Mid season report July 2004

The Hawks 2004 season has been one with plenty of ups and downs, the lowlight being Saturday July 10th when 12 gallant Fulham Hawks were all but knocked out of finals contention by a full strength West London Emus, who only won the game after it was neck and neck for 3 quarters. Unless they win all 3 of their last games, the conference side looks like they might be having a rest while the other teams contest the finals. Unfortunately lack of players has hurt us badly this year and although very willing and more than capable with a full squad, the Fulham Hawks just haven't had the numbers to threaten any of the top sides. Captain Gareth Martin has been superb both on and off the field, Chad Kilburn is getting plenty of kicks as usual, Murray Payne and Darren Moncrieff have been playing well, while new comer Tim Garrett is dominating. Down back Tim Ross has been Mr Consistent and Jeremy Hersch and Scotty Nichols have improved out of site and become very handy players. First year players Ashley Knights and Peter Rutherford are others to impress and they have earnt a spot in the Premiership team for the second half of the season after several good performances in a row.

For the Wimbledon Hawks Premiership team, a week really did prove to be a long time in football. After being thrashed by the West London Wildcats by more than 100 points, the Hawks bounced back in emphatic style to record a win against Sussex by a similar margin. We had players back up from the Conference match to play the Premiership match against West London and you are always going to be on the back foot if that happens but the games against Sussex, Wandsworth and North London have proved we are a very handy side when all cylinders are firing (and turn up).

Sam Parkinson, Dale Argall, Nick Katsivelos, Andrew Kukuljan, Cairan Fitzgibbon, Jon Hazelden, Alan Fitzpatrick, Drew Anderson, Simon Bishop and Ben Vaughan have been in excellent form, while Mick Renyard and Nigel Webb are also playing well after returning from injury. Dave Stockham, Poo Hetherington (in his first year) and James Teader have also been consistent performers, Shimma has bobbed up for a few goals up forward, and new players Rod Glyn-Thomas and Charlie Perry are working hard to learn our great game and have contributed more and more as the season has progressed.

Key backman Mark Hoggard has injured his knee and Drew has a hamstring twinge - one can only hope those two don't miss too many games as they both showed plenty of ability and class when fully fit. Michael Preston, John Franken and Patto and are all travelling around Europe and although we hope they are having a fantastic time, we also hope to have them all back in Hawks attire come finals time.

All in all, I have been very disappointed in the numbers at training or the number of people putting their hands up to help out on or off the field. Nick Katsivelos, Jon Hazelden, Gareth Martin, Dave Stockham have been fantastic as always, and Sam Barton and Ashley have chipped in but there haven't been too many other helpers. This has to change if the club is going to survive in the long term. The likes of Nathan Tilley, Damon Tilley and Darren Lewis are sorely missed and we need to get more people helping out like they used to if we hope to keep the club successful (or even a going concern) in years to come, particularly considering Hawks legends Parko, Webbie and Drew are also due to go home at the end of 2004. They will be SORELY missed. This year represents their last chance at BARFL finals glory and I really hope we can send them off with a medal around their neck.

New club t-shirts have been produced and they look fantastic. I encourage all Hawkers to pay their registration fee of £30 ASAP and get the t-shirt free. Wearing the shirt to the ground on game day is COMPULSORY for the rest of the year - NO EXCUSES. If you don't wear your T-Shirt and there are players on the bench who have, be prepared to sit down and take their place. That is a PROMISE. We need to look professional and promote the Hawks and our sponsors, the Walkabout Wimbledon and Prize Placements, who have been fantastic this year. It is the business end of the season and we need to show we mean business.

To finish off on a more personal note, on behalf of the entire Hawks family, I would like to congratulate Damon and Kate Tilley and Des and Amelia Del Frate on their July wedding days, and wish Darren Lewis and Miranda Ives all the best for their big day in September when they are tying the knot in New York. We hope to see your siblings running around for the Hawks netball, touch football or Australian Football teams in 2022! I would also like to thank Grant Clark, the outgoing Wimbledon Walkabout manager for his friendship and sponsorship this year. Grant is currently travelling around Europe with his girlfriend Michelle and is heading home, but I am sure he will keep an eye on the Hawker web site to see how his boys are doing.

Michael Carroll
Coach

Now the season is in full swing the Hawks are buzzing with excitement. After a bye and a win in the first two rounds both teams are sitting near the top of their respective ladders.

Training is on each and every Tuesday and Thursday nights at Motspur Park, starting at 7pm SHARP - RAIN, HAIL or SHINE. New players are always welcome to join in the fun. Make sure you have football boots because we are working with the footballs every night. Even bearing in mind many are still tied up at the business end of their Rugby and Soccer competitions, training has been poorly attended so there are plenty of opportunities for people looking for a game to come and step up. Those who are coming to training regularly have impressed so far, the intensity on the track has been fantastic on the whole.

As a club we look forward to the challenges that lie ahead during 2004 and the focus for the early part of the year is to get results on the board. There are only 10 games of home and away football this season so there is no time to waste before hitting form or fitness.

This weekend we take on the might of the West London Wildcats who are the form team of the competition again and have several new recruits who have impressed so far this year. The Wildcats are always difficult to beat and will provide a guage of how much of a threat we will be to the front runners in the BARFL this year. I am absolutely positive we have the players to do the job, we just to stick together and work hard so we are a TEAM that does the job. I am really looking forward to Saturday and am confident we will work hard on the track this week and deliver results.

Hopefully the supporters come down and see what will surely be one of THE games of the season.