A match notable for being played on the tiny Knighton Park pitch next to Welford Road, a few dodgy refereeing decisions, a Tom Lane penalty in an 80 minute game, and the 300th appearance of Rys Procinski. First team debut also for Craig Earl who did well. 4-0 down at half time but had plenty of territory and chances. On the subject of the Rys 300, he was interviewed and shared the following Polska memories: BEST GAME PLAYED IN? Obviously, the most memorable game is my debut for Leicester Polska on 22 September 1985, handed to me by Robin Whait. However, it was not that memorable, as I can't remember the opposition, but no doubt my diary will be able to tell me that. I replaced Jan Krupski at full-back, who was unavailable, and I scored from about 30 yards (really, not just diary speak). I duly kept my place for the following game, despite Jan's return. Unfortunately, during that match I had a bit of a hangover because of the previous night's Polish Harvest celebrations, didn't play brilliantly, and Jan duly regained his full-back position for the next match. Another game that holds fond memories is for the Reserves (does this count?) against Gent in the cup in the 1990/1991 season. We were something like two divisions below them, and did not hold out much hope of a victory. Shane Hewitt was refereeing, and when he explained at kick-off that there would be extra time should the match be drawn after 90 minutes, it was acknowledged by both sides that this wouldn't be necessary - which obviously wound me up. Gent had also taunted us at a previous training session in respect of this match. Needless to say, we were victorious, despite starting with 10 men, and I achieved one of my best assists, as I got out of the way of a Keith Edwards shot, which brought us extra time and an eventual victory. The next game is against Western Wanderers in the 1993/1994 season. It was a bare eleven (surprisingly?), of which a number of us were suffering from man flu. We were relegation material, playing against a title chasing team, and our tactics were damage limitation. However, we scored the first goal, much to our disbelief, and we steeled ourselves for a major onslaught from the opposing team, as they were obviously annoyed. However, cheered on by the challengers to the title who had come to watch, we managed to hold out for a victory, as we matched them man-for-man, including one of the Dublin brothers. In more recent times, another match to remember is against Syston RBL on 11 October 1998. Ezra Jeremiah chewed cud, Andy Zarzycki regenerated Doctor Who style into David Lawrence, and that lad from East 17 made a goal scoring debut. Oh, and I scored my best ever, but also last to date, goal. Finally, maybe the most prestigious game that I have played in is the President's Cup Final on 5 May 2002, where I was joint player-manager for the Reserves against the First Team. A brief 20 minute foray on the hallowed turf of Holmes Park saw me collect a yellow card and then a straight red card, as the copious amounts of Red Bull that I had consumed began to kick in (literally). A bit of a melee against my previous team-mates, whom I had played with for a number of years but had now turned against me, ensured that I would be taking no further part in the proceedings, and could not officially collect my runners-up trophy. BEST PLAYER YOU HAVE PLAYED WITH? Although I didn't play with him until he was way past his best, it has to be the legend that is Steve Jarowicki. What made it even better was that he played in the same team with his son, Paul, something that was my ambition (to play in the same team as my son, not Paul Jarowicki). Unfortunately, that now appears unlikely to be fulfilled, as my 'noticeable limp' determines the end of my paying career at such an early age). Also, he left his wife for a younger model, again an ambition of mine that will not be fulfilled due to me being a bit of a numpter. Mark Yeomanson is also up there. A prolific scorer, he used to miss the easiest of chances - complete sitters - but score the most difficult of goals. Also, he turned up just before kick-off at one of our matches as his partner had just given birth, and apologised for being late! FIRST NAME ON THE TEAM SHEET (APART FROM YOUR OWN!) A difficult one, but probably Yeomy (Mark Yeomanson), as his commitment and work rate was second to none FAVOURITE OR FUNNIEST POLSKA MEMORY: Also challenging for one of the best games I have played in, my favourite moment happened with the Reserves against Spinney Hill back in the 1991/1992 season. Surprisingly, I was involved in a bit of a fracas, where all eleven players of the opposing team decided to attack me, including the goalkeeper who had to run the length of the pitch to get at me. However, like a scene from a Charlie Chaplin movie, whilst they were all trying to kick the shit out of me, I slipped away from between their legs, and watched the proceedings from afar as they carried on with their assault. This was a sign of things to come, as not one of my fellow players came to