VIDEO CLIP ONE: VETS RECEIVE TROPHY

VIDEO CLIP TWO: DANNY NETS PENALTY

17.04.2011, London Welsh Football Ground, Chiswick Vs Old Ignatians Won 3-1 Gallagher (3)

VIDEO CLIP THREE: MATCH ACTION

VIDEO CLIP FOUR: O'BRIEN SHOOTS..

Our path to this year’s final had been remarkably smooth until John Walsh got sent off a few minutes from the end of our semi final win over Alleyns, meaning he would be banned for the final. In addition to this setback, our other centre back from last year’s starting X1 – Paul MacDonagh – chose the weekend of this year’s final to get married. So we were always going to be very short of defenders. Dave Mitchell & Darren Morris have both been in fine form for us all season. So they played alongside Jacko & me in a defensive line up that I was always confident would be more than good enough. But with no other defenders available, none of us could afford to get injured. The 2 other changes to last year’s cup final XI were Smithy, (who came in when Dolpho’s family situation meant he was unable to play any more) & Danny Gallagher, who wasn’t eligible last year. The Ignations coach arrived an hour before kick off & their players had gone to the trouble on the day of all wearing shirts & club ties (& very dapper they all looked too). Their early arrival also meant all their supporters were in place when the game kicked off. We only had about half a dozen hardy souls there at that time. But our supporters started to steadily drift in & by the time Danny got our first goal, we had as many supporters at the ground - if not more – than Ignations. Danny added a penalty just before half time & we went into the break with a 2-0 lead. Ignations had by now also used all their substitutes after having really bad luck with first half injuries. After Danny completed his hat trick on the hour, I began to bring our subs on. Marvin came on (for me), Cecil (for Neville) & Del (for Danny). Ignations scored with around 5 minutes to go & then threw everything at us in an unexpectedly frantic finish. But we weathered the storm & came home 3-1 winners. Everyone played superbly (again), but I made Jacko my man of the match. (Sorry Danny, be satisfied with your hat trick). The full squad was……… Smithy, Jacko, Mitch, Darren, Clint, Neville, Munners, Edey, Simon, Danny & Charlie. Marv, Cecil & Del. This is the 2nd year running that we have won the ‘Jack Perry’ cup & with a stack of new players turning 35 this year, we are well placed to hopefully make it a hat trick next year. The support we had on the touchline was truly impressive. As well as the usual old gits who come & watch most our games. (Selwyn, Bazza, Roy), loads of the clubs younger players also made the effort to get to Chiswick. Thanks to you all. Clint Anglo Vets Manager