Thursday, 17 April 2008

HISTORY OF NCP MANCHESTER FC


' SPARTAK-KARPARK FOOTBALL CLUB'



The first ever game that Spartak-Karpark (later re-named NCP Manchester for sponsorship rights purposes)played, indeed the first time they were even on a pitch together, as no training, trials or practice took place; was against the Hazel Grove Leisure-leagues defending champions 'Barcelona' who only needed a point to reclaim their title, which they did with ease, winning 6-2. Player/Manager Phil Davis was awarded man of the match, it was a learning curve but the team quickly gained interest and new players came and went. Acting Player/Manager Phil Davis was eager to get a coach involved to take over the running of the team, Andrew Page suggested that Control Room Operator Gary Kerrigan was the right man for the job: "He's bossy, confident, loud and used to be a semi-professional in the Salford pub-league's." said Page, "He sounds perfect, let's get him on board." But it was to be months before Kerrigan signed as a series of crippling injuries and pathetic excuses hindered proceedings.



Davis was the subject of ridicule as he gave anyone he knew a chance in the team: John 'The Millenium' Forkan (High st), Andy Walsh (RRU), Steve Boyle (Printworks), Jay Standrig (Printworks/SKIDATA) Steve Lazyboy, Mark Critchley (Team-Leader), Lee Copplestone, Neil Pugh (GMP), Colin Wright and his nephew Tim (Control Room Team Leader), Andy Skinner, Dave Chapman, Tim Kelly (SKIDATA), Iain Morley, Jason Jones (Cashroom), Iwan Williams (Phase Two), Lee Francis (Arena), Craig Gardner (GMex), Andy Davidson, Paul Hughes, Tom Purser, Mark Parfitt (Davis' legal attorney),Diego, Little Chris, Slim and on went the list.


'NCP MANCHESTER FOOTBALL CLUB'

In april 2007 having 'won' the wooden spoon for finishing bottom Davis handed the reigns of Manager over to Kerrigan, following Davis' second win in charge against rivals Jolly Sailors FC: "I'm stepping down to concentrate on my game, we won tonight so I feel as though I'm leaving on a high (despite being bottom) I'm a goalkeeper not a manager."

'THE BARRY HIBBS MEMORIAL TROPHY' LONDON, AUGUST 2007
Kerrigan's first season in charge saw a dramatic change in fortunes for "The Bee's" with their, now infamous, strip of yellow and black stripes to reflect their carparking-authority-themed business nature (Thanks to Colin Wright and Paddy Dyson) and the arrival of superstar striker Dean Pohill. NCP Manchester went unbeaten for nine games without conceding a single goal as they finished a respectable seventh place and booked their place in Barnet, North London for the Barry Hibbs Memorial NCP Sevices Challenge Cup Trophy on a baking-hot afternoon in the nations capital. It was a great occasion, sadly NCP Manchester were eliminated by NCP Fulham in the knockout stages in a dramatic penalty shootout following a 2-2 draw. Critchley missed his spot-kick after a great save by Davis had given NCP Manchester the advantage, then player/Manager Gary Kerrigan saw his effort agonisingly blocked by the Fulham 'keeper to send the northerners crashing out! squad; 1:Davis 2:Kerrigan 3:Simpson 4:Niyongabo 5:Polhill 13:Wright 15:Noble
Despite being bitterly disapointed, Kerrigan professed himself happy with the performance in London and believed that the squad had benefitted and galvanised whilst away, becoming a better unit in the process. This was reflected with the team's best ever display in their domestic league as they finished third in the premier division, at one stage they looked like winning the league until a heart-breaking 0-0 draw against rivals Jolly Sailor's ended their title hopes!

'THE WILLOW CUP' IN AMSTERDAM, MARCH 2008
Thanks to player/business co-ordinator Mark Parfitt, NCP Manchester made their european football debut in the Netherlands at the close of the season, as they competed for their first silverware in the shape of cancer charity trophy, the Willow Cup, founded by Bob Wilson.
Unfortunately NCP were beaten 4-1 by Interserve from County Durham and lost again by the same scoreline to Search Technology of Bracknell which included conceding a goal from the opposing goalkeeper, one Phil Davis will not relish chatting about considering that he also picked up his first yellow card of his life in that game! However the team picked themselves up for their final match in group D with a much stronger performance despite losing 0-1 to champions Airbus UK of Bristol. squad:1:Davis 22:Parfitt 3:Simpson 4:Niyongabo 5:Polhill

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