Team news

The success of Southside FC  means that we have 20+ players wanting to play in each match. The feedback I've had so far suggests that the majority of people want to stick to 1 squad, and want to limit  match day squad sizes to a manageable number of about 15.  This  means, for the first time, that I won't be able to offer a place in the match day squad to everyone who trains at the Dome.
It's likely that we'll offer everyone the choice of being either a casual club member or a full club member.
To join as a full club member, all you need to do is buy yourself a club shirt - (Cost £12-£20)- then you'll get a squad number. (The Southside Chief Exec has bought 15 shirts for Southside staff and customers , so these 15  full club  member  spots will be available to Southside Staff and Customers ) If you don't join as a full member, you'll be welcome at the Dome every Tuesday,  but will only be eligible for match day squads if fewer than 15 full club members are available.
At the moment this is just a proposal.We can discuss this on Tuesday.

Get well soon Yusuf

A sad end to a great performance on the pitch last night for Yusuf, who left for hospital with a dislocated shoulder.Yus was injured in the second half of a pulsating encounter between Southside FC and Crown Agents.
Big thanks to the lads from Crown Agents who helped Yus until the ambulance arrived.
Most of our subs left early and so the team battled on with 10 men while I went to call an ambulance and look for a spare shirt so that Daniel knowles could get on the pitch to replace Yus.
Loads of great play on show - the last 20mins was probably some of the best football Southside have played  - solid at the back, and creating chances for fun up front.
Loads of positives as ever, but last night was a bit of a watershed and we'll need to restructure the club , of which more later.
Thanks to everyone for your efforts.Get well soon Yus.

Dome Session - 18th Jan

Great Session. Very well attended  with loads of good football on show.
I hope everyone's looking forward to the  11 a side match on Monday.

Best Fans in the world

Check out the Southside fans( subs) roaring the team on to glorious defeat from the main stand at the Palace Stadium on Monday. I only  filmed 30 seconds of the first half and 1 min near the end of the second half - My hands were too numb to operate the camera.
 Southside fans outnumbered Ewell fans 10-1: that's actual numbers, not a ratio! Great to See Scott's Dad and Yusuf's family  on the touchline too. Big thanks to everyone who braved the cold and wet to represent Southside on Monday.

Southside 0, MRC Ewell 2.

Southside crashed out of the Millenium Invitation Cup last night despite a valiant effort from the whole squad. Despite the scoreline, the match was actually very even. MRC Ewell went ahead in the first half after a Ewell forward crunched Geoff in goal with a crude challenge to make Geoff spill the ball. Southside battled on and were still in the game until late in the second half. Southside looked solid in defense until Ewell made the game safe with a flukey second.
  So we lost, but the team spirit on show was a vast improvement on last week. Everyone  worked really hard, exemplified by Chet who continued after being  pulled from the mud in the second half following a  big collision. We are nowhere  near reaching our potential yet.When we do we'll start scoring a hatful of goals.
Keep the faith. See you all next Tuesday.

Spain

We might have a chance to play in a friendlly 8 a side tournament in Southern Spain later this year. I've just heard that it's likely to be in October rather than April so we've got time to save up. Let me know if you're interested

Southside 0, Effra 2.

Fortunately we've got a great opportunity on Monday to put this game behind us.
We had a  lot of quality on the pitch but teamwork wins games and Effra's team spirit and organisation won the day. Despite some good passages of play, we were lucky not to lose more heavily against a side who were arguably weaker on paper than us.
Not to worry, football's all about BOUNCEBACKABILITY - so if we put in a great performance on Monday all will be forgotten and forgiven.

Big numbers

21 players, 100+ minutes, 20+ goals. Fantastic session to kick off the new year.
Thanks to everyone who attended and made it a great night of football.