History
A history of BOG - (2001 - 2003(ish))
Blaze Of Glory F.C. were founded in true Football Club style at the 'Running Horse Pub' in the Christmas of 2001. There were 20 odd people there that famous night including current manager Phil Daniels, and players Simon Coles, Neil Coles, Tom Canning and Nick Kinch. At the time it seemed like pub banter 'Dave Gorman style', but the boys were determined to make their dream a reality.
By February 2002 Blaze Of Glory F.C. were formed, taking their name from the famous Bon Jovi tune. It was decided they would adopt 'British Racing Green' as the team colours and personalised shirts were bought for each player to wear with pride. The squad was confident they could provide some stiff competition for the established sides. They had what looked like a strong squad in
Tom Agar, Tom Canning, Neil Coles, Simon Coles, Phil Daniels (Player/Manager), Graeme Douglass, Michael Keen, Nicholas Kinch, Matt Smedley, Mike Stevens.
Along with the founder members of the squad, Graeme Douglass and Tom Agar were also present on the night of 'Glorys founding. Mike Stevens and Matt Smedley were brought in to bolster the height and forward threat and Michael Keen was scouted out and became 'Glorys midfield dynamo.
They entered the Bracknell Sport Centre 6 a-side league and kicked off their first match in March 2002. The game finished with a credible 3-0 loss at the hands of the Bracknell Sport but the boys had performed well. Their second game finished with a 5-0 drubbing to eventual champions AC Windsor.
Then came 'Glorys first goal, a delightful through ball from a free kick put Matt Smedley through on goal and allow him to toe poke it past the La Paz 'keeper to earn them a superb first point in a 1-1 draw.
Injuries followed as Tom Agar broke his arm and has never again played for the 'Glory after only two appearences. Mike Stevens went AWOL at the beginning of the season and has not been seen since.
'Glorys losing streak continued as they faltered at lowly sides such as AXA D and Grampus 8 who taught them a lesson or two with a 6-0 win.
Their was some glory to be had in the cup as Simon Coles scored 'Glorys second goal against Team 8 in the cup with a Geoff Hurst 'did it, didnt it' effort. 'Glory improved and new 'keeper Lewis Harris looked to be the missing cog in the machine but 'Glory still struggled to hit the back of the net.
They gained two more impressive 0-0 draws and a win courtesy of the opposition failing to show. Glory limped into the final few games using no fewer than 15 players as injuries and holidays took their toll, at the end of the season Glory finished third from bottom Winning 1, Drawing 3, Losing 13 and scoring just once in the league.
With the season over the inevitble loss of players began, Lewis Harris - Guildford, Graeme Douglass - Hull, Mike Stevens - Free, Tom Agar - Free.
However the core of the squad that had done relatively well i their first season remained. For their second season 'Glory found themselves a sponsor in the 'KOH - I - NOOR' Indian Restaurant and with the money purchased a new strip.
They also brought in three new faces, Greg Kinsey - a defender, Matt 'The Bandit' Bright - Striker, and Goalkeeper Simon Llelliott.
The season began in typical 'Glory fashion, humiliated 5-0 by the Sport Centre in a pre-season friendly they went on to lose 2-0 to Honkey Donkeys and by the same score to AC Windsor. Both sides had run 'Glory ragged the previous season so 2-0 did not seem so bad, but worse was to come as a mediocre FC Lions side hammered 'Glory 5-1, the bright point being 'Glorys first goal in some months by Matt Smedley.
Then the turning point, a 7-0 roasting by Phoenix Top Cut left the 'Glory Boys despondent and the Gaffer on the edge. Greg Kinsey left and the side looked like falling apart. With the Gimps, Surrey All Stars and the Sports Centre in successive matches there was no light at the end of the tunnel.
That was until Tom Canning popped up to score his first goal in 7years and give 'Glory a 1-0 lead against the Gimps. The boys couldn't hold out though and the game finished 1-1 but quite simply, a new era had begun. It was as if a new team had been born, they passed well, moved well and whats more had already doubled the previous seasons scoring total.
Influential midfielder Michael Keen had taken over in goal and was simply superb, the Gaffers new system was working, playing three across the middle with one defender and a defensive midfielder ahead of him. What followed was a string of excellent performances, and although they lost 2-0 and 1-0 to Surrey All Stars and the Sport Centre respectively, the new found confidence was their to be marvelled at.
