Saturday 28th April
Newmarket Town Veterans v Oliva Veterans (Spain)
7.30pm KO
On Saturday 28th April a veteran football team from Oliva, Spain, arrive for a 4 day mini football tour. The team play Newmarket veterans on Saturday 28th April and West Wratting veterans on Monday 30th April. Both games k.o at 7.30pm at Newmarket Town FC.
Oliva with a population of about 30,000 is situated on the Valencian coast, about forty miles north of Benidorm and earns it's living from oranges, rice and ceramic tiles. During their 4 days the team plan to visit London, Cambridge, a local school and also hope to see a local stud or training yard.
Newmarket Town supporter Keith Bunting who is helping to organise the tour commented 'the Oliva team comprises orange factory workers, shop assistants, bank clerks, teachers and an architect. Their best known player is Saoro Garcia who captained the Oliva team in the 1991-92 season when they played for one year in the Spanish 2nd division, against the likes of Barcelona B. Since when Oliva's fortunes have dramatically declined. Having been relegated three times they are now playing in the equivalent of the Evo-Stik league. Saoro who is now in his late 40's is the youngest player in the veterans team, some of whom are in their 60's. For many it is their first visit to England and they are hoping that many will take advantage of the free admission.
END
Newmarket Town Veterans Pen Pics
Gordon Reed
Manager....my season was prematurely ended by a tackle(a fair one) in the very first game of the season by a lad 40years younger!!!...so my contribution to Newmarket Veterens FC this season has been to endure Sunday mornings with my assisant Edgar Goodchild turning out a team to play various other Vets teams accross the county and beyond....so below is the list of the colourfull characters that have represented the Vets this season:-
Chris Conway
Our number 1 keeper (he's the only one!!) More chance of him keeping the ball out of the net than parting with his match fees!
Mike Smith
Mr Happy....plays with a smile on his face even when being skinned by the winger for the umpteenth time!!!
Trevor Claxton
Our Mr Unflappable....never gives the ball away or the secret of his hair colouring!!!
Dave Robertson
'Robbo' is enjoying his retirement....well known for his heading ability! (ha! ha!) Has an expansive range of passing to go with his expanding waistline!
Don Reddick
A versatile player, in defence likened to Beckenbaur, up front to Betty Boop!!...certainly likes a moan!!!
Mike Edwards
Or Forrest Gump...when on one of his runs we open the gates....noted for his collection of unused bottles of shampoo!!!
Rob Jones
This guy is fit!!.... will run 30 miles to play a game....last 10minutes before his hamstring plays up....then run 30 miles back home!!! exhausting just knowing him!
Nicky Smith
Mr Sicknote....if he can pull it he has!!.. bit like his younger days??....dont think he's ever attended a pre match team talk!
Martin Walker
His pace is deceptive...he's slower than he looks!!!!...knows where the goal is though, but not the bar!!....giving Robbo a run for this seasons champion 'shirt stretcher'
Paul Peacock
Our Captain...leads by example ....i.e. went missing for half the season!!!
Andy Pearson
Percy is undoubtably our most skilful player who can play anywhere.....must sometimes wonder "what the **** am I doing with this lot on a Sunday morning??"
Jonny Foster
Enticed out of retirement last season, a busy tough tackling midfielder who loves a battle...and a pint!!!!
Chris Connor
Joined this year and another member of the 'Fit Club'....who can forget his one man show against Linton earlier in the year..apparantly the car journey home with him was unbearable!!!!
Terry Pipe
or Peter Pan....has his own fan club(membership of one) who attends most games to give him support and make sure he has enough energy left for the afternoons!!!!!........to do the cooking of course!!
Simon Scott
We used to say a football and pub were two things Simon couldn't pass!!!.....not any more...certainly our most improved player.
Vince Colby
Another new player this season....very enthusiastic is the best way of descibing Vinny.....and can this guy can talk???..has a very colourful set of body tattoos!!
Simon Collins
One of our 'younger' vets...the Bird Man of Norwich can play anywhere and has even helped out in goal (just dont mention Linton)
Ady Waslin
Due to his committments in Colts football can rarely play but when he does gives it his all....his second touch is nearly always a tackle!!!
Dave Wright
Unsung hero behind the scenes and turning up to run the line....his ambition is to beat the legendary Bopper Brights record as Newmarkets oldest player....afraid not long to go now Dave!!!
Bob Shortland Thinks he's the joker of the team, but his most amusing moments are usually on the pitch!!!....actually got a a hat-trick against Kempston...thank God I missed that game!!!!!
Bob O'Connor Bob has unfortunately suffered a serious knee injury and may be out for quite a while...he will be missed on the pitch, but not in the changing rooms where is own pre-match warm up in the toilets is not enjoyed by the rest of us!!!??....enough said!
Kevin Bird Another long term injury...successfully stepped in as an emergency centre half and was pre-season favourite to be champion 'shirt stretcher' until injury robbed him of this accolade!!!.....likes his smokes!!
Oliva Veterans Pen Pics
José Luis Alemany Mena - José is in his mid 50s and a his day job is a labourer. He plays in midfield. His favourite meal is fideua
José Ramón Alemany Mena - Jose Ramon is one of the older players, having reached his 60th birthday. A farm worker by day he toils up front for Oliva
Salvador Garcia Pérez (Saoro) - Saoro at 45 years of age is the 2nd youngest squad member. He is also reputedly the fittest. Ex semi proffesional footballer, Saoro is feted in the town as the captain of the Oliva 1st team who spent one season in the Spanish 2nd Division in ther early 90s. Now works as a PE teacher
Salvador González Calafat - Salvador is another farm worker, a defender in his early 50s. His favourite meal is Paella
Victor Noguera Marí - Victor, 52, is a lawyer and works as a Notary. He is a defender
José Vicente Simó Verdú is another squad member who has passed his 60th birthday and a defender. He works as a teacher in a local school.
Julián López Montaño - in his mid 40s is an industrious forward and an industrialist by trade.
Arturo Gregori Orellana - is the youngest player in the team in his early 40s. He is an engineer, who tries to engineer goals playing as a forward
Juan Costa Arenós is a 50 year old Chemist whose madic touches can be found in midfield
Carlos Alemany Cots is another 50 year old midefielder. He is a businessman/entrepreneur
Antonio Robles González at 53 years of age he is the teams shot stopper or as the spanish say Portero (gatekeeper). He runs his own business
Salvador Morant Femenia mid 50s and a defender. Earns his living as an economist. Favourite food is Paella.
Paco Climent Sanchis is a 50 year old teacher who plays in midfield. Favourite food Chilindron de Pollo (Chicken with peppers)
Joan Miquel Garcia Pérez - Juami is in his early 50s and a successful architect. One of his daughters taught for a year in Liverpool. He plays in midfield.
Vicente Salvador Parra Salort is in his early 50s. Another goalkeeper. He earns his lkiving as a businessman
Francisco José Benimeli Peiró
Jorge Fuster Mollá is in his mid 50s. A foward who earns his living as an economist
Lope Verbo Moreno is the manager of the team. Now in his 60s he plays the occasional game as a defender. He runs his own language school
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