Player profile - Lee Baldwin

Welcome to the first edition of Player Profiles. This week we have the self proclaimed Wheatsheaf Heartthrob Lee Baldwin. Lee describes himself on the pitch as having the flair of George Best with the defensive quality of Didier Deschamps. Although adopting the different styles at the wrong times can be his weakness.

Hello Lee, heavy night last night?

Just a little, I think I'm still drunk. Fallick and I met up with Big Dave down the Wheatsheaf for some light entertainment that resulted in the usual visit to the Mecca. Not the bingo, but the pilgrimage to the nightclub on the pier. A good night was had by all. Highlight of the evening was seeing Birch on the dancefloor busting some rather camp moves!

Right then, back to the questions. Some light qustions to warm you up. Who is the worst dressed player at the Wheatsheaf?

It has to be Raggy. It seems that he is stuck in a timewarp.

Which team mate to most admire and why?

Bill, I just love him. He is a legend.

Apart from Birch buying a round, what has been your favourite moment whilst at the Wheatsheaf?

When we beat the Railway 3-2 after being 2-0 down.

What attrcted you to the Wheatsheaf?

My family drink here and I have been actively recruiting employees on behalf of Kevin. It seems to go wrong though when he starts the cellar training.

Any pre-match superstitions?

I like to wear number 8. Unless I'm sub of course.

Thickest team mate?

It has to be me. I can't be good looker and intelligent. I also didn't realize that you could send e-mails to Canada.

Which team mate least likely to buy a round?

Fallick or Birch. Fallick as he doesn't have any money and Birch is just the tightest man in the world.

Name 3 dream dinner dates?

Me granddad as I have never met him.

Bobby Moore, a West Ham legend.

And Keith Chegwin, he always makes me laugh.

And finally, who would win a fight between a bear and a shark?

Shark

Well that was about as interesting as a visit to the dentist. Hopefully the next guest will have a bit more substance up top.

Wheatsheaf 10 - Six Villages (or Six toes) 1

The Wheatsheaf 10 Six Villages United 1With a couple of weeks since their last game The Sheaf were hoping to pick up from where they left off against Lavant against the divisions bottom team. A couple of changes were inforced on them late in the day with Scott Taylor going AWOL and Shane Sutton unable to shake off a niggling hip injury. In came Bill Frankling and Rich Sherwell with Raggy moving to right back in a reshaped defence.There was a suprise as the visitors started the game with only 9 players (that works out to be 1 and half player per village!!) although they managed to persuade a rather round looking spectator to don his boots and do a stint up front taking them up to 10.As the game got underway The Sheaf struggled to get their passing going - too many killer balls were attempted and possession squandered. They still managed to create chances but a combination of good defensive blocks and Villa's oblong head meant the score remained nil nil.When the opening goal came it was a rare moment of class as Lee Baldwin collected a clearance on the edge of box took a touch and calmed placed a looping shot into the bottom corner. Chances came and went but after a succession of corners the pressure told as a Six Villages player unleashed an unstoppable volley into the roof of the net. 2 more goals followed in quick succession with Fallick continuing his good form with a calm finish and Sherwell with a point blank header that went in off the bar.4-0 but just before half time The Sheaf suffered a huge blow when Fallick slipped on a stone and turned over the ankle that troubled him early on in the season. He was carried off quite clearly in some pain and on came Chandler for his 1st game in weeks.The 2nd half started with Six Villages back down to 9 men - the spectator claiming he had pulled his hamstring (although I thought you had to be quick to do this) The Sheaf continued pressing forward and a good ball from Sherwell released Shacks who kept calm and placed a shot in the far corner for the 5th. The half seemed a bit of a blur as goals came at regular intervals. There seems some confusion who scored them all but for certain Shacks got another one and Chandler after a string of glaring misses finally got on the score sheet with the 10th. The debate centres around whether Sherwell got the 3 others - for certain he got 2 but some claim the Six Villages defender who scored the O.G earlier also added a 2nd??? Sherwell definately got at least a hat trick and we will wait confirmation from Andy Gray and the dubious goals panel for the mystery goal!It was good to see the return of club captain Ben Whiffin who had a 30 minute run out and to see Dave McDonald put his red card misery behind him with an impressive cameo performance at right midfield.The downpoints were conceding a goal from a breakaway and the injury to Fallick. Fans were left hoping it wouldn't keep him out too long although he looks certain to mss the big game against Arun View which is sure to be a much sterner test next sunday.
E-Man - 7 (Not much to do - missed a sitter when went up front)
Raggy - 7 (Solid as usual)
Scott - 7 (Difficult to look good when not much to do)
Bill - 7 (Same as above)
Birch 7 (Dependable - let in the goal late on)
Gav 7 (Some great deliveries from corners)
Lee 8 (Great goal - MOM)
Villa 7 (50p head!!!)
Shack 8 (2 goals - 2 good finishes)
Sherwell 8 (Hat trick - could have been more)
Fallick 7 (Injured early on - will be a big loss)
Chandler 7 (Worked hard - will have better games)
Benny 7 (Composed on ball)
Mac 7 ( Put in some great crosses)

