...FOOTBALL CLUB 1st XI - Simon Griffith Finished 9th in Premier League. Small improvement on last season. Unfortunately we drew too many games, where we should have held on to leads. Availabilities generally have been very good and hopefully we can keep the squad together next season. A few new signings made in March hopefully will stay, and they’ll make a big difference. Improve next season again and turn the draws into wins. 2nd XI - Ian Bird At the time of writing we still have 1 game to go and we only need 1 point to secure a second place finish which will be enough to get us promoted. However, it has been a very tough season, particularly with games being rescheduled, injuries to a number of players and a retirement, making it very difficult to field a settled side. Congratulations to Sam Bird on being voted a very worthy player of the season 3rd XI - Jason Clarke The 3rd XI had a baptism of fire jumping two divisions to start the season in division 5. Initial games were close for long periods, but then the higher tempo and physical demands of the game led to the team fading. Performances began to improve but results cruelly did not match the performances. With a change in captain ( Declan Coyne ) and couple of new regular squad players, we won 4 out of the final 6 games. Player of the season was Paul Anderson and Top goal scorer goes to Ryan Tibbins. 4th XI - Richard Edgington The fourth team were winning games but losing friends culminating in the embarrassment of an abandoned game which resulted in the resignation of the manager. We pulled together to rebuild the team from scratch with just four players remaining after banning all others. It is a credit to the club that we fulfilled our fixtures whilst rebuilding our reputation with referees, opponents and league officials. Vets - Will Mathews The vets had a great season coming through a tough group unbeaten. A semi-final against last season’s winners Cresconians came next but stunning goal from Steve Saunders secured a very hard fought 1 - 0 win. Unfortunately the final was one step too far and we lost 2-0 to a very good Shirley side. We hope to gain revenge next season and go that one step better. 125 Year Anniversary - Andy Stevens (Football Club President) Next season marks 125 years since the football club was formed. We will be marking the occasion with a Family Fun Day and spectacle game consisting of a highbred 1st XI and Vets XI HGSOB team facing off against a Birmingham & District AFA Select XI made up of players for the other three oldest amateur clubs in Birmingham - namely Wake Green, Walsall Phoenix and Silhill FC. This will take place on SATURDAY 15 JULY 2017 at our club (47A Romilly Avenue, Handsworth Wood, B20 2AT (opposite the school playing fields). There will be events and games for the kids. Refreshments and food for all spectators, live music and revelry! All readers are welcome and encouraged to come along and join in. CLUBS AND SOCIETIES 34 BRIDGE TRUST OLD BOYS’... divisions to start the season were close for long periods, but then the higher season’s winners Cresconians came next but Vets Cup Final