OK guys
A few have commented on the possible addition of a new player and the club would like a quick answer so it’s only fair to handle this democratically as possible.
The facts
1. We have 19 registered, with John likely out for the season (although he’s not giving it up that easily) .
2. The other Helensburgh teams have 21 each and want us to share the burden of at least one extra player.
3. Sasha, the star striker from the Sweat Hogs last season can’t play with them this year because he’s underage so therefore qualifies for us and would like to join our squad.
4. Sasha can’t train with us, and says he will only play as a striker.
5. This will probably mean less game time for all of us but more goals.
We have until Thursday morning to let the club know.
If you don’t bother voting I’ll assume this means you don’t care and you will be included as in support of the club’s request to allow him to play.
Vote by replying to tony via email or leaving your comment below.
This is the forum in which to discuss the matter.
In other news: The new kit will be available at training on Wednesday. Socks are not included. They are the same as last season and for the newcomers, they will be on sale at the clubhouse for $10 a pair before Saturday’s game.
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29 comments:
Love to play but happy to sit out and be linesman. I now know exactly what the offside rule is....
I think another player would be handy,and more goal scoring ability would be good ,ps no offence to any of our strike force.the player in question didn't play against us but i saw him play so nice balls to his strike partners!!!!!Ian
I am happy to include another player. We have been hit by injury already, and if last season is anything to go by, plenty of guys (including myself) will be injured or away at some point. Sean
Im happy to have an extra player. be nice if he could come to training, every now and agin, so we could get to know him. fergus
From John Brandman
Please put it on record that my view is that because we are organised and dedicated enough to have a squad that turns up to EVERY game, (not just the home ones) and this plus the commitment to training was clearly stated as the 'mould' for the Coastal Hogs we should not destroy the enthusiasm and enjoyment for playing soccer by having too many players registered. As it is we can only play 16 in any game, so we are still three over that limit. (Also for argument's sake I am not yet prepared to state categorically that mine is a long term injury and in any case am desperately keen to play, so incentive for rapid recuperation is there.). Perhaps the club needs reminding that our players 'en masse' turn up to ALL games so we are already having to roster off. This is exacerbated by wet weather games not being replayed this year. We just want to be fair and honour the commitments made to our players that they would get fair game time.
Also, as at the official registration dates , the Club was still short of players. I think latecomers who miss these dates ( and create extra work for overburdened registrars ) should have no automatic right to expect to squeeze game time from the organised and committed.
Don't mind the extra player - and from what I heard he's a pretty nifty forward - although I do think (as Fergus) said, it would be nice for him to come to training occasionally at least.
I am not opposed to bringing in an extra player if the club needs us to. I think it should be less on playing ability and more on the right fit.
My opposition to this case is based on three points.
1. The player won't train and I don't think anyone who can't make all training should play, except as a standby basis when needed. ie they should be the first rostered off each week.
2. The player will only play one position. Yes, I would happily play in the centre of defence - trust me, you don't want me there.
3. The player is under 35 and from what I hear not in a "34 but turning 35 this year" sort of way. Last season John and I drafted a letter to the association asking for the rule allowing under 35 players in our comp to be abolished. It would be hypocritical for me to support us having an under 35 player, even though it is ok under the rules.
My thoughts are no - appreciate what everyone is saying but I just don't think it is right in terms of coming in and demanding that he play 1 position and not train, therefore no from me
Matt Carroll says
don't care. but if he can score lots of goals and trains some times. and pays fines for not training the other times, all is good.
It does seem to me that Greg is pushing him on us and saying we should be more 'part of the club' - not sure what that supposedly means.
I do tend to agree with TH10, John and Anthony, but if I was to say 'no' it could be taken as my not wanting to reduce my own time on the pitch, so for the sake of diplomacy I really think it best I remain neutral (as opposed to neutered).
I do think we have a great bunch of people and whilst its nice to win, its nice to win with people you know, rather than with 'mercenaries' that turn up when they want.
I don't recall anyone else saying they will only play in one position and won't turn up for training. His addition could be divisive - but then again, if he does the business....
