View Full Version : The end of a glorious road
Tommy Trophy
19-02-2006, 09:26
Every story has an ending, every journey has a destination.
Last week, we had an adult get together at Ortonians and decided that this was the right time to call it a day at the end of the season.
Confirmation of this has gone into the league this weekend and the players were told after the game yesterday.
Since we lost Thomas Cook's as a base, we have been little more than a name, albeit a fantastic one. I worked out earlier this week that managing the club has cost me personally somewhere in the region of £2000 and finances is just 1 of the many valid reasons why this is the right decision. It was felt that the time to go was whilst we were still at or around the top and not suffer a slow lingering death.
Ortonians has always stood for a lot of good things in the game and has always been the team to beat. By hook or by crook I have at least managed to ensure that this tradition is continued.
We are 100% commited to finishing the season off with a bang, and to play in the Hunts Senior Cup final as our last game is a realistic if tough objective.
BLUE BOYS
19-02-2006, 11:54
waking up and reading that this morning comes as a complete surprise, to think that the peterborough league will be losing one of its best sides. it seams that more and more teams are losing there home bases and that has shown in the decline of saturaday and sunday footy. there will be a load of good players to be snapped up by other clubs.
mattsedd
19-02-2006, 18:21
Rivalry(?) and banter aside, this is a serious shame. I'd always rather their was an ortonians than have a league without them
Not surprised given the rumours that have been flying around for the last couple of months and a massive shame for local football, Ortonians as Tommy has said have always had a good reputation and been one of the most consistent sides in the Prem for a long time, not having a proper base is always going to make things difficult and the outcome of that has been announced.
Tommy, heard a rumour that you have already accepted the job at Peterborough Northern Star, any truth in that mate because by the sounds of things going on down at HQ it would be like stepping out the fat into the frying pan ??
Tommy Trophy
19-02-2006, 21:39
No truth in that rumour at all Spec - no idea where it came from and I have never had a conversation with anyone about PNS who already have a manager, and have improved steadily throughout the season?
Decision to call it a day has no bearing on my own position, which remains to concentrate on trying to be succesfull during the rest of this season. Next season remains a long way off, though I am 90% sure in my own mind what I will be doing.
sorry to hear about Ortonians but does this now mean with them folding that there will be another place for a team to come up from divison 1? How many teams were coming up any way with the new league structure?
i couldnt quite believe it myself when i heard it in the pub saturday night. for a team such as ortonians to fold is such a shame for the local game. it goes to show how important the people behind the scenes really are, and with out them there is simply no football. for me it was the likes of judgy, wills and karl that got me started in saturday football when i was about 16/17, starting out in ortonians A team and finally working my way up to eventually captaining the side, then through tommy came league and cup success. which was nice. all i think that what remains to be said by myself is thank you to all concerned with ortonians. thankyou.
eddie c s
20-02-2006, 13:48
does that mean im no longer banned from playing for them as there is no side anymore?
is a shame , for all the people who have been involved on the front line as well as behind the scenes. just a thought . how about the last game being played at chestnut and bringing all the names from the past down to watch , like tex and winge and phill and derek nimmo etc , just to name a few of the people i knew when i was 15/16 .
will be a shame as it goes to show a big backroom staff is needed and not just a reliable few . will they end it with silverwear??
Tommy Trophy
20-02-2006, 14:37
Eddie if ending with "silverwear" means "are we going to turn into an Abba tribute band?" then the answer is probably no!
From our discussions last week, 1 of the ways in which we were hoping to end was by bringing a number of people back from the clubs past and possibly play a game, but I am leaving it to the guys who have been involved with Ortonians considerably longer than me to decide upon an appropriate finale.
Last Monday, Birdy, Ian Bradshaw, Dave Hart & the 2 Chris's did attempt to name their all time best and worst Ortonians eleven's as we reminiced and drowned our sorrows and I am sure Alan Wilson gave you a mention.
Rather than suffer death by a thousand cuts sometimes you just to accept when something has run its course - like serious Sunday Morning football in Peterborough and the PFA maybe?
Back of the Net
20-02-2006, 15:27
Rather than suffer death by a thousand cuts sometimes you just to accept when something has run its course - like serious Sunday Morning football in Peterborough and the PFA maybe?
