rangers 4

Devonport 3 united 0

The Mies Cup was won by Devonport for the second year running, with Ben Foote from Devonport taking out the MVP as voted by the referees. The Mies Cup and MVP award was presented to the recipients by Launceston Juventus /  City Life Members, Peter & Christine Mies.

Each Club took the opportunity to field youthful squads and there were some established senior players missing.

Devonport named a strong squad with a blend of youth, complimented by regular senior players, such as their off season recruits Brayden Mann &  the Foote brothers from Ulverstone and Bobby & Casey Eaves from Somerset. They again proved too strong and are showing strong preseason form, which augurs well for them as the first round of the Victory League fast approaches.

NPL club, Launceston United capped a fine tournament by finishing runners up to Devonport, with Northern Rangers third and Launceston City fourth.

All Clubs enjoyed the opportunity to have a run early on in the season.

Devonport Win Mies Family Cup.

I have not seen or heard anything official from Launceston City regarding the cup, I was not able to attend, but have heard Devonport won the comp by finishing on top of the tournament ladder ahead of Launceston United, Northern Rangers and Launceston City ( Don’t know which order either)

I have also been told they won it without conceding a goal, which would please the Valley Road brains trust I’m sure.

I honestly wanted to publish the results, but I (and assume everyone else) have been offered no official information at all.

Congratulations to Devonport on retaining their title and Launceston City for running a valuable pre season cup.

Launceston City Release Mies Family Cup Update.

Ben Foot in action in the 2012 Mies Family Cup, will he will
feature this year in the Devonport Side?

Launceston City FC is proud to present the 2013 Mies Family Cup, a Football Tournament for senior teams to be held at Mitsubishi Park.

The objective is to provide participating clubs/teams with valuable preseason competition to try new structures, gain match fitness and to enjoy a fun festival like atmosphere.

More info:

1. No team entry fee

2. Date - Saturday 19th January

3. Teams will play a round robin tournament with the team that has accumulated the most points at the conclusion of all games declared the winner. (3 Points Win / 1 Point draw)

4. If leading teams are tied on same points and goal difference, winner will be decided on penalties.

5. Maximum 18 players per Team

6. Games will be 2 x 25 minute halves with a new game each hour

7. Games are full interchange – not substitution

8. Prize money: 1st place $200.00

ROSTER

LCFC v United 930am

DEV v Rangers 1030am

Rangers v United 1130am

Break

DEV v LCFC 1.00 pm

LCFC v Rangers 2.00pm

United v DEV 3.00pm

Further info

·        Last year’s players are still covered under last year’s registration. If there are any new players who will be competing in the Mies Cup then they will need to complete the temporary registration process through FFT

·        Team sheets will be supplied by LCFC and will need to be completed and handed to the match manager before each game

·         There will be a player of the tournament voted by the referees

·         $2 entry fee for spectators and players

·         BBQ / bar and full canteen available on Saturday

·         There will be a presentation to the winner of the tournament and the

·         MVP at 4.30pm

FFT and Northern Rangers to host Archie Thompson at the NTCA.

Football Federation. Tasmania in conjunction with Northern Rangers Football Club will host an appearance of Socceroo and Melbourne Victory star Archie Thompson at the NTCA Ground, Launceston from 12noon on Monday 7 January.  Registered players aged 6 to 16 are welcome to come along and have a kick with Archie and get their Melbourne Victory or Socceroos gear signed.

Archie has made the trip ahead of the Hyundai A-League blockbuster at Aurora Stadium that will see Melbourne Victory play top of league Central Coast Mariners.  The match is on Saturday 12 January at 5.30pm.

Tickets for Tasmania's annual slice of A-League action are still available through Ticketmaster.