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Post by sandbachhatter on Jun 27, 2017 7:54:34 GMT
Over the past seven months (November 2016 to June 2017), we have compiled an A-Z collection of some of the most interesting football teams from across the globe, known as CHASM (County Heaven's Anthology of Soccer Miscellany).
As the compilation drew to an end, I decided to try and contact all 26 clubs (or, in some cases, national teams) to inform them of County Heaven (and Stockport County), the list we had been working on, and their inclusion in that list as the most interesting club - in our view - beginning with that letter.
I didn't hold out much hope for getting many replies, with the possible exception of the two winners from the UK, but having now heard back from a few of our anthology, I decided to share the responses I have received thus far.
Enjoy
Sandy
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Post by sandbachhatter on Jun 27, 2017 7:55:27 GMT
Gibraltar United (Gibraltar) On behalf of Michel Salgado, our Board of Directors, all at the Club, and myself as President, please accept our thanks for giving us the opportunity to introduce ourselves to you.
We are a club born during the Second World War (1943), when the main intent was to keep up morale by playing games between stationed civilians and the army regiments.
We play in the premier league in Gibraltar, and are hoping to qualify for UEFA competitions in the upcoming season.
A big hello, from us at Gibraltar United and wishing you all the very best.
Paul Collado President
Gibraltar United |
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Post by sandbachhatter on Jun 27, 2017 7:56:21 GMT
Yoker Athletic (Scotland) I am delighted that your members chose Yoker Athletic! It is the first time in our 151-year history that we have won a global award, and for it to be such a prestigious one will delight our many (well, not so many) fans.
Yoker Athletic are a “Junior” football club which is a very confusing term as its actually a term used in Scotland to describe a semi-professional adult team.
We hail from the banks of the Clyde where many of the shipyard workers in days gone by used to watch and play for Yoker. As most of them wore bunnets (a Scottish word for a flat cap) in those days we could have been called “The Bunnets”; not quite as posh as “The Hatters” though.
Anyway, please pass on our good wishes to the “County Heaven” members, great to see fans following smaller clubs (no disrespect) especially with your close proximity to Manchester. Campbell
Secretary and General Dogsbody
Yoker Athletic Football Club |
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Post by sandbachhatter on Jun 27, 2017 7:57:25 GMT
Hello, it's fun that our club has been chosen.
The sports club Fylkir was founded on May 28, 1967. We have five different sports; football, gym-nastics, handball, karate and volleyball. The club has won two major titles in 2001 and 2002 and played in a European cup several times.
Many of the upcoming Fylkir players have played in England like Ragnar Sigurðsson, Ólafur Ingi Skúlason, Helgi Valur Daníelsson and our former coach Hermann Hreiðarsson.
The club is 50 years old this year.
Best regards Hörður Guðjónsson
Íþróttafulltrúi Fylkis / Sports director
Fylkir |
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Post by sandbachhatter on Jun 27, 2017 7:58:44 GMT
Loughborough University (England) Hi County Heaven,
It’s great to share information about Loughborough University Football Club, which you can probably tell through the name has a bit of a different feel to standard club in the league and non-league system.
From records the club has actually been in existence since the 1919-20 season. Loughborough University began as Loughborough Technical Institute, competing in the UAU Championship, now British University & College Sport Championships (BUCS). The first time they won the championship was in 1938/39 season and since then has become the most successful Higher Education Football Club. As well as the University Championships, the club have competed in the non-league over the years, with them now competing at Step 5 in the Midlands Football League.
From our 16/17 season squad of 30 players, all but one is a current student of the University. With the season starting in August we face plenty of challenges with students not actually starting until October. The commitment of the players each year is great to see, and this continues throughout the year with players travelling back to the university during out of term times such as Easter and Christmas form across the country.
The majority of our squad are players that have been released from academy football at 16-18 years of age. We look to then support them continue to play football at a good level whilst obtaining a degree to support them in their next career steps. Whilst representing the University a number of players do get scouted and play at step 4 and above whilst continuing their degree.
One of our more recent graduates, George Williams, is a fantastic success story: after being released by MK Dons he undertook a degree at the university representing Loughborough Uni and then signing for Worcester City before moving onto Barnsley. During his time at Barnsley he won both promotion to the Championship and the Johnstones Paint Trophy at Wembley. After a great season at Barnsley he was re-signed by MK Dons who released him at 18.
Further graduates from Loughborough University football programme who have gone onto playing at a high level include: Bob Wilson, Bradley Pritchard (Former Leyton Orient), Robbie Simpson (Exeter City), Leon McSweeney (Former Northampton Town, Leyton Orient - and Stockport County!).
A number of our student players go on to work as support staff in football. Alumni Matt Reeves is now lead strength and conditioning coach at Leicester City, winning the Premier League in the 15/16 season as well as the U20’s World Cup in South Korea 2017.
Speaking of our graduates brings me on to Sam Minihan, who I believe is doing very well at Stockport County. Sam graduated in 2016 and was club captain for Loughborough University during his time here. I wish both Sam and Stockport County all the best with the up and coming season.
We have an interesting season ahead to look forward to, with a number of players graduating leading to a number of fresh faced first years joining us for pre-season in July. One of whom joins from Stockport County Under 18s’s - Max Bardsley Rowe.
Kind regards,
Mat
Football Co-Ordinator
Loughborough University
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Post by sandbachhatter on Jun 27, 2017 8:00:16 GMT
Necaxa (Mexico) Hello.
First of all, thanks for choosing our Club, we're sure you'll find really interesting things about it.
Thanks for the nice wishes to Necaxa, and we also hope Stockport County a successful season. |
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Post by sandbachhatter on Jul 4, 2017 13:02:24 GMT
IBV Vestmannaeyjar (Iceland) Go you Hatters! Áfram Stockport County! (Translation: Play Up County!)
Via Facebook |
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