The only blip came when 'Glory were beaten 3-0 by FC La Paz. But this set them up nicely for their next game against AXA D. Quite simply 'Glory outclassed them, oozed confidence and finished 1-0 victors with Matt Smedley getting the all important winner for 'Glorys first 'proper' league win. This game also marked the departure of Matt Bright, he will be playing for a new side next season.
New signing Norm from Hungary made his first team debut in the friendly against Jeff United, and what an impact, scoring twice in the 5-1 win, Si Coles and Matt Smedley(2) got the others.
Norm started on the bench again and Si Coles made his debut in goal as an understrength side went down 1-0 to FC Allsorts in a game that neither side deserved to win or lose. Grampus 8 were dispatched 2-0, sweet revenge for the previous season and it was that man Norm again who strolled past the defence twice to score.
Starfish Troopers were next and walked away with an undeserved 1-0 win, they were followed by Three Lions who went in at half time 2-0 up. Only for Norm to pull out of the bag a 30 yarder and give 'Glory a fighting chance.
The Gym Heads, second from bottom can feel aggrieved at not getting a point. In an even game it was Matt Smedley who scored almost a carbon copy of Norms goal the week before to give 'Glory their third win and 9 points, leaving them only 5points behind the Bracknell Sport Centre.
R Ale Madrid were dispatched 3-2 in a tense and exciting game, Smedley(2) and Norm got the goals that proved enough. Then rather suprisingly 'Glory beat the high flying Funky Gibbons 2-1 to finish the season with 3 straight wins and to leave them in 12th place. Norm and Smedley once again supplying the goals.
The final game of the season proved to be tough, Starfish Troopers provided the opposition in the first round cup game and 'Glory had every reason to believe they could win it after the seasons previous encounter. At full time the score was 0-0 and the game moved into penalties. With Canning and Llelliott already substituted it was left to the remaining boys to put 'Glory into the Quarter Finals. Norm hit the post, Neils was saved, Kinchy put his away and Si Coles skyed his to give the Troopers a 4-1 win.
A terrific season was capped by a fine final performance. All of the squad has signed on for the new season and hopefully 'Glory will continue to grow.
Blaze Of Glory F.C. were founded in true Football Club style at the 'Running Horse Pub' in the Christmas of 2001. There were 20 odd people there that famous night including current manager Phil Daniels, and players Simon Coles, Neil Coles, Tom Canning and Nick Kinch. At the time it seemed like pub banter 'Dave Gorman style', but the boys were determined to make their dream a reality.
By February 2002 Blaze Of Glory F.C. were formed, taking their name from the famous Bon Jovi tune. It was decided they would adopt 'British Racing Green' as the team colours and personalised shirts were bought for each player to wear with pride. The squad was confident they could provide some stiff competition for the established sides. They had what looked like a strong squad in
Tom Agar, Tom Canning, Neil Coles, Simon Coles, Phil Daniels (Player/Manager), Graeme Douglass, Michael Keen, Nicholas Kinch, Matt Smedley, Mike Stevens.
Along with the founder members of the squad, Graeme Douglass and Tom Agar were also present on the night of 'Glorys founding. Mike Stevens and Matt Smedley were brought in to bolster the height and forward threat and Michael Keen was scouted out and became 'Glorys midfield dynamo.
They entered the Bracknell Sport Centre 6 a-side league and kicked off their first match in March 2002. The game finished with a credible 3-0 loss at the hands of the Bracknell Sport but the boys had performed well. Their second game finished with a 5-0 drubbing to eventual champions AC Windsor.
Then came 'Glorys first goal, a delightful through ball from a free kick put Matt Smedley through on goal and allow him to toe poke it past the La Paz 'keeper to earn them a superb first point in a 1-1 draw.
Injuries followed as Tom Agar broke his arm and has never again played for the 'Glory after only two appearences. Mike Stevens went AWOL at the beginning of the season and has not been seen since.
'Glorys losing streak continued as they faltered at lowly sides such as AXA D and Grampus 8 who taught them a lesson or two with a 6-0 win.
Their was some glory to be had in the cup as Simon Coles scored 'Glorys second goal against Team 8 in the cup with a Geoff Hurst 'did it, didnt it' effort. 'Glory improved and new 'keeper Lewis Harris looked to be the missing cog in the machine but 'Glory still struggled to hit the back of the net.
