Hi guys, let me say first off this is my first story so please, do leave constructive criticism! Secondly... does anyone know how to get a listing of national jobs such as national teams, as well as national U21/U19s? Cheers.
Kristian Van Wyk
Nationality: Belgian
Age: 33
Bio: Played Sunday League Football and didn't have any real impact on the soccer world until he retired at 32. Upon retiring, Kristian's goals were to manage a soccer team, but obviously with his credentials he was not able to manage a team such as say- Liverpool. Being a realist, he set out applying for whatever jobs he could- among these were Managerial Positions at Tranmere, Bradford, Worcester. In addition, a myriad of countries were added to his application list- all of which responded back to him to inform him he was unsuccessful. It was on the 15th of July 2009 that Worcester, approached him for a job- the only successful application.
Worcester City
Stadium: St. George's Lane, Capacity - 4000 (1125 Seated)
Captain: Wayne Daniel
Affiliations: Birmingham - Parent Club
Malvern - Feeder Club
Bio: Founded in 1902, Worcester City is a club that doesn't really ring any bells when spoken about. They were winners in the English the English Southern League Premier Division all the way in 1979- but who's heard of that league anyway? Since then, they have had no other real title contentions other than in 1980 where they came 3rd in the Blue Square Premier- since then they have been relegated and drifted in the Blue Square South. The media speculate that despite the signing of 'world class' manager Kristian van Wyk, they write in sarcastic tones, the boys at St. George's Lane have their work cut out for them and are predicted to come around 20th place this season.
Pre-Season
Van Wyk's first approach to the team was to examine the current members- to concentrate on this task he allowed Assistant Manager Carl Heeley to run the squad through the various friendlies the club had scheduled in order to see who was 'in' and who was 'out'.
The results themselves weren't anything special- more wins than losses, but the losses were significant.
Away - Worcester - 1 vs 3 - Oxford City
Away - Worcester - 1 vs 0 - Ilkeston
Home - Worcester - 1 vs 0 - Kettering
Home - Worcester - 1 vs 4 - Shrewsbury
Away - Worcester - 1 vs 0 - Windsor and Eton
Away - Worcester - 1 vs 0 - Thameshead
As a result, Van Wyk dove into the transfer market, armed with his budget of 0 pounds.
Players In
Signed Nathan Thackeray on a free, previously the young goal-keeper had been at Mansfield (2005) then had a long unemployment spell for 4 years until being picked up by Worcester.
Signed Frenchman, Jean-Francois Deslais from La Vitreenne on a free transfer. Van Wyk described the center back as a rock (in Dutch, French and German as he cannot speak English very well). He has appeared in the French CFA National and Ligue 2 under SO Romorantin and Stade Lavallois respectively.
Signed another Frenchman, Jean-Christophe Cardi from EF Bastia. The right fullback has was part of the SC Bastia squad in Ligue 1 and 2; but made no appearances.
Signed Peter Wood on a free despite being injured. The left fullback from minnow club Whyteleafe was delighted at the chance of first team football.
Players Out
Young defender Kevin Spencer was transferred to East Thurrock on a free when his skills were deemed insufficient by Van Wyk.
First team member Jake Meredith was released on a free as his skills were deemed to be overestimated by his Belgian manager.
Blue Square South
With the season underway, Worcester had their work cut out for them. With the media predicting their struggle against relegation- Van Wyk quickly adjusted his new team to a new strategy and gave them inspiring talks.
Home - Worcester vs Bromley (Favourites), 3-2
'25 - Marco Adaggio had a ball crossed to him beautifully, he shot. Unfortunately it was saved by the keeper who didn't get the ball to hands. After a rowdy scrap with a couple defenders the ball was finally flicked in by the Worcester striker.
'41 - The ball was lobbed over the defensive line and Rob Elvins, who looked to be offside, managed to tap it in. The assistant referee didn't raise his flags so the controversial goal stood.
At the half-way mark Worcester was looking motivated, however it lead to complacency...
'49 - Marvin Brown was subbed for Marc McGregor after injuring himself lightly- it seemed Van Wyk takes the health of his players seriously.
'53 - New recruit Thackeray blocked a shot at goal but didn't manage to hold the ball. It
bounced off various defenders who were unable to clear it until it finally rolled into the goal- an own goal from Michael Wardle.
'67 - George Daly from Bromley manage to shoot a screamer in from 25 yards out, an excellent goal.
'74 - Marco Adaggio missed a penalty shot remarkably.
'79 - Michael Wardle shot from 15 yards out and scored, creating the decisive lead that Worcester needed to win.
Away - Worcester vs St. Albans (Favourites), 2-1
'1 - The ball was quickly lobbed far down the field beyond the defensive line, Marco Adaggio managed to out-run the defenders and score a goal. An obvious lack in concentration from the St. Alban defenders.
'45+2 - The ball was passed through a gap in the defender's line and Marvin Brown spotted it and shot, scoring beautifully in the left pocket.
At the half-way mark Worcester is looking fairly motivated with the exception of Marvin Brown, who despite scoring is having a poor game. After a pep-talk (with the help of a translator) from Van Wyk, Brown seemed to be much more confident when he went back out onto the pitch.
'47 - St. Albans looked as if they score but it is quickly disallowed as they are off-side.
'81 - Paul Hakim from St. Albans was completely free of defenders in front of goal and easily scored. A silly mistake from the Worcester defenders.
All in All
In his first couple weeks Van Wyk has made a small impact with his entry into the Blue Square South, managing to defeat two opponents (both home and away) who were predicted to be better than the minnow team. Backroom leaks also have the Belgian discovering the delights of KFC and celebrating with the rest of the squad with a run to the American-originated restaurant.