Sean the devils advocate, says;
Some people can't make training. I will certainly miss more than I make due to the demands of my business and family (as with last season). I love to play the game, enjoy being in a team, but am not into 'clubs' with rules promoting exclusivity. We all have busy lives and it's over 35's (with 3 exceptions) for crissakes. Let's not get too carried away boys, or should I prepare myself for the bench-warmers role?
Good point Devil (I mean devil's advocate) . . . mate we didn't realise you were busy with work, just thought you were dead (refer fines) Point taken about it all, I suppose I thought we just seemed set in our lineup etc but maybe you're right, no-one probably got a say in me coming along so if he's in then he's in - and hey he'll be up for fines already so it's more into the kitty (and yes i'll fine myself a $1 for having an opinion then changing it)Whilst on fines Sean you'll be up for another coupe of dollars for changing your name - choty then anonymous then sean then devils advocate . . .
On the positive side, TH10 this has worked I think in that people have gone to the site and voiced their thoughts - imagine if reply all was hit 12 times . . .
Sean says;
Catch 22 for me. I can't make training cause I have to work to afford the fines for not making training...
(and for changing my name).
As long as we're all getting along, having fun, and ahem, winning - then I'm happy. Looking forward to Saturday!
We could subject him to a test: If he's prepared to come on Saturday to run the line as a rostered off player meet up and have a beer with us afterwards then what the heck.
Just spoke to one of the guys that played for the sweaties last year. He reckons we'd be mad not to take him and that we'd probably win the comp with him. Well apparently he scored 20 odd goals for them last year.
He can't make training as he lives in Wollongong. Doesn't explain why a young bloke would want to play with a bunch of over 35's tho.
Would you let me play if before the season I said "I can't make any taining and will only play in one position ?"
If he actually said "I will not be able to make many training sessions but will try and get there as much as I can", I feel very different about it.
The attitude is what is important, if he wants to be part of the "team" then let him play, if he wants to play by himself and not be a part of the team then I don't think we want him.
Happy with those that know the guy making the decision on his attitude!
Graeme
For what it's worth;
I'd be happy to have him on board - every other team seems to have an underage striker! I guess my questions to him is; Does he want to be a Coastal Hog or does he just want to play football? The whole training/striker issues are secondary.
I believe the Coastal Hogs play football because we love the game and enjoy being part of a great group of people. Win or lose. Better a great team than a team of greats.
wow we have finally got some great replies coming in!!!!I can agree with both sides of the arguments being put forward so i'm happy with whatever is decided by the team.(finemaster-is that being too nice!!!!?ok fine me again!!!)I think that getting him to training at least some times would be preferable and fair to the rest of the team and also participation in team bonding/social activities should be a pre-req of joining the team.I can't understand how Greg etc feel that we aren't part of the club-to me thats a load of crap-I think we are just too organized for them-thanks to john,tony etc.ps i think the web site is fantastic and a great team bonding exercise so now the computers are running hot lets keep it going!phew my 1finger typing has tired me out,Ian
At Graeme, no you probably would have gone down the list of people wanting to get in. By the way, "in Wollongong" is 25 minutes away. Matt comes 45 from Miranda so that's a non-issue. We are going to have a vote after training tomorrow night I think. I understand both sides as well. My point about us "definitely winning the comp" is this. The sweat hogs won the comp got promoted and now the reason they won the comp can't play for them. The rule allowing under age players in (only one division of) o35 is complete bollox.
I think I might try get his number and talk to him tomorrow so I can answer some of these questions, rather than rely on the Burgh committee folks as a message system.
T
Sean (because CHOTY is now up for grabs) says:
Everybody was asked before this season where they prefer to play. OK, so we all may have put our hands up to play 'wherever we're needed', but there's no way I want Tony to play centre back (though I'm sure he'd make a much better fist of it than he lets on). He's a great forward, and we have great backs. Pete's our keeper, our strikers score goals and the rest us get abused around the middle of the park.
