Welcome to the web pages of Northop Hall Old Boys (over-35's veterans) Football Club, lovers of the beautiful game who put their ageing bodies on the line each week to satisfy that desire (and in a vain attempt to keep middle-age spread at bay!)
Click here to view the 2010-11 fixture list
*** LATEST NEWS *** LATEST NEWS *** LATEST NEWS ***
SEPTEMBER 2010
Old Boys set for season opener
AUGUST 2010
Honours even in stern Stationmasters test
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OLD BOYS SET FOR SEASON OPENER
The Old Boys completed their pre-season with a game between themselves on Tuesday evening, with Team 1 defeating Team A by four goals to two in a good contest. Graham Wilks and Phil Southern were on the scoresheet for team 1 before late addition Declan Hickey added two late goals to decide things. Anthony Woosey scored the Team A goals. There were a couple of small injuries picked up on the night which is always a concern, but hopefully they won't affect availability for Saturday's opening game at Eastham (kick off 2:30 at Port Sunlight Rugby Club, Green Lane off the A41). Phil Southern will take charge as Dave Henrys has work commitments which will see him miss the two opening games. Confidence is high though after some good pre-season run outs and what looks to be a strong squad put together for the new campaign.
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SALTNEY CALL-OFF FOR SEPTEMBER 18th
Saltney Vets have called off their fixture against Northop Hall Old Boys due to take place on September 18th, as it clashes with a big golf tournament that many of their players are taking part in. We will try and get a replacement fixture, but it will be difficult at this stage of the season as most other sides will already have a game in this early on. However, keep checking this page for updates.
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HONOURS EVEN IN STERN STATIONMASTERS TEST
The Old Boys ended their pre-season friendlies with a hard-fought draw against the young lads from Stationmasters, an ideal workout before next weekend's season opener at Eastham. New striker Darren Brierley (pictured below) was on target again in the 2-2 draw. Click here to view the match report. Click on the photo below or on "Gallery" on left to see some of the other new faces for 2010/11 and the Breast Cancer article & picture from The Leader.
EIFION HOPEFUL OF FULL RECOVERY FOR CHARITY PEDAL TO PARIS
Just six weeks after having his appendix out, Eifion Jones will be setting out from London to Paris on a 300 mile charity bike ride to raise funds for the Royal British Legion on Wednesday, September 1st. The ride is due to take four days and will certainly test his powers of recovery! If you would like to support Eifion's efforts, you can click here to donate.
BOAR'S HEAD SIGN UP TO REPLACE BLACK LION FOR POST-MATCH REFRESHMENT
The Boar's Head on Village Road, Northop Hall, affectionately known locally as the "Top Monkey", has stepped in to replace the Black Lion as Lianne closes the doors for the final time on August 21st. The landlord, who is known to all as Fletcher, will be providing similar fayre to the Black Lion starting with the next pre-season game on Friday 27th August.
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MUCH TO PLEASE DESPITE FRIENDLY DEFEAT
The traditional pre-season game with the young Moneysupermarket team ended in a 4-1 defeat, but with six new players taking the pitch there was much for the Old Boys to take from a game they were never expected to win and it provided an excellent run out before the season starts for real next month. Click here to view the match report by our "cub reporter".
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MONEYSUPERMARKET GAME TO BE LAST BACK TO BLACK LION AS LIANNE CALLS TIME
The pre-season game against Moneysupermarket.com (Monday 16th August, k.o. 6:30 p.m. at Northop Hall) will be the last time we go back to the Black Lion inn in the village to enjoy post-match hospitality. Lianne is calling time on her pub career next weekend and we will need to make alternative arrangements (which we are already looking into). We take this opportunity to say a huge thanks to Lianne for all she's done for us and the very best of luck in whatever she does in future. Our opposition used to love to go back there after the game and our next hosts have a lot to live up to.
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BREAST CANCER CARE BENEFIT FROM OLD BOYS FUNDRAISERS
A total of £200 has been passed on to the Breast Cancer Care charity following fundraising efforts over the past two seasons. This was originated by volunteer referee Adie Goss, who asked that we raise funds in lieu of payment for his officiating duties. This followed Adie's wife Hazel successfully battling the disease herself and raising funds with Adie a few years ago. We were Northop Hall Veterans in those days and we fielded a side and chipped in some cash at a marathon 5-a-side game at Deeside Leisure Centre. This is a terrific and typically selfless way for Adie to ask for reward. We would like to take this chance to thank him officially for his efforts for us - he gets an unbelievable amount of stick out there in the middle, but we're extremely grateful that he keeps returning with the whistle for us!
Click here to download a very nice acknowledgement and thank you letter from Breast Cancer Care (PDF format)
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GET WELL SOON's - EIFION & MEL TO MISS SEASON OPENERS
A couple of get well messages from the Northop Hall Old Boys to two of our stalwarts. Our sponsor Eifion Jones has had his appendix out during the summer and will be out of action for a while as he recovers. And we have learnt that Jayne Barnes, wife of striker Mel, is also currently ill in hospital leaving the 'big man' looking after the homefront and also unavailable for a while. We wish both Eifion and Jayne a full and speedy recovery.
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MONEYSUPERMARKET BACK FOR PRE-SEASON OPENER
For the third successive season, the lads from Moneysupermarket.com based in Ewloe will provide the first action of the new season for the Old Boys. The pre-season friendly has been arranged for Monday August 16th at Northop hall, kicking off at 6:30 p.m. Traditionally a strong and youthful opposition, they provide a good measure for us and results have improved year on year despite early season unavailabilities. Again, we hope to use this game to give everyone a first run-out and to have a look at some of the new talent we've attracted over the summer.
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STATIONMASTERS TO PROVIDE PRE-SEASON TEST
TWO FURTHER DIARY DATES FOR PLAYERS TO NOTE:- Prior to the start of the regular veterans season, we have arranged a friendly with the young lads from Stationmasters (Buckley) who have helped us out in the past with fixtures to fill free dates. This one will be on FRIDAY, AUGUST 27th at home, kick-off 6:30 p.m. (leaves the rest of the bank holiday weekend free for people).
The second diary date is an extra session that has been organised at Northop Hall for TUESDAY, AUGUST 31st at 7 p.m. in the build up to the opening fixture at Eastham the following weekend. We have had such a good response to the newspaper publicity that the squad is now a very healthy size. We need to make sure we have a chance to look at everyone before the season starts and that Tuesday evening we hope to have enough of a turn out to play a bit of a full 11 a-side match between ourselves. Dave Henrys will be contacting players shortly, but please let Dave know availability for these two dates a.s.a.p.
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Saltney call off for September 18th
Eifion hopeful of full recovery for charity pedal to Paris
Boar's Head sign up to replace Black Lion for-post match refreshment
Much to please despite friendly defeat
Moneysupermarket game to be last back at Black Lion as Lianne calls time
Breast Cancer Care benefit from Old Boys fundraisers
Get Well Soon's - Eifion & Mel to miss season openers
Moneysupermarket back for pre-season opener
Stationmasters to provide pre-season test
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