Nationality: Belgian
Age: 33
Bio: Played Sunday League Football and didn't have any real impact on the soccer world until he retired at 32. Upon retiring, Kristian's goals were to manage a soccer team, but obviously with his credentials he was not able to manage a team such as say- Liverpool. Being a realist, he set out applying for whatever jobs he could- among these were Managerial Positions at Tranmere, Bradford, Worcester. In addition, a myriad of countries were added to his application list- all of which responded back to him to inform him he was unsuccessful. It was on the 15th of July 2009 that Worcester, approached him for a job- the only successful application.
Worcester City
Stadium: St. George's Lane, Capacity - 4000 (1125 Seated)
Captain: Wayne Daniel
Affiliations: Birmingham - Parent Club
Malvern - Feeder Club
Bio: Founded in 1902, Worcester City is a club that doesn't really ring any bells when spoken about. They were winners in the English the English Southern League Premier Division all the way in 1979- but who's heard of that league anyway? Since then, they have had no other real title contentions other than in 1980 where they came 3rd in the Blue Square Premier- since then they have been relegated and drifted in the Blue Square South. The media speculate that despite the signing of 'world class' manager Kristian van Wyk, they write in sarcastic tones, the boys at St. George's Lane have their work cut out for them and are predicted to come around 20th place this season.
Pre-Season
Van Wyk's first approach to the team was to examine the current members- to concentrate on this task he allowed Assistant Manager Carl Heeley to run the squad through the various friendlies the club had scheduled in order to see who was 'in' and who was 'out'.
The results themselves weren't anything special- more wins than losses, but the losses were significant.
Away - Worcester - 1 vs 3 - Oxford City
Away - Worcester - 1 vs 0 - Ilkeston
Home - Worcester - 1 vs 0 - Kettering
Home - Worcester - 1 vs 4 - Shrewsbury
Away - Worcester - 1 vs 0 - Windsor and Eton
Away - Worcester - 1 vs 0 - Thameshead
As a result, Van Wyk dove into the transfer market, armed with his budget of 0 pounds.
Players In
Signed Nathan Thackeray on a free, previously the young goal-keeper had been at Mansfield (2005) then had a long unemployment spell for 4 years until being picked up by Worcester.
Signed Frenchman, Jean-Francois Deslais from La Vitreenne on a free transfer. Van Wyk described the center back as a rock (in Dutch, French and German as he cannot speak English very well). He has appeared in the French CFA National and Ligue 2 under SO Romorantin and Stade Lavallois respectively.
Signed another Frenchman, Jean-Christophe Cardi from EF Bastia. The right fullback has was part of the SC Bastia squad in Ligue 1 and 2; but made no appearances.
Signed Peter Wood on a free despite being injured. The left fullback from minnow club Whyteleafe was delighted at the chance of first team football.
Players Out
Young defender Kevin Spencer was transferred to East Thurrock on a free when his skills were deemed insufficient by Van Wyk.
First team member Jake Meredith was released on a free as his skills were deemed to be overestimated by his Belgian manager.
Blue Square South
With the season underway, Worcester had their work cut out for them. With the media predicting their struggle against relegation- Van Wyk quickly adjusted his new team to a new strategy and gave them inspiring talks.
Home - Worcester vs Bromley (Favourites), 3-2
'25 - Marco Adaggio had a ball crossed to him beautifully, he shot. Unfortunately it was saved by the keeper who didn't get the ball to hands. After a rowdy scrap with a couple defenders the ball was finally flicked in by the Worcester striker.
'41 - The ball was lobbed over the defensive line and Rob Elvins, who looked to be offside, managed to tap it in. The assistant referee didn't raise his flags so the controversial goal stood.
At the half-way mark Worcester was looking motivated, however it lead to complacency...
'49 - Marvin Brown was subbed for Marc McGregor after injuring himself lightly- it seemed Van Wyk takes the health of his players seriously.
'53 - New recruit Thackeray blocked a shot at goal but didn't manage to hold the ball. It
bounced off various defenders who were unable to clear it until it finally rolled into the goal- an own goal from Michael Wardle.
'67 - George Daly from Bromley manage to shoot a screamer in from 25 yards out, an excellent goal.
'74 - Marco Adaggio missed a penalty shot remarkably.
'79 - Michael Wardle shot from 15 yards out and scored, creating the decisive lead that Worcester needed to win.
Away - Worcester vs St. Albans (Favourites), 2-1
'1 - The ball was quickly lobbed far down the field beyond the defensive line, Marco Adaggio managed to out-run the defenders and score a goal. An obvious lack in concentration from the St. Alban defenders.
'45+2 - The ball was passed through a gap in the defender's line and Marvin Brown spotted it and shot, scoring beautifully in the left pocket.
At the half-way mark Worcester is looking fairly motivated with the exception of Marvin Brown, who despite scoring is having a poor game. After a pep-talk (with the help of a translator) from Van Wyk, Brown seemed to be much more confident when he went back out onto the pitch.
'47 - St. Albans looked as if they score but it is quickly disallowed as they are off-side.
'81 - Paul Hakim from St. Albans was completely free of defenders in front of goal and easily scored. A silly mistake from the Worcester defenders.
All in All
In his first couple weeks Van Wyk has made a small impact with his entry into the Blue Square South, managing to defeat two opponents (both home and away) who were predicted to be better than the minnow team. Backroom leaks also have the Belgian discovering the delights of KFC and celebrating with the rest of the squad with a run to the American-originated restaurant.
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