Page 152 - RAPTC Year of 2019

150
www.raptcassociation.org.uk
RAPTC FOOTBALL CLUB
SSgt (SSI) L Hathaway RAPTC
Anew season with the same principles was the demand from the Team Manager (Capt (MAA) K Haley) at the start of our annual pre-season training week. In the last couple of seasons, the RAPTC FC has been building upon the foundations of recognising and encouraging football talent, whilst instilling a philosophy that resembles that of modern-day football, more importantly the ethos of the RAPTC. The objective for the season (non-negotiable) was to gain promotion into the Massey League Division One, the Team Manager could not have been any clearer in his message for success in the upcoming season.
During the off-season and in preparation for the upcoming season the Massey League AGM was held in Blandford. The RAPTC FC management was successful in stating their case for changing the dates of fixtures in the 19 / 20 season from Fridays to Mondays. Ever since the Massey League was established, representative fixtures have been scheduled on a Friday morning and the change would go against previous traditions. The change in fixture dates will enable the RAPTC to be even more competitive due to the increased availability of players on a Monday.
This season started off in a way which the management haven’t seen in a very long time. The players were in a serious frame of mind and confident in the abilities of each other throughout the squad. The return of key players from injury (SSgt (SSI) G Baily and Sgt (SI) M Evans) and Operational commitments (SSgt (SSI) L Spires) alongside the recruitment of an incredibly talented and experienced coaching staff (WO1 (SMI) P Holden and Mr N ‘Fuey’ Winscombe ex-QMSI RAPTC) certainly played a part. An unbeaten run of form towards the back end of the season had also raised expectations moving into the start of the new season.
In attempt to control the excitement and energy flowing throughout the squad, pre-season training kicked off with a bang. After excellent planning during the off-season, SSgt (SSI) C Charles arranged a week of training that coincided with a visit to Reading FC. After a short tour of the stadium with the Head of Coaching at Reading FC and a quick AGM, training started in good fashion in the Reading FC Training Complex. The intensity and demand from all the players was extremely high considering it was the first time the players had been together in several months. The competitiveness led to slight frustrations throughout the squad, even a couple of fallouts. However, the Manager was pleased with the attitude and wished that it continued for the remainder of the week and leading into the first fixture of the season.
The first fixture of the season started with a victory against the AMS in a 6-0 thrashing and was followed up a week later against a very well prepared RAC resulting in a 1-1 draw. A 2-1 defeat against the
RAPTC FC pre-season training was held at Reading FC after a tour of the stadium
Capt (MAA) L Davison, Mr Carl Plunkett (Reading FC Head of Coaching) and Capt (MAA) K Haley
AGC who appear to be our seasonal bogey team took the gloss of a decent start to the season. However, following results against the RA and the Int Corps, 2-1 and 4-1 respectively, has put the team in a very good position of sitting second in the league with games to spare and a higher goal difference than our rivals. Fate firmly lies within the RAPTC FC hands and if all the remaining games are won, then promotion will be successfully achieved. Unfortunately, progression in the Woolwich cup ended quickly due to a 3-1 defeat against the RLC. On a positive note, the performance was outstanding and one of the best in recent years.
Sgt (SI) M Glass and Sgt (SI) M Evans have continued to excel at all levels of Service football, with representation at UKAF and Army level. Recently they were both selected to represent the Army in the Inter-Services competition and on behalf of the RAPTC FC, we wish them the best of luck.
In June 2020, the RAPTC FC are looking forward to what will be an excellent Overseas Sports Visit to Toronto, Canada. WO2 (QMSI) J Essam has done an outstanding job with the preparations and we all look forward to what will be a fantastic experience. Throughout the planning, sponsorship has helped support the visit and seems like the perfect opportunity to give Service Sport and Genesis a special mention and our sincere thanks.
On behalf of the RAPTC FC, we wish Lt Col (MAA) R Gilbey and his family all the best as he retires from the Service. After an outstanding 29 years devoted to the RAPTC and much of that time devoted to the club he is moving on to pastures new and will be sorely missed.
The management structure within the RAPTC FC is in excellent shape and will continue to evolve and strengthen throughout the season. Furthermore, the talented pool of players fully intend to deliver on the objectives set out at the beginning of the 19 / 20 season; most notably promotion to the top flight being the key outcome. The club can further look forward to enjoying a well- earned Overseas Visit to Canada in 2020.
Awards - 18 / 19 Season
Corps Colours – WO2 (QMSI) J Essam, SSgt (SSI) G Baily and SSgt (SSI) L Spires.
Busby Trophy – SSgt (SSI) L Hathaway.
Managers’ Player of the Year – WO2 (QMSI) A Murray.
Players’ Player of the Year – Sgt (SI) M Glass.
Most Improved Player of the Year – Sgt (SI) D Hammond.
Sgt (SI) M Glass and Sgt
(SI) M Evans posing for a photo whilst representing the Army Football Association
Capt (MAA) L Davison and Capt (MAA) K Haley presenting Lt Col (MAA) Rich Gilbey his 50 and 100 appearances Caps at the RAPTC Sports Awards