Sunderland RCA FC grassroots football

Sunderland RCA held their annual presentation evening at The Alexandra in Grangetown on Friday night. The award winners were:

Manager's Player of the Season is team captain Brian Close seen here with manager Neil Hixon.

Thursday, 3 May 2012

STL Northern League Division 1

Sunderland RCA completed a fantastic season of football with a home win against FA Vase finalists Dunston UTS.

With leading goalscorer Mark Davison struggling with a stomach strain the manager brought back the livewire that is Gary Shields to partner Andy Jennings up front.

Dunston, as expected, made a number of changes to their squad, after their chances of winning the title were eradicated on Monday night when they were defeated by Spennymoor who claimed their third title in a row.

I don't set myself up as a football pundit, but I do reckon I can spot a chancer when I see one, and as evidence I refer you to my earlier musings from the 8th March on this very site, and I quote, "And who do we fancy for the England job? Good old Arry? I don't think so. I reckon his bubble is in the process of bursting good and proper". Quite perceptive I think you will agree. The ever reliable Hotspurs, the original morning glory, starting like Jack Nicklaus and finshing like Jack Duckworth to use a golfing term; collapsing like a pricked balloon as soon as any chance of success shows on the horizon. And with good old 'Arry watching from the sidelines, looking like he doesn't know what to do, and for why? Well in my humble opinion, because he doesn't know what to do, that's for why. And anything more than a cursory examination of his career would reveal the same, unless of course you are a member of the Fleet Street mafia, waiting in vain for a London-based saviour. Or a dodgy agent who has 'Arry's number on speed dial. Still, it's easy to mock. Sometimes very easy. And he seems an amiable old duffer and handy to know if you are short of a few quid.

Monday, 16 April 2012

The Brooks Mileson League Cup

Scorers: Spennymoor: Graydon, Cogdon, Andrews 2

As one RCA player commented after the match "Just to come here and score would do, never mind get a result". The Spennymoor Cup curse continued with this defeat. Although the final result somewhat flattered Spennymoor, in the end the best team overall on the night probably did win.

Preparation for this match was almost catastrophic with Paxton unavailable through work committments, Davidson, Jardine, Davies and Berj all cup-tied and Owens unavailable due to family matters. RCA only had 11 fit player and two of those were goalkeepers. Mark Davison passed a very late fitness test and give credit to the lad he played through the pain barrier for almost three quarters of this game.

The team therefore was changed from Saturday with Cuthbertson coming in for Davidson, Beasley replaced Paxton and Craig Shields the only other fit player on the bench.

Getting towards the end of the season and time to say a well deserved thank you to all those who help us out through the season. Principal thanks go to Springboard, whose vision for what the club can create as a community sporting hub for Sunderland is inching closer to reality every year. Big thanks as well of course to Gentoo, our shirt sponsors, who share the vision with Springboard. Can we forget the corned beef pie? I really don't think so, very many thanks to Derek and Catherine Winlow and their staff at The Promenade, Sunderland's premier seafront hostelry if you happen to be down Seaburn way. You are always sure of a warm welcome at the Promenade, that's for sure. And a final thank you to all our programme advertisers, your support is vital and much appreciated. Thank you all, hopefully see you all next season, this could be the year!