Lavant 0 - Wheatsheaf 6

‘Oh my god I can’t believe it, we’ve never won like this away from home’. Was the statement from Wheatsheaf manager Dave Usher after seeing his side record a very impressive result. It was a justified result as the Wheatsheaf outplayed and outfought their opponents. Playing in their new Orange kit, it was at times like watching the Dutch dogs of war when going down to 10 men after 10 minutes.

The Wheatsheaf knew that they were in for some strict, but good referring, when the old Bob Minty made an appearance. Bob takes no prisoners and showed that he will not tolerate any backchat or swearing directed at him. A view reciprocated by the Wheatsheaf management. Bob has a reputation for holding a grudge but the Wheatsheaf could have had no complaint when the token ‘sweaty’ Dave McDonald was given his marching orders. Coming from the same city that has produced talents like Kenny Dalgish and Alex Ferguson. The Scottish FA must be feeling the repercussions from a lack of funding over the past 20 years in the coaching as Dave, and a mature Dave at that, managed the school boy error of a foul throw, twice! Feeling rather embarrassed he took out his frustrations on the referee with some colourful Scottish pleasantries and was sent packing 10 minutes into the game. For a strange reason, losing Dave jumped started the Wheatsheaf into action.

Richard Ragless was back in his usual role at the centre of defence, playing like a gritty northerner from Leeds. Heading and tackling every thing that came his way. This style of play suits Raggy as he doesn’t have to do any thinking. Especially as his defensive partner was Scott Adams who played with the same guile and panache as Lucas Radebe guiding his team throughout the game with constant talking and encouragement.

The Wheatsheaf took the game to Lavant and with a never say die attitude, took the lead when Birch steamed up from behind and spotted the gap from which he banged it home with power and precision. Then it was the James Fallick show. A little pep talk from manager Dave Usher on Saturday night seemed to do the trick as straight from the start of the second half Fallick saw the ‘keeper off his line and scored from the kick off!! A truly remarkable feat from the youngster. A few observers questioned how James managed to actually see the ‘keeper from that far away but they certainly didn’t want to raise the issue. James playing as a lone striker was full of beans charging onto an endless amount of fantastic passes and caused problems all over the place for the Lavant defence. A free kick was duly dispatched through the wall and past the dive of the goalkeeper to make it 3-0. He was rewarded with another goal when a deep Karl Shackleton cross was intelligently headed back across goal by Villa giving him a simple tap in. The Wheatsheaf were awarded another free kick and while Gavin Sutton was standing there with his hand held out playing ‘scissor, paper, stone’ Fallick ignored him and curled the ball into the top corner. Fallick rounded off a fine Wheatsheaf win with another goal to make it 6-0. Karl Shackleton had an impressive game upping his work rate to twice the norm to help control the midfield with Villa, who won nearly everything in the air, and the consistent Shane Sutton.

After it was all back to the Wheatsheaf where Carol and Eileen put on another fantastic lunch for the boys. Goalkeeper Alex, who was struggling from getting hammered and dancing the ‘Road Runner’ up Sheiks the previous night for club gypsy Lee Baldwin’s birthday, couldn’t handle the hotness of the chilli and said ‘You can have it all’ if you want to. Which was duly dispatched.

Wheatsheaf sign Villa!!!

The Wheatsheaf are proud announce that they have signed talented left sided player Villa from Vancouver initially until January but could be extended. Villa has plenty of experience playing county football in Sussex and also in the Vancouver Metro league where he finished top goal scorer. Villa usual position is left midfield but can play anywhere, except the right of course!

Dave Usher said 'We have know about the talents of Villa for many years and when we heard that he was available we pushed the boat out and made him an offer that he couldn't refuse'.

