Annan prepare for festive football
I want to start with a small thank you to those who left comments regarding last week's blog as I've not had much chance to reply this week.
Most were positive and a few not so - but opinions are what it's all about and it shows that people are at least taking an interest in what's going on at .
We were a little unfortunate to lose to on Saturday. A couple of errors cost us two goals, but I think the definite turning point in the match was the sending off of Steven Archibald only five minutes after we had taken the lead.
This meant we had to play out the last 70 minutes with only 10 men and that's hard enough at the best of times. But, on a pitch like ours on Saturday, it made it all the more difficult.
I was reading an article by on Tuesday and he was talking about the possibility of summer football in Scotland.
When you look at the state of our pitch on Saturday and the amount of cancellations in the last few weeks, it's easy to see why this is once again a topic for discussion at the top level.
Not only does the bad weather affect the quality of football, but it's costing clubs and supporters a lot of money travelling up and down the country only for matches to be called off, sometimes little more than an hour before kick off.
At the minute, I'm about 50/50 with this idea, but I certainly believe that bringing the winter shutdown back should be looked at again. I suppose if that had been in place already, we would only have played for two weeks this year - the winter seems to have been that long!
I see our old friends and rivals have kept up their amazing record in the Scottish Cup and have made it through to the fourth round.
After losing the original tie 2-1 the match was replayed after . I am pleased for the club but can't help think 'what if'.
We let ourselves, the supporters and the club down that day with our performance in the second round defeat to Spartans. Obviously, nobody knows what would have happened, but I'm sure our confidence would have been high going into the Elgin City tie after defeating them 5-0 the previous week.
Anyway, that's gone and I'm sure I speak for everyone at Annan in wishing Spartans all the best in the next round away to Airdrie.
We are fast approaching the all-important festive period and it's going to be a strange one for us this year to be actually playing competitive games.
Up until last season, we would always have a two-week break over Christmas and New Year in the East of Scotland League, and were able to properly let our hair down. It wouldn't really matter too much if we were training and you were a little worse for wear.
Not this year, though, I'm afraid! With games on the 27th of December and then the 3rd of January, we can't afford to enjoy ourselves too much and I'm sure the manager will be warning us all to look after ourselves over the next few weeks.
The fixture list hasn't been too kind to us either, with trips away to both Stenhousemuir and Elgin City. I must admit to being delighted on finding that the re-arranged fixture up at can't be played in between on the 30th December as was originally planned.
Although unfortunately I won't be there on Saturday, the club are holding their Christmas Dance this weekend. I'll still do my very best to get any stories to you for next week - I'll have my very best on the job!
See you next week.
Hi there, I'm Chris Jardine, midfielder with Scottish Third Division side Annan Athletic. I hope, throughout the season, I can give you a good insight into life at the newest Scottish League club and maybe even a few laughs along the way.
Comment number 1.
At 17th Dec 2008, Tundra_Boy wrote:I think it might be good if you could go into hibernation for a few weeks in Scotland the way the weather goes. I always think you don't see the sun for a good eight months sometimes!
It could be good to have summer football also as not too much is happening sportwise so it could get Scottish football (especially non Rangers and Celtic) onto more people's schedule and get more people interested.
Also would be nice to use the rare good weather in Scotland.
Re: the blog, keep up the good work man!
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Comment number 2.
At 17th Dec 2008, adrian_chiles_fan wrote:Agree with summer football as it would make it interesting and its alot nicer going to a game when its sunny.
Only problem was the Spartans link. Surely its a football team so would be good to see about the team rather than the Sparta and the Spartans from 300.
Keep it up tho!
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Comment number 3.
At 17th Dec 2008, sinduda wrote:Hi,
We in Ireland have had summer football for a while now and it really does make a difference. Footy on a friday evening in the sun (ok, not that much sun in Derry, but you get the picture) and then out for a few glasses of Rose. There is no real negative effect to this. It did not hinder our (Derry City) performance in Europe a few years back!!! Bring on the summer fun!
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Comment number 4.
At 17th Dec 2008, piorek wrote:Good blog this week Chris.
Any chance you could do a quick vote with the players on whether they want summer football or not ? Everybody talks about how it would be better but what do they think ?
Personally I think we must try it in Scotland, either March to November straight through or August to end June with Dec and Jan shutdown.
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Comment number 5.
At 17th Dec 2008, WJRSpartan wrote:Thanks for your kind words of support for Spartans Chris.
Airdrie will be tough but if they are going to go though they better beat us at New Broomfield as we'll take anyone at City Park - other than Dalbeattie, Annan, Edin Uni ... obviously
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Comment number 6.
At 18th Dec 2008, ManStunited wrote:Chris, I've been reading your blog for a while, it's great! I'm a Queen's Park fan myself so I appreciate lower division, it's great to get an insight.
About the summer football though, it can't happen! it simply can't. It's a culture change, several Scots go abroad in the summer and think of having to play through the world cup and euro competitions, or if Scotland qualify the whole season would have to come to a halt, and incase you haven't noticed it's not exactly 100 degrees in the summer and snowing in the winter, it's rain ALL year round! Summer football won't, and shouldn't, happen!
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Comment number 7.
At 19th Dec 2008, Everholmone wrote:Great stuff Jardie. Plenty of competition for places in midfield now and if Jacko, Hoolockin and Gillfillan all stay fit we should start putting points on the board.
There are too many people in Scottish football who fail to look ahead and would rather stay in the dark ages. Summer football will make a difference to crowds and performances. If the powers that be are worried the change may affect the national team or European competitions why not just introduce it to the SFL teams and leave SPL as it is? I don't think we at Annan need to woory too much about any players being affected.
Am I the only person who thinks Kenny Deuchar currently free from MLS commitments could do a job at Annan for 3 or 4 months?
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Comment number 8.
At 19th Dec 2008, dunion wrote:Good article jardie as always. Stick in and hopefully the team will get stronger next year with us now aware of the level we need to be at. We need some strong leadership from you now and this is surely a good test of your metal.
Stop all the speculation and lets concentrate on supporting who we have here rather than speculating on new arrivals. We could never afford Deuchar anyway and don't want to end up over reaching ourselves in only our first year. Let's stick with the team we have and get some points.
Looking forward to more lower league gossip and not taking things too seriously.
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Comment number 9.
At 19th Dec 2008, FOCKSSS wrote:i think my remark on last week's blog regarding 'real footballers' was misinterpreted. i wasn't insinuating that chis isn't a real footballer (i.e. a premiership star); more that i read this blog (and gavin strachan's) because i want to hear about footballing issues and not the tales of drunken nights out.
i appreciate nights out are integral to boosting team morale at any level of football (and in any industry) but last week's article seemed more interested in bigging up the boys than focusing on anything closely related to football.
anyhow, this was an interesting read chris and you raised some very valid points on summer football. i actually don't pay too much attention to scottish football but appreciate this must be an issue that causes a lot of concern for players and supporters alike north of the border.
keep up the good work and happy holidays!
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