Various and sundry end of season stuff for the Tuesday squad and some 
details for the still playing (thus more successful and better looking) over 
30’s team. .

Well the season has sputtered out like a dribbly guff after a particularly 
tangy vindaloo. After a compelling 1-1 draw that went to penalty kicks was 
lost after three Real Ale players could not find the back of the net and 
Karsten was unable to get near some well hit spot kicks, the season has 
ended just like last season, with a first round playoff loss. One good point 
was that Real Ale played really well against an admittedly weakened squad of 
ego’s called Tha Licks. Lots of passing, shooting and screaming (which 
offended the slightly effeminate ref) that in the end just fell short in the 
tension filled penalty shoot out. So it is now onto the indoor and the 
coaching staff would like to thank all the players for a solid effort this 
outdoor season. Alas, the management is unable to fulfill this little bit of 
wishful thinking. So many players failed to reach their peaks this year that 
it was like going mountain climbing in Holland. And if that vague reference 
makes no sense to those reading it, just think how I feel trying to write 
it. One could end the season with a bunch of witty player ratings and then 
picking a player of the year, goal of the year etc… but one shall not 
because one is dead lazy and cannot be bothered writing about 20 odd players 
and trying to come up with some funny bon mot for every chap who pulled on a 
Real Ale Madrid shirt. Let us just say that as a group the general level of 
play was not acceptable given the high standards we have set ourselves down 
the years. Perhaps a re-tooling is needed. Either that or we need more beer 
after every game. I can lick a finger and stick it in the air and gauge the 
mood of the squad on which of those two options the players would like to 
take.

Indoor starts soon and there will be one or two changes this year for all 
involved. The Thursday team will be an over 30’s entry, thus we will be able 
to take advantage of our superior pace at that age. Friday will be open to 
all and there will also be a Saturday co-ed team for those interested. Real 
Ale management will be running the first two squads. The co-ed team is led 
by our first ever player of the fairer sex, over 30’s superstar and pre B 
coaching specialist, Lynn. Well as soon as she reads this anyway she will 
know she is running it. Richie from the Sunday team is also putting together 
a Thursday over 30’s squad, so depending on how many players we get between 
both teams, we may split the numbers evenly and have two teams playing. We 
shall see on that point. All those interested in indoor, please RSVP me in 
the next week. I am guessing the season starts in mid Oct.

The over 30’s have one league game left on the schedule this Sunday at the 
lush and pool table like surface that is Derrydale. (Dixie and Derry) 10AM 
kick off.  There has been no word from the Irish squad about the game that 
was postponed earlier this year due to poor field conditions. The 
McGlaughlin cup game has been confirmed for Sept 26th 10AM kick off at 
Norton Park. We play the winners of Streetsville Thistle (our opposition 
this Sunday) and Lakeshore Wanderers from the division below us. If we win 
that we play again the following week. Time and date of that TBA, but the 
game has to be played by Oct 3rd. . IF we win that we play the final Oct 
10th. So we have a few games left to look forward to for the over 30’s team.

Thanks one and all.

Paul