Villa was quoted as saying 'After gaining experience playing football in Canada I was looking forward to playing in my old area. Dave approached me and put across a very impressive picture of life at the Wheatsheaf and his vision for the future and it wasn't difficult to resist'.

The Wheatsheaf Chairman Kevin Usher commented 'We are looking forward to seeing Villa back in the area. The beer and food takings at the Wheatsheaf will definitely increase'.

Angmering V Wheatsheaf

The Wheatsheaf faniced a very difficult away clash to top of the table Angmering in severe wind. The game as always going to be difficult as Angmering have proven to be the team to beat especially after their 10-1 win against the dangerous Hope, comfortable victors against the Wheatsheaf in a game fondly remembered for the birth of the Hot Tub Trio. Angmering started brightly and showed that they are very good ball players with bags of skills. But they didn't anticipate on the dogged fighting spirting of Shane Sutton and Richard Ragless, who was playing in a very unfamiliar role in the centre of midfield. n fact 'Raggy' ended up playing upfront and right back before the end of the game. All over the pitch the Wheatsheaf showed that they have people willing to get stuck in and mix it with Andy Franklin and Scott Adams at the back showing that no one gets the better than them. A few words in the centre forwards ear here and there and the poor guy looked like he was going to cry. He thought that he was the star attractions but they showed him! But....an early contender for player of season, or at least clubman, has to go to Shane Sutton who played most of the game with a split contact lens!! I'm not joking, the guy has a huge shiner. I can't recall anyone ever putting that much into a game for the team.

So back to the game, Angmering went into halftime 1-0 playing against the extreme wind. but it was the second half when Raggy came into his own. Put through on goal in the box, he managed to make everything seem to happen in slow motion. Moving the ball on to his left foot then realizing that it's not the best option, shuffled around the ball to his right before tapping it in from 6 yards. It was a composed finish when most people would have lashed at it with their weak foot. Birch was put upfront in a swap with Raggy to tighten up at the back but it was in the midle of the pitch that Birch showed his range of skills by performing an usual lying on the floor windmill kick. Never before has this been seen but it waw successful none the less. Angmering regained the lead with a bit slack marking but big Dave threw on young optically challenged Fallick who terrorised the defence and in the closing minutes bagged a deserved goal for the battling Wheatsheaf. If only young Fallick could be bothered to show the same commitment as Shane Sutton then maybe the Wheatsheaf would have gained the 3 points needed to get back into promotion contention.

Eddie Whiffin was man of the match making a brilliant double save and looked composed throughout. Eddie has been a consistent performer in the sticks even saving a penalty the previous week. Considering this isn't Eddie's usual position he might have to rethink what is. Shane Sutton gets a special mention for playing with a horric eye injury but as the other team vote for the man of mathc the award goes to Eddie. Also, let's not forget Raggy, who at 39 and close to retirement 3 times this season being talked out of it by the manager, played in 3 different positions and was on the scoresheet.

The Wheatsheaf go into Sunday's game away to Lavant full of confidence. If they can just eradicate the backchat to one another, put ego's aside and show comittment by turning up on time then they can complete for the league's highest honours.

Welcome

Welcome to the blog for the Wheatsheaf Fc (Bognor Regis). Over the course of the season I shall being putting up match reports, photos and the general goings on of the team.

The Wheatsheaf pub on Hawthorn Road has been around for many years possibly since the turn of the 20th century. It is rumoured that the decor and the landlord, Kevin, have also been around the turn of the 20th century. Confirmation of this will follow. Straight after the barring.

I'm unsure of when the Wheatsheaf FC actually first started, and remember when my dad even had a game or two, and has had a stop start exsistence over the past 10 years with many ups and downs. A few league and cup trophies here and there but it has never fullfilled it's true potential with it's great catchment of local football stars.

But we hope all of the will now change with the naming of Dave Usher as manager. Dave has been a revelation on Football Manager 2008. After a sloppy start taking Sheffield Wednesday down to Division 3 he then obtained the managers at Rotherham before guiding them to Mid table in the premiership.

After this success (?) Dave then thought he would try his hand at real life management. This has proven to be quite difficult and would have resigned if it wasn't for the efforts of his trusted sidekick, and keeper of the Wheatsheaf money, Birch (Anyone know his first name!?).

This season has been had its ups and downs aswell. Plenty of great goals and football but when have the team end up in the Sutton's huttub it goes wobbly like Dave's breasts!!

So with out further ado, I will try to describe more about the team and the players, with photos, plus match reports.