Massive shame if ortonians are to disband.... from my short time watching and playing in and around peterborough they have always done well and set the standard really!!! plenty of teams already sniffing around their players for next season I would imagine?
Have read with interest where Tommys next move will be?
Maybe you could come and save Sunday football as per your comment above????
I do think there's plenty of Sunday teams that would disagree and say their Sunday games and leagues are as good as ever, maybe the Prem has suffered quality wise over the last few years and this seasons 1st div is a joke!
A decent send off for a quality side would be fitting and I'm sure you'd have the support from many a nuetral - myself included!
Tommy Trophy
20-02-2006, 16:46
Sorry BOTN no offence intended in the post to the hundreds of guys who turn out every Sunday (well every one when you have a ref) and enjoy it for what it is, and will no doubt continue to do so.
My interpretation of "serious" is where the top players locally all want to play. It isn't just Peterborough where Sunday Football is struggling. Through business I have become friendly with the manager of Fantail in Liverpool who are previous winners of the National Sunday FA Cup, and even there, which has traditionally been the hottest of areas for Sunday football, interest is on the wane. To the best of my knowledge no local side has ever entered the national competition, ceratinly whilst I have lived here which is a shame.
Purely personal view, but in 5 years I can see maybe just 3 divisions on a Sunday Morning?
Bit off topic I know, but I dont like causing offence.
Back of the Net
20-02-2006, 16:58
No offence taken mate... I guess you're right it is maybe on the decline slightly but many still enjoy it..
It is indeed off topic, but I never knew we had a national Sunday comp we could enter???
any info on how too welcome if you have it?
Predictions for the league lads seeing as its Ortotnians last???
mine for what they are worth!
ortonians - hard fought all the way by runners up hotpoint!!!
hotpoint
moulton harrox
crowland
parson drove
pufc stalwart
20-02-2006, 19:00
My predictions:
Hotpoint
Ortonians
Moulton
Crowland
Parson Drove
Thats one less team good team for the Moulton Boys to worry about next season. You may have a chance now!!!!
tom flynn
20-02-2006, 22:14
The end of a glorious run was predicted by myself on this very board last week was it not?WOLVES 1 v 0 TRACTOR BOYS.Now thats better news.
Super Bendy
23-02-2006, 13:58
Good afternoon people.
I have read this posting with interest, and i also have to admit that it is a shame that Ortonians will be no more come next season. This is my first posting on this site and i have a couple of points to make- hopefully i wont offend!
Firstly, with regards to Tommys posting about no local team taking part in the National FA sunday Cup- Little Paxton of teh St Neots Sunday league won it a few years ago and have played in it quite regularly.
Secondly, although it is your last season, on a personal level (as a player of Needingworth) i hope that you dont make the Senior Cup Final!!
Finally, i saw someone make refeernce to you managing PNS next season but i have heard differently. I have heard, and is this your 90% certain location, that you will be manging Huntingdon Town next season. Would be interesting to know if this is true, if it is its a big job there but there is lots of potential at the club.
Look forward to your reply
Super Bendy
Tommy Trophy
23-02-2006, 17:18
Not sure if St Neots could be classed as "local" to Peterborough Mr Bendy - using that sort of radius I should have included Duke of York from Northampton.
Know bits and bobs about Needingworth, which is why I know and have said it will be a tough job to beat you on your own ground in the semi-final - your victories over Biggleswade Town & St Ives have not gone unnoticed
Whilst we are still trying to win our league and get to that Hunts Senior Final, I would rather concentrate on that - next season is a lifetime away at the moment. I have been fortunate enough to have received 3 offers of jobs already since it was announced we were stopping in May, but have no need to rush into any decision.
Have heard you have a good set up down there, with a decent pitch, so looking forward to the game - our 3rd semi-final in as many years.
Super Bendy
24-02-2006, 08:21
Fair point, although i only include the St Neots team as many clubs from the Huntingdon area play in it so reasonably local i guess.
Fair comment regarding movements for next season, just heard a bit of a whisper when i was watching a game there the other week.