How many training sessions did Pete make last year? And how sad are we to lose him as a rampaging left prong?
All teams have their own culture and we are developing ours as one that obviously gives a shit about playing good football (especially in the twilight of our careers), and importantly, as one based on the values of being a team, sharing our lives to some extent outside of the pitch and becoming good mates. This website is testimony to that.
The situation is not ideal. Some people have registered late and the three HOG sides need to now field over 60 players. We can either throw our hands in the air, say that it's all fucked, or we can choose to help our club.
If we do agree to take on another player, and as much as I do regard as important his commitment to our team (don't overlook the part of Greg Rendell's message that states that he doesn't want to play where he is not wanted, nor wanting to take someone else's position), it is imperative that we do so without resentment on any part, and that we instead see it as allowing a fellow footballer (and quite probably a nice guy), the opportunity to play with the great bunch of blokes that we are.
Morning Boys,
I can't see us resolving this on hogland.com, and as some people can't get to the site etc I propose this:
Tonight we have training as planned, and then at the end of training I'm happy to chair a quick little meeting/debate so everyone can voice their opinions (remember some people haven't seen all these posts) that way everyone gets their say and then we just have a show of hands for or against and then the decision will be made.
I think this will then get us the result and then TH10 can go back to this Greg tomorrow as requested.
How come I didn't get 23 comments to my Fines update???
Fear of being fined...?
It's important to add, for those still reading, that we will get a new player regardless. I think the artist formerly known as CHOTY also makes a fair point about Peter Mac from last season. I have spoken briefly to Sasha and he will call me back later so I'll post an update then.
I won't be at training tonight - I'm stuck in the wind and rain in Adelaide - so I'll cast my pre-pole vote; Sasha IN.
Can't believe you just voted for yourself to score most own goals, Hitman!
From Phil
won't vote yes or no, but I will express my opinion.
The fact that the other sides over registered players shows poor organisation on their part. Greg's statement :
"would like to feel that there was an understanding of the fact that the Coastal Hogs need to also shoulder a little of this pressure. As I have said in the past, I don’t want a situation developing that you do everything in isolation of what is happening at Helensburgh"
is a bit rich and I wonder if he would feel obliged to reciprocate if we had a similar issue. I have the distinct impression that he and others would be very happy to give us the shove if they could and it served their purpose. (Developing a nice little us against the rest mindset there). What were they thinking of registering 21 for both sides? Would they find a place for a late coastal hog if the situation was reversed? Have their registrations been negotiated along the lines of players who only want limited game time etc, whereas ours are all players who want to, when possible, play every game? So our pain in having 20 might be more than theirs in having 21.
On the bigger issue, I think you have been found guilty of developing a successful team within a club. The club is serving our purpose, but, they feel, we are not helping to serve the club's purpose. So if we accept Sasha, even though it seems he wants to "do everything in isolation" from our team, we embrace the club (and hope that they embrace us a little more, which is unlikely).
I feel Greg is failing to see the forest for the trees. Our team is a happy mix of ex Hogs and others. If we didn't exist would there be room at the inn for our ex Hogs? Wouldn't that put more pressure on the Helensburgh club.
And further forest to trees - football is a big game, the world game. You contribute a great deal to its development through Coledale, as does Shane, as does Gary J, as do many others in the team right down to Gary H and myself taking the under 7s. I feel many of us have contributed in our own ways along the journey. In my case over 20 years of organising, coaching and selecting school boys and girls at various levels as well as setting up school programs where non existed before. In other cases it might just be playing the game so long that you can remember being bagged at school for playing wogball - hello Dean. So the isolation tag is a bit provincial.
Anyway I'll leave you to deal with the soviet that is HFC. My thoughts are that we will probably have to accommodate Sasha (at least we'll have someone capable of scoring goals). But my blood boils at hypocritical attitudes expressed so that the other party is made to feel bad at what they are doing. The Coastal Hogs is a great entity. The blog is engaging, the beer is cold, the players put in, we all feel welcome, cold beer - good stuff.
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