Page 24 - Chiron Calling Autumn 2019

After coming 3rd in the league and finishing the season with a record high number of points, 18 players under the management of Major Nige Bamford and Captain Andy Hiley set off on a tour looking to conquer New York City. Seeking to exploit the success of the 2018-19 season, this year’s tour to the New York City (NYC) provided the Army Medical Services (AMS) men’s team with everything they set out to achieve and more. Three wins out of three, enhanced team cohesion, top class training sessions and a rare opportunity to experience one of the most famous cities in the world made NYC 19 a tour the men’s AMS football team will never forget.
Following a smooth journey from Manchester to JFK Airport, the AMS wasted no time settling into their new surroundings and began day 1 with a training session in Brooklyn. The first training session gave everyone the perfect chance to blow out any cobwebs and sharpen up for the first fixture later that day against the New Jersey Police Department (NJPD). Crisp passing, smooth control and the Manhattan skyline behind the pitches left the management team purring and with a number of selection dilemmas for the game later that day. After an afternoon of rest and a tactics lesson from Major Nige ‘the tinkerman’ Bamford, the AMS travelled to Kean University Stadium for the eagerly anticipated first fixture. Boasting fantastic facilities, a 4G pitch, floodlights and a capacity to hold 2000 spectators, the AMS stepped up with ease to teach the NJPD how football should be played. Controlling possession and dictating the tempo of the game, the AMS never left 1st gear and swept aside their American counter- part finishing the match 2-0 winners. Glimpses of brilliance from Zimmerman, the poaching instinct of George Ray and the work rate of Clark the enforcer gave the management team an insight of what was to come for remainder of the tour. The AMS squad decided to celebrate their first victory of the tour by going out for a team meal and enjoying a few drinks. In order to make Nick Clifford feel more at home and less isolated, the social committee made the decision that everyone was to wear a colourful and lively shirt. This turned out to be extremely popular with the locals, and for the first time in his life Clifford didn’t stand out from the crowd due to his attire.
Because of the impressive performances shown against the NJPD, the AMS squad were given day 2 off to rest and explore the famous culture of NYC. The amazing views of the Empire State Building overlooking Manhattan, the sobering experience of the Twin Tower Memorial, the mayhem of Times Square and the impressive boat tour to the Statue of Liberty were just a handful of the landmarks the AMS squad managed to cram in one day. At the end of the day the entire squad travelled together to the Citified Stadium, home of the New York Mets. The support and chanting from the AMS clearly had a positive impact on the baseball players, with the Mets putting an end to a 5-match losing streak and winning the game with the last pitch of the day.
Having explored much of New York City, the AMS woke up feeling fresh and ready to face their next opposition; the New York Police Department. The NJPD at the end of the previous game had already warned us that NYPD were the best law enforcement team in the country and had recently won the National Cup. In turn the AMS were forced to step their game up in what proved to be a fiercely fought match. The ability to pick players from a pool of 50,000 law enforcement officers was apparent, with the NYPD starting the game extremely confidently. Demonstrating strong ball control, the ability to recycle possession and a willingness to press as a team, the midfield trio of Clark, Fisher and Hallsy were forced to work extremely hard in order to protect the AMS back four and retain possession. After a franticly paced 45 minutes and 2 world class saves from Captain Mike Brewer, the mighty AMS went into half time slightly under the cosh drawing 0-0. A calm and inspiring team talk from the management duo of Bamford and Hiley was reminiscent of the Fergie and McLaren team talk given in 99’, and the AMS went on to start the second half strongly. A well-disciplined shape off the ball, die hard defending from Titcombe and Callum ‘Sandy’ Sanderson covering every blade of grass meant the NYPD never really looked like scoring. However, despite having very little to do, veteran keeper Daz Rendell was called into action pulling out an unbelievable save to keep the match 0-0. After enjoying a strong spell of possession, the AMS
earned themselves a corner. Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Zimmerman steps up and whips in a wicked ball to the back post. Clifford manages to lose his marker, leaps like a salmon, and smashes the ball past the keeper so hard he almost breaks the net. The AMS go 1-0 up and send the crowd into ecstasy. Nige and Andy’s Barmy Army find their rhythm and soak up NYPD pressure with a good spell of possession. Five minutes later they find themselves lined up in the box waiting for another Zimmerman corner. Another sublime set piece delivery manages to find Fish ‘Gump’, who makes no mistake and laces the ball into the top corner. 2-0 AMS and the final whistle blows. After a debrief and a cool down, the AMS squad celebrate their victory by finding a bar downtown to sit back, relax and watch the Masters. A few hole in ones and some world class putting brings a perfect end to the day.
Another impressive display from Nige and Andy’s Orange Army meant they were given the fourth day off to rest and recuperate for the final fixture. In order to loosen off the legs and recover, many of the squad decide to hire bikes and explore the city on wheels. This proved to be popular with many of the players, and by the end of the fourth day the AMS were able to add Brooklyn bridge, Manhattan bridge, the Hudson river and the tranquillity of Central Park to their impressive list of sights visited.
The final day began with the AMS squad meeting in central park for a flexibility and mobility session. There was considerable interest from many New Yorkers in the park, including sunbathers who stripped down, laid back and watched the AMS prepare for their match against the New Jersey Blue. Consisting of the best players from the Emergency Services in the state of New Jersey, the AMS went into the final fixture confident they would go home with a 100% record. Consequently, the boys in Orange wasted no time in taking the game to the opposition. Although the first half finished 0-0, it was clear to see the New Jersey Blue couldn’t deal with the authority stamped by the midfield and the physicality displayed by Reeves on the right. The AMS started the second half strongly and after 10 minutes took the lead through a looping Gaz Innes header. Long periods of possession and rigid line from the back four meant the opposition rarely threatened the AMS goal. However, an AMS defensive mix up with 5 minutes to go allowed New Jersey Blue to equalise sending the game to penalties. One of the worst penalty shoot outs in the history of the game meant the AMS ran out 2-0 winners, with Gaz Inness scoring the winning penalty. Inness would later find out that evening that he won both the donkey and players player of the tour, with Joe Blacklock winning most improved player and Clark the enforcer picking up managers player. However, while there were awards and accolades for the stand out performers on the pitch, the biggest cheer went to Captain Andy Hiley for his pivotal role in organising the tour. Without his hard work, dedication and ability to put up with a squad of 18 AMS players, the AMS men’s football team would not have been able to teach the US law enforcement how to play football, and in the process create memories to last a life time.
AMS Football Tour to NewYork
22 CHIRON CALLING