Should be a fairly entertaining game when we play you- we played Huntingdon in the Premier Cup the other night and, like you in the previous round, despite having the Lions share of the game managed to lose to a freak goal!!!
Is there more to Ortonians packing up than has come out so far. Very strange for a club like that just to quit. Fancy there must have been a fall out. Judgey has not posted anything on here which is a first and last month he was saying he was quitting
Tommy Trophy
24-02-2006, 20:29
Carrots anyone remotely close to the club would have known that this had been on the cards for a while - please dont waste your time looking for "Lady Di" conspiracy theories - it was all amicably agreed upon, but naturally with deep regret - Chris.J is big enough to speak for himself, but is very much still involved, as are we all. The club has not operated with a fantastic reputation for 40 years to let things go downhill in the last 3 months - all those players who didnt pay subs last week - I am after you!
Tough game for us tomorrow at Leverington against whom I have somehow managed a 5/5 win record at Ortonians - they are definately due a change of fortune against us.
Chris Judge
24-02-2006, 22:11
Sorry Carrots no real fall out in club. Been away so no time to comment but for me I was just fed up with the people who run the game locally just making life difficult for people who are trying to provide teams for their leagues.
The fines have been a joke and our so called appeal against PFA was an utter disgrace on their part. The PFA defence wasa joke but then the decision was made over a cup of tea before we arrived.
As they say good things have to come to an end some time and over the years I have seen some bloody good foortballers come through the club.
By the way Tommy your record against Leverington is three from three unless you count wins when you are on the other side of the world!
Tommy Trophy
25-02-2006, 09:13
Count them all Chris - still manager whether I am there or not - otherwise I could claim to have never been beaten by PSL or Oundle. Missed 11 games over the 3 seasons because of Holiday, Work or Hospital which sounds a lot (6 of which were won) but at under 4 a season is only bettered by Lee Ayres of the players. (our centre forward - never been booked in over 100 appearances - want that to change by the end of the season)
Again to reiterate that the clubs handling by the PFA & League this or any other season did not, for me have any bearing on the decision - at our meeting no mention was made of it before the decision was taken.
The Bird
27-02-2006, 11:59
Sorry Carrots no real fall out in club. Been away so no time to comment but for me I was just fed up with the people who run the game locally just making life difficult for people who are trying to provide teams for their leagues.
The fines have been a joke and our so called appeal against PFA was an utter disgrace on their part. The PFA defence wasa joke but then the decision was made over a cup of tea before we arrived.
As they say good things have to come to an end some time and over the years I have seen some bloody good foortballers come through the club.
By the way Tommy your record against Leverington is three from three unless you count wins when you are on the other side of the world!
Blah blah blah. Surprise surprise another rant and rave. Hard done by on this, hard done by on that. Accept the fact that you played an illegal player. The rules have been the same for all teams and if the relevant people can't read the rules correctly then they have to accept the consequences. Yes mistakes are made. Quit the sob stories and take it like a man.
Is there any wonder that Ortonians aren't the most popular team in the Peterborough League but alot of this boils down to comments like the above. All this crap about fines. The rules are there for everybody, you break them you get punished. Fill the sheets in correctly and you don't get fined. Simple really even for a man of your intelligence!!!!!!
Anyway CJ I like the reasons for you quitting :bby:
Respect to Tommy and everything you have done in bringing success back to Ortonians. Shame it has come to an end as the league will be poorer without Ortonians in it.
Chris Judge
27-02-2006, 19:54
No doubt The Bird is another jealous of Ortonians success over the years.
So at least our departure from the soccer scene will give a lesser light like The Bird's club to win some silverware at last.
Your team must be really sick of losing to us every season.
I am sure I am not the only person involved with a club who is unhappy that fines are twenty pounds and I voted against it at the agm
carefree
27-02-2006, 20:05
cj does always seem to point his finger at all the ruling bodies.
its a hard job for the pfa and league comittees without moaners.
league will miss ortonians but it will not make it a weaker league!
would say that most of ortonians players will still be in the pboro prem nx season and looking at div 1 sides deeping chatteris, wimb harriers and woodlands all would grace the prem with ease and could finish in top half of it or even top 3. woodlands disposed of prem sides this season as did deeping with real ease.
so with this in mind it can only get stronger.
will ortonians still have a reserve side (becoming 1st team in the lower league?)
as they can do as other lower league teams do and play at bushfields or werrington or bretton woods or some other council pitch. at least then they would still keep up that 40 yrs plus playing pboro league football.
