Soccerfest for Luvvies, Luvviefest for Soccies!!!
Posted at 4:12 pm on 31/1/97

It was the third of September, (24th June actually), when the noble and worldly game of soccer was to cross all boundaries of race, religion, colour, creed, lineage and taste, as the 'Madhatters All Star XI' took on the current Drama Society. The latter side fielding many for whom it would be their last game in those colours before becoming fully fledged Madhatters themselves.

And so it was that a group of obvious gimps assembled at the University of Hertfordshire Astroturf pitch and were swiftly transformed by the production of a kit, the spirit of jingoism generated by Euro '96 and the tactical and leadership qualities of a captain whose knowledge and experience at the very top echelons of the game were made up, into a team of world beaters, well without wanting to give too much away, Drama Society beaters.

The atmosphere was electric as the travelling army of MH supporters brought fervour and passion to the touchlines. They were of course told to stop and concentrate on the game. The noise from the capacity crowd became a deafening cacophony as kick off approached. The toss (not a chance of an innuendo here alright!) went the way of one of the teams and they were off. Fortunately they were then persuaded to stay and play some SOCCER!

The christmas tree formation adopted by the MH XI soon proved to be paying off as the lad Benson made rampaging run after run down the right wing, feeding the lone centre forward Slinger with a succession of crosses. With Patrick playing in the hole (still no innuendos) and loving it, the MH XI romped forward to the sound of a near delirious crowd.

The adrenaline was pumping as Sully settled into his man-marking role on Ellerker, who was obviously stifled by the big lad, his frustration manifesting itself in a number of challenges that wouldn't have gone unnoticed by the referee (had there been one).

With the boy Simon 'the cat' Burges rarely troubled in the MH XI goal it was only a matter of time before it was half time and several people had scored to rapturous applause from the crowd.

The half time oranges were sweet for the MH XI as they relaxed on a cushion.

The end of the game came inevitably after another 45 minutes, Nic McMahon, minus comedy voice, was correct in summing it up as a "game of two halves",

The final score was a fantastic 8-4 to the MH XI, the goals coming from Patrick (3), Roughton (3), Slinger and Gale. A fine team performance, and debut from the boy Bennett, getting a run out for the last five minutes, complete with sunglasses.

Of course this report could not pass without the inevitable rhyme of Hatrick and Patrick, or the mentioning of the injury which Evans, the Drama Captain picked up in a collision with Burges, causing him to fall twice when leaving the pitch, and a certain amount of laughter and derisory comments at the post-match press conference. Andy Roughton acclaimed football as the winner, this was of course bollocks, MH XI won.

Anyway, it was a fine afternoon, and a fine result for a newly formed team. Cheers to Chris for the organisation of the game, everyone who came and supported, and the rest of the MH XI for a fine performance. It only leaves space to say if anyone has any comments or opinions on the game, wonders why they weren't involved, wants to organise another etc, feel free to drop us a line at the new address.

MadHatters All Star XI: (l to r) Dave Patrick, Phil Miller, Simon Bennett, Brian Benson, Andy Roughton (c), Simon Burges, Richard Sully, Richard Gale, Ashley Pearson, Rob Slinger, Nic McMahon, Nathan Dawe

Drama Society: Chris Evans (c), Ken Rodrigues, Matt Tarrant, Dave Marriott, Stuart Ellerker, Sam Stopplecamp, John Wyatt, Tom Pitt-Chambers, Matt Moisey, Bill Croome, Mike Crane.