A Canary

[City Blue]

I was sacked at Napoli.So I decided to start again as a Premier League side
------------------------------------------------
1st July 2011

​

LAMBERT
SACKED

Today Norwich City FC announced
that manager Paul Lambert had
been relieved of his duties.The
East-Anglia club had beaten
Welsh club Cardiff City to the
Premier League last season.It was
a struggle anyway but now it's doubly
difficult.... see page 79 for more.

Oh my, I thought only 2 months after promotion Paul has been sacked!His job had been precarious after a boardroom bust-up but still.My phone rang.
"Hey Matthew!" my friend's voice said
"What is it John?"
"You've got to get down here mate.It's mental!"
"Down where?"
"Carrow Road dumb ***"
"Why?"
"Because the board are being idiots.They sacked him without having anyone else lined up.All other managers won't come because they think the board are retards."
As he said this it all became clear.My mind flashed back to 2002.
"If there's anything I can do.Call me."
That had stayed in my mind for ever.I decided to take the advice and call an old friend.
"Hey, Delia...

​

 

[City Blue]

7th July 2011
"Okay Matthew I've gone out on a limb for this don't let me down."
"Okay Delia.I can't thank you enough for this"
"Just buy my cookbooks as a thank-you.You might find cooking a stress-relief."
I thought about my friend -and new boss- Delia Smith's remarks as I walked through the big yellow door.
The press conference wasn't the calmest and I had a feeling I knew what the back page would look like tomorrow.
NERVOUS HAWK
JOINS CANARIES
Is what the Daily Mail went with
HAWKINS LOST FOR WORDS.
That's what the Sun was like.I'd answered a few questions but a few were out of my depth.Journalists using pompous Public Schoolboy ****.They can stick those words up they're arses.

 

[City Blue]

M & K

After embarrassing myself and the club at the press conference I was sacked.I was given £38,000 as compensation and I was on my way.I had left the club a list of players who they could sign and I went.I was travelling all over the world watching football with my mates.From La Liga (Spain) to the Hyundai A-League (Australia) to the J-League (Japan).I'd experienced different football cultures ad applied for a job at FC Zwolle in the Eerste Diviside.I was turned down (I was close!).I waited until the season was over before going back to Wales and starting again.There were many changes all around England and Wales.
PREMIER LEAGUE
1.CHELSEA 90 points
2.ARSENAL 77 points
3.MAN CITY 75 points
4.LIVERPOOL 71 points
--------------------------
18.WEST BROM 35 points
19.SWANSEA 27 points
20.NORWICH 26 points

CHAMPIONSHIP
1.SOUTHAMPTON 88 points
2.BURNLEY 86 points
3.WEST HAM 85 points
4.BRIGHTON 78 points
5.BIRMINGHAM (p) 74 points
6.BARNSLEY 74 points
-------------------------------
22.PETERBOROUGH 49 points
23.CRYSTAL PALACE 46 points
24.DONCASTER 44 points

LEAGUE 1
Winners-Huddersfield 106 points
Promoted-Sheffield United 97 points
Play off winners-Charlton 82 points (3rd)
------------------------------------------
Relegated
Stevenage 48 points,Hartlepool 47 points,Notts County 42 points,Tranmere 35 points

LEAGUE 2
Winners-Swindon 88 points
Promoted-Northampton 88 points,Rotherham 79 points
Play off winners-Port Vale 73 points (4th)
---------------------------------------------------------
Relegated-Barnet 45 points,Burton Albion 44 points

I was offered 2 jobs one at Thurrok in Blue Square Bet South and one also in the BSS at newly-promoted Kingstonian.I signed with The K's on a year-long contract earning £525 p/w.Without any backroom staff it will be a hard challenge.Just the way I like it.

 

[City Blue]

New home

First I had to travel to England.I had managed to book into a nice hotel in Kingston upon Thames.And then walked to the stadium.Kingstonian are currently sharing they're stadium with AFC Wimbledon.The Fan's Stadium-Kingsmeadow is a decent stadium shared by neighbours.I walked in and was introduced to the staff.Yes no one.I was handed a list of players.The squad.I watched them train and wrote notes.

KINGSTONIAN AFC SQUAD 2011-12 (AS OF JULY 1)
​

GOALKEEPERS
Terry Alexander-Main keeper
Jack Burgess-Back-up for Terry
DEFENDERS
Bradley McLean-Starting left-back ****.
Gregg Castle-Starting right-back average
Chris Smith-Centre-back and left-back.****
Tony Robinson-Starting centre-back average
Anthony Williams-Other centre-back a bit better
Adam Evans-Youngster
MIDFIELDERS
Albert Richardson-Left-winger brilliant
Tom Wilson-Right-winger.Average
Andy Jackson-Back-up to Wilson.****
James Simmons-Central-midfielder.Can't really judge him.
Craig Jarman-Same as above
Iain English-Our best central-midfielder.Not anything special good defensive player
STRIKERS
Matt Smithard-Best striker.He's also a winger
Barry Williams-Good striker second best
Jack Watson-Decent the media told me in the conference he's a bit of a loose cannon.

Straight away was a friendly against Sutton United.
​

KINGSTONIAN 2-2 SUTTON UNITED
Richardson (9) Smithard (OG 83)
Watson (44) Hallam (90+1)
​

Really gutted with final score after dominating.**** defending from Andy Jackson led to the goal.Our second game came quickly but I had brought in a few players.

Taylor Nathaniel-Good winger plays on the left.Can function at full-back.
Adam Forshaw-Signed the same day as Nat an ex-Everton trainee best central-midfielder at the club
Omar Elabdellaoui-A Norwegian central-midfielder to partner Adam.
I had many players on trail and I booked a few mor rooms at the hotel.They were thankful for extra business.
Lewis Bishop-Ex-Birmingham & Peterborough
Michael Roberts-Ex-Liverpool
James Colbeck-Ex-Wrexham
TRIALISTS IN GREEN

BOREHAM WOOD 3-1 KINGSTONIAN
Chaaban (pen 19) Forshaw (50)
Clements (68)
Fraser (79)
​

We were even but Boreham Wood beat us in the last 25 minutes.We controlled from the 20th minute to the 65th.Did deserve to lose though our shooting was ****-poor.
​

 

[City Blue]

These are my other results from pre-season.
Kings Cup (Semi)
Kingstonian 1-2 Cork City
Douglas
3rd placd play-off
Kingstonian 4-0 Hermes
Elabdellaoui
Montano x2
Clowes
Cheltanham 4-1 Kingstonian
Allsopp
Horsham 1-1 Kingstonian
Douglas
Average pre-season

 

[meomew]

Good story so far mate