I think the fines are too high for the smaller offences on team sheets
If you get caught speeding it is about sixty quid so 20 for missing out a tick looks steep. It is not as though they need the money or use it well
I dont always agree with Judgey but you need someone to criticise the league or they would get away with murder
They need some new blood on the comittee and if Judgey and Ortonians are quitting he would be right to join them and give the clubs a voice
where are all the ortonian boys going does anyone have any ideas heard any rumours or knwo for certain that your side or another side has got a players signature for next year? any thing to say tommy c if you can say as you may want to keep it quiet?
Tommy Trophy
17-03-2006, 20:51
Sorry Robbo? needs to stay under wraps for a little while longer as there are some delicasies to overcome.
Tommy Trophy
23-03-2006, 07:03
Just thought that I would let those of you in the Ortonians South Cambridgeshire Supporters Club know that our glamour friendlies are confirmed as March 29th against March and April 11th versus Cambridge United at Huntingdon Town.
Went to see St.Neots play on Tuesday night - typical UCL side, who will be tough but not impossible to beat, with the 2 division gap being largely made up of fitness, attitude and no nonsense approach to game.
Pleased that Whittlesey are up for beating us Saturday, which is how it should be - hope Alconbury play as well against Hotpoint as they did against us and it could be an interesting day.
You keep saying that you hope Alconbury play as well against us as they did against you Tommy, only problem with what you are getting at is that you were bloody awful Saturday.
Perhaps you are getting your theory ready that they are going to throw it against us, I will have the game videoed for you so you can analyse your conspiracy theory.
Tommy Trophy
23-03-2006, 08:26
Not with you Spec mate sorry - Alconbury played really well against us last week - I would go as far as to say that on that performance they gave us as good a game as anyone this season.
You can see how they managed to go unbeaten for such a long time. Problem is that they have now lost 2 on the spin and a number of sides in our league seem to throw the towell in late in the season if they have nothing to play for - just hope Alconbury dont turn out to be one of them.
I am pretty confident though that the likes of Alec Dalton have too much pride in their performance to let that happen and can nick something from you. Anyway I have enough to worry about apparently with Whittlesey and as you know your results are irrelevant if we keep winning.
I didn't take it as though it was aimed at us and you are quite right Tommy, if you keep winning there is f*** all we can do about it, runners up would be our best ever position but that means f*** all to me either !!
At least we would be in the Jack Hogg as runners up though because the champs wouldn't exist so that would give me an early opportunity to win my first trophy although as you well know I have never classed that as anything to brag about even though you lorded it :lol:
Tough weekend ahead matey for us both, out for a beer after ??
Tommy Trophy
23-03-2006, 12:23
Sort of agree that you should not go overboard about the Jack Hogg, but it is a trophy that you have be good to be invited into in the first place, and winning is better than losing (especially 7-0). It is also nice to be in the priviliged position of being able to lord winning 2 of them when it suits me
Fully intend blowing the froth of a few on Saturday whatever the results
Tommy Trophy
19-04-2006, 14:39
Looking forward to a week Monday when we will put on our sponsorless shirts (like Barcelona!) for the last time against St.Neots in the Hunts Senior Cup final (who are up to 4th in the UCL Premier and unbeaten this century of something)
Then with the exception of the Ryder Cup golf match with champions elect Hotpoint it will be a reclaimed life of leisure for me.
Many thanks to those clubs of various standing that have expressed an interest in my dubious services next year, but to nip the various rumours in the bud I can confirm that I will not be involved in any way with any side next year. Can never say never in terms of the longer term future but this will 100% be the case next season.
carefree
20-04-2006, 02:54
can't say u have been many people's cuppa tea tommy, but your record speaks for itself since you have been at ortonians you certainly turn them around. good luck to you AND THANK F*** you have gone!!!
maybe we can all now relax!
