END OF AN ERA
The expression 'End of an era' can be used a little too freely but it certainly applies with the news that Robert Stimpson has retired as manager of the Men's 1st team. Except for two short breaks Robert has filled this important position with distinction since 1987. He joined Magpies after playing for Norfolk, Colchester and Norwich Grasshoppers whom he captained to the HA Cup Final in 1972 when they lost to Hounslow at Crystal Palace. He played at Weybread as a 1st team defender for almost two seasons before being dropped. So he knows what it is like! He soon took a management and coaching role with the team which narrowly missed out on a place in the inaugural national league in 1988 when edged out by Westcliff in the last match of the season. But promotion was finally won on the second appearance in the play-offs at Olton to start nine seasons in the national league before relegation in the play-offs at Milton Keynes. He then took a break after serving for another three seasons before returning in 2006/7 season with hard earned promotion back to the national league coming at the end of the 2008/9 season clinched with a 7-1 win over Wisbech with four games to spare. Three exciting seasons in the national league followed before relegation two weekends ago.
These bald facts hide the enormous amount of work that Robert (Jack to many) has done for the club over the years including a spell as chairman. Many players during that time have good reason to be grateful to Robert for his dedication, enthusiasm, optimism, planning and his willingness to give chances in the team to young players. The bald facts about Robert also hide how difficult it has been to build a succession of squads to compete against some of the star players in the other financially well-endowed clubs. Over the years Robert has worked with a series of coaches including Richard Stacey, Vaughan Dearling, Keith Parker, Bob Skinner, Les Howlett, Rob Wagstaff, Phil Cobbald and Bill Williams and they with the players have all played their part in the undoubted success achieved by the 1st team during Robert's time as manager. This season's relegation must never be allowed to disguise this fact.
Robert values very highly the friendships he has made within the club and with officials and players at other clubs around the country. He rates Kwan Browne (Canterbury) the best player he has managed against. I will not reveal the names of the two Magpies' players he rates most highly!
Thank you Robert - you have done us proud and thank you Janet for all the support you have given Robert who will now have more time for his other interests including family, holidays and NCFC.
Last Saturday was a funny old day! It started for me watching the Men's 3rds lose 7-2 (Tiger Brice and Gavin Cole) away to Norwich Dragons after being level 2-2 at half time and I got to the club just in time to hear that the Ladies' 5ths had drawn 2-2 (Shirley McAllen and Rosie Chubbock) with UEA 2nds and to see the Men's 7ths drooping off the pitch having drawn 3-3 (Richard Allcock, Roger Kent, David Blackmore) after being 3-0 up against Pelicans 3rds. Spirits were then raised a little higher with the Ladies' 3rds getting an excellent 2-2 (Rachel Herod, Catherine Kilbourn) draw with league champions Panthers before the Men's 2nds put us through the wringer losing 3-2 (Martin Fields and Lawrence Baynes) in a 'must win' game against Letchworth before we were cheered when Louisa Greenacre scored her (almost!) annual goal with a thumping late penalty corner conversion to give the Ladies' 1sts a deserved 1-1 draw against Chelmsford in their final game of the season.
Spirits then soared with the news by Twitter that St Ives had lost making the Men's 2nds safe from relegation and the Men's 4ths had beaten Thetford 6-3 (Andy Caston 2, Phil Cobbald, James Smith, Jonathan Payne – did Paul Shelley find the net at last with the 6th?!) to ensure their survival with their third win in four games. Well done! By now we had heard that the Ladies' 2nds had lost for only the second time this season going down 2-1 (Krystal Bishop) away to relegated Christchurch after failing to score from at least 20 penalty corners! But after their really excellent season they should be excused one poor away game although some corner practice might be in order girls for the summer months! The Men's 5ths then lost narrowly to Dereham 3rds before the Ladies' 4ths kept their slim survival chances alive with an impressive 4-0 win (Hannah Booty, Sarah Legg 2, Laura Schultheiss) over Dereham 3rds. (However, their chances were dimmed considerably the next day when Panthers controversially conceded their game to strugglers Lowestoft Railway; their second such bonus in recent weeks.) We were finally cheered by the news that the rejuvenated Ladies' 6ths had beaten Old Buckenham 4-0 (Vanessa Vigrass 2, Helen Knock, Chloe Perfitt) to consolidate their 10th place in the league.
Several of our teams have now completed all their matches (I will do a season round-up in a future Musings) but we still have nine in action this coming Saturday including the Ladies' 4ths who entertain Watton 2nds (12.15) in a relegation match for both sides and we need to win to have any chance of avoiding the drop. In another vital match the Men's 3rds need to beat Dereham 2nds (3.00) to retain their chance of promotion. Good luck to all our teams – please see the Home Page of the website for the full list of fixtures.
Senior Teams Awards Evening. All members, coaches, managers and supporters are invited to attend this informal and inaugural event in the clubhouse at 7.00pm on Friday 13 April when the Player of the Year and Leading Goalscorer of the various teams will be rewarded.
Other news in brief
a) Please see the Home Page of the website for details of Alan Cogdell's funeral next Monday.
b) There was more sad news last week following the untimely death during a game of Gurbinder Hunjan of Ramgarhia. His passing was marked with a minute's silence before the Men's 2nds match with Letchworth. The Men's 2nds host Ramgarhia this Saturday (12.30) in their last match of the season.
c) Congratulations to Elliot Smith on his selection to play for England U18s in Holland (4th to 9th April) and in the UK School Games (6th to 9th May) at Old Loughtonians.
d) Finally, it is also congratulations to the U10 Girls on winning last Sunday's Dereham Minis.
If you've got this far – thanks!
With kind regards
Mike Denham
27/3/12
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