They gained two more impressive 0-0 draws and a win courtesy of the opposition failing to show. Glory limped into the final few games using no fewer than 15 players as injuries and holidays took their toll, at the end of the season Glory finished third from bottom Winning 1, Drawing 3, Losing 13 and scoring just once in the league.
With the season over the inevitble loss of players began, Lewis Harris - Guildford, Graeme Douglass - Hull, Mike Stevens - Free, Tom Agar - Free.
However the core of the squad that had done relatively well i their first season remained. For their second season 'Glory found themselves a sponsor in the 'KOH - I - NOOR' Indian Restaurant and with the money purchased a new strip.
They also brought in three new faces, Greg Kinsey - a defender, Matt 'The Bandit' Bright - Striker, and Goalkeeper Simon Llelliott.
The season began in typical 'Glory fashion, humiliated 5-0 by the Sport Centre in a pre-season friendly they went on to lose 2-0 to Honkey Donkeys and by the same score to AC Windsor. Both sides had run 'Glory ragged the previous season so 2-0 did not seem so bad, but worse was to come as a mediocre FC Lions side hammered 'Glory 5-1, the bright point being 'Glorys first goal in some months by Matt Smedley.
Then the turning point, a 7-0 roasting by Phoenix Top Cut left the 'Glory Boys despondent and the Gaffer on the edge. Greg Kinsey left and the side looked like falling apart. With the Gimps, Surrey All Stars and the Sports Centre in successive matches there was no light at the end of the tunnel.
That was until Tom Canning popped up to score his first goal in 7years and give 'Glory a 1-0 lead against the Gimps. The boys couldn't hold out though and the game finished 1-1 but quite simply, a new era had begun. It was as if a new team had been born, they passed well, moved well and whats more had already doubled the previous seasons scoring total.
Influential midfielder Michael Keen had taken over in goal and was simply superb, the Gaffers new system was working, playing three across the middle with one defender and a defensive midfielder ahead of him. What followed was a string of excellent performances, and although they lost 2-0 and 1-0 to Surrey All Stars and the Sport Centre respectively, the new found confidence was their to be marvelled at.
The only blip came when 'Glory were beaten 3-0 by FC La Paz. But this set them up nicely for their next game against AXA D. Quite simply 'Glory outclassed them, oozed confidence and finished 1-0 victors with Matt Smedley getting the all important winner for 'Glorys first 'proper' league win. This game also marked the departure of Matt Bright, he will be playing for a new side next season.
New signing Norm from Hungary made his first team debut in the friendly against Jeff United, and what an impact, scoring twice in the 5-1 win, Si Coles and Matt Smedley(2) got the others.
Norm started on the bench again and Si Coles made his debut in goal as an understrength side went down 1-0 to FC Allsorts in a game that neither side deserved to win or lose. Grampus 8 were dispatched 2-0, sweet revenge for the previous season and it was that man Norm again who strolled past the defence twice to score.
Starfish Troopers were next and walked away with an undeserved 1-0 win, they were followed by Three Lions who went in at half time 2-0 up. Only for Norm to pull out of the bag a 30 yarder and give 'Glory a fighting chance.
The Gym Heads, second from bottom can feel aggrieved at not getting a point. In an even game it was Matt Smedley who scored almost a carbon copy of Norms goal the week before to give 'Glory their third win and 9 points, leaving them only 5points behind the Bracknell Sport Centre.
R Ale Madrid were dispatched 3-2 in a tense and exciting game, Smedley(2) and Norm got the goals that proved enough. Then rather suprisingly 'Glory beat the high flying Funky Gibbons 2-1 to finish the season with 3 straight wins and to leave them in 12th place. Norm and Smedley once again supplying the goals.
The final game of the season proved to be tough, Starfish Troopers provided the opposition in the first round cup game and 'Glory had every reason to believe they could win it after the seasons previous encounter. At full time the score was 0-0 and the game moved into penalties. With Canning and Llelliott already substituted it was left to the remaining boys to put 'Glory into the Quarter Finals. Norm hit the post, Neils was saved, Kinchy put his away and Si Coles skyed his to give the Troopers a 4-1 win.
A terrific season was capped by a fine final performance. All of the squad has signed on for the new season and hopefully 'Glory will continue to grow.
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