:pty:
only joking
tom flynn
20-04-2006, 16:08
You can ref for a season Tommy!!!!!!
Tommy Trophy
20-04-2006, 16:30
Certainly enjoyed my time as a referee Mr Flynn, and was lucky enough to advance very quickly, but I have not registered for a few years now and will be off the list - not one for going back in life though and I am certainly staying involved in football but looking to experience different aspects if possible.
I assume that Spec & Carefree that is as near to a compliment as you are ever going to give so I will accept it and thank you!
PS - phone call from Mr Waller - PSL beat Whittlesey 3-1 last night so the PDFL site must be wrong!
we lost 3-2 in a totally even game which both teams would've been unlucky to have lost. couple of mistakes but attitude and commitment is now first class in the team so the positive results wont be too far behind!
Sorry Tom got result wrong way round when i called someone at the game! Naturally assumed it was PSL who were winning,
Good luck to both you and Spec in the Saturday shootout and see you at the Westwood race night Friday!
Tommy Trophy
21-04-2006, 13:57
Not like you to get your facts wrong JP McWall!
I am not expecting to see Spec there this evening at the Lord Westwood do - he has taken his Hotpoint side away to a secret 5-star location in March so that his Galacticos are ready for their final game tomorrow with a sorry Wimblington OB.
I understand they have been having trophy lifting training, which perplexed 1 or 2 of them and Ruddy pulled a hamstring when put onto Darcy's shoulders who himself pulled a back muscle.
Worked out that even if you had us down as something like 1/2 & 4/6 shots in our last 2 games (which in itself is debatable) we come out at 6/4 against winning both. So purely on mathamatical terms Hotpoint have to be favourites - does not have any bearing on what will actually happen as we are very much aware that we still have it all to do.
Tommy Trophy
02-05-2006, 10:16
Well what can you say - unbelievable!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Could have been 4 down after 15 minutes, thanks in no small part to the acute tactical genius of the Ortonians manager but what people don't realise is that by playing a system we have not played all year and being rubbish lulled St Neots into a false sense of security.
I genuinely thought we were the better side 2nd half and boy wonder was outstanding, along with the defence - and the midfield come to that. Thankfully, getting Glen & Ayresy on the pitch towards the end helped maintain the drama as they both displayed an admirable reluctance to score and make the game boringly safe.
1-0 will do just fine though and fills in the gap in my own personal CV - beating a team from 2 levels higher (and a good team at that level as well) is a marvellous thing and what a way to finish. (sat at work now but still feel the worse for wear - hope the rest of the team feel the same?)
carefree
02-05-2006, 13:14
cld have and shld have been 4 nil down means naff all, its goals that count!
well done to all the staff and players at ortonians, there aint a team in pboro or anywhere else who cld pull out of any league with that kind of record. league and county champs!!
just thinking back i have seen u boyz play a numba of times and shld have been 2 or 3 down and then snatched a goal then go on to win :lol:
gud luck 2 u all
Tommy Trophy
11-05-2006, 12:51
Big thanks to the ET for doing a nice piece on the club in tonights paper in what was a fitting resume of the clubs history.
Cheers to those of you that also contributed some comments of your own.
Just want to defend Spec in case anyone thinks he was being ungracious with his comments (like the text message I have just received!) - these comments were actually made back in February / March when it first broke and he was having a bit of a tease, so though it looks a bit like sour grapes, I can assure everyone that Spec has been a complete gentleman since we were fortunate enough to pip them at the post, and I also think Hotpoint (aka AFC Fletton) deserve congratulating on their own fine season.
Cheers Tommy, haven't seen the ET yet and can't believe they have printed that piece, as you say it was back in Feb when the mind games were beginning for the title run-in and a bit of fun, I am the biggest fan of your achievements and Ortonians as a club as well because I know the hassle that has gone with it, once again you deserved your success this season and fair play to you although I wish I could have had one more season against you but maybe another time ay !!
Good luck in your year off and any decent days out you might have planned then give me a bell 'cos I won't be on that touchline every week anymore, see you Saturday and looking forward to it although I played like a complete c*** yesterday, it's the first time I ever contemplated walking off a golf course !!
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