1st August 2010.
Venue: Kirklands, Cammell Laird F.C.
K.O. 11.00 a.m.
Dock captured the first trophy on offer this season when they emerged with a 3.2 victory over Wallasey Premier Champions, Liscard Bronze Panthers. The Annual charity game between the Birkenhead Champions and their counterparts from Wallasey in remembrance of ex Lairds stalwart Joey Griffiths, provided Dock an opportunity to fine tune their preparation for the coming season
Once again Dock had a large squad to select from and due to the prestige of the fixture, could only field the eleven starters and three subs.
Senior players Gary Reay and the elusive Mick Saunders were absent and have been spotted in Malta….. (Coincidentally The Swinging Arm have their training camp in Malta) also absent Matty Carlin, Craig Johnson, Bernaaaard Holmes and defensive kingpin Jason Williams. Manager McGraa has introduced new faces to the squad, so much so that only seven players that ended the previous season started today’s game, those being O’Hanlon, Byrne, Donaghy, Brunt , Head, I. Mcgraa and Sean Holmes.
Jamie Kenyon made his Dock debut and produced a strong running display. The right back position was filled by youngster Tommy Hunt, who was positive and always willing to support and the left back berth was occupied by the impressive Lee Hammond. In goal was Aaron, who was solid and confident and useful with the flying head butt !
Brunty, once again, was magnificent. From the moment he stepped off the team coach with his headphones on, pausing to sign match programmes for scores of eager youngsters, this guy oozes class. He orchestrated and dominated the midfield. Prompting and probing, it is not hard to imagine him swapping passes with Xavi and Iniesta at the Nou Camp and hearing 90,000 Catalonians shouting Ole at every completed pass. In fact his nick name, ‘El fat fu@k’ (translation The Golden One) is very apt.
Shaun Holmes eventually won the game for the Dock with a fine winner in the last minute of the game and there were joyous scenes as the lads celebrated over by the Dock bench. The Joey Griffiths Memorial Trophy was presented in the Lairds clubhouse by stand-up comedian, Frankie Robbo to the Dock captain for the day, Nemanja Vidic.
My network of spies informed me that Lee Hammond was ordering trays of Shots in the Claughton later on in the night and Champers was also mentioned! There are also rumours circulating from Majorca that Jase Pack was seen in deep conversations around the pool with Babsy of the Queens and Shots and Champers are also mentioned here as well. The paparazzi are offering photo’s of the pair enjoying the sun for a four figure fee.
Match Report by Mike Stevens