my assistance - my popularity has never been in question! Needless to say, the match was abandoned, replayed, and abandoned again as I was involved in another fracas, Graham Haldane broke his leg, and I led my team off the pitch before the 90 minutes was up. Other funny moments follow that I remember fondly, in no particular order: Roger Stead's turtle impression back in the 80's, thereby spawning the Oddball Of The Season Trophy, Chris Lewis' girlie goalkeeping against Manchester Rockets, George Pasta slamming Roger Stead against the wall at training, John Garden declaring me as his friend, whilst he was defending me against an opposing player who had a personal vendetta against me for roughing up his son at a previous match, Dean Hall searching for the football on top of a mound, Ezra Jeremiah unable to remain upstanding against Syston RBL in the legendary game in 1998, Griff being abandoned on the sidelines after a match with a ripped knee, whilst the rest of the team went for a drink, Our goalie zooming off in his mini, still with his full kit and boots on, straight after the match against Uppingham in the 90's, whilst Tom Crick went in search of him in the changing rooms to kick his head in, Luis Fernandes standing in front of the ball in the opposition's goal area, whilst their opposing goalkeeper was trying to take a goal kick - not from his hands, but from the ground, A dog being preferred to me in the starting line-up, Not starting a match, despite being assured that I would. The reason being given that the manager (yes, you) was unaware that I had turned up, regardless of the fact that the rest of the Polska team had seen me in the changing room, Starting as a substitute in a friendly, despite only having the bare eleven, George Okuniewski shouting 'All Day!' as the ball rolled past him into the net, John Airey's throw-in, And of course Stuart Matthew's strangulation of me at training. TEAM YOU ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD TO PLAYING AGAINST: I've always enjoyed playing against Parkview, the team with the ginger whinger. However, my enjoyment was tarnished somewhat when I was prevented from making my final appearance (again) as a substitute, in front of my wife and children, in the last match of the season, in order to give the two Eames brothers a game. I had also missed Leicester City's last home match to be there. Another team I enjoyed playing against was Smithsteel. I met a couple of their players in a pub once, who both recognised me, and actually complimented me on my durability. Despite having played for a number of years, none of the opposition had actually spoken to me before outside of the match. PLAYER YOU USED TO LOOK FORWARD TO COMING UP AGAINST: None really, they all hate me and I hate all them ALL TIME POLSKA XI - GO ON, PUT YOURSELF IN THERE! I'll do a Polska Dream Team and a Polska Nightmare Team. DREAM TEAM: Much in the same way as the all-time Leeds team always includes most of the legendary players from the late 60's/early 70's, my Polska team includes most players from what to me was one of the best periods in my Polska career, the late 80's/early 90's. Also, it is not necessarily based on the most skilful of players, but those that have made an impact for one reason or another. Goalkeeper: Richard Hewitt - After years of enduring with Moonie (Marek Krasupcki) in goal, it was a blessing to have someone who could both see and catch the ball. Defenders: Ryszard Procinski - It would be rude not too! Graham Haldane - Always up for a fight, he would break his leg for the cause (indeed, he did!). Although a bit of a hard-man on the pitch, he was totally hen-pecked by his partner, who would sometimes come on the legendary Lad's Nights Out. Imagine her delight when he came home with his broken leg. Steve Jarowicki - The legend. Roger Stead - One of the old school. Not necessarily the most gifted of players, but the passion and commitment was there, something sadly lacking in today's players. Midfield: Steve Joniec - A skillful player who set himself a standard of playing that he would aspire to. When he realised he could no longer achieve that level, he had the good sense to retire whilst he was at the top - something maybe others should have done? John Garden - My 'friend' and adopted son. He took my place in the team when I became unavailable for a period of time, and proved to be a worthwhile successor, unfortunately. Steven Whait - His Groucho Marx type runs used to cheer me up of a Sunday morning. Having given him his debut, his blossoming career was tragically cut short due to apathy. A waste. Keith Edwards - Never took anything seriously, he lost us a league title one season by missing a sitter. However, always reliable - on the pitch rather than in the home. Strikers: Mark Yeomanson - Always guaranteed 20 to 30 goals a season. The lure of hot totty in Australia put paid to his Polska career. The only player never to have aged beyond 34. Mark Inglis - A nice chap. I think he eventually warmed to me, and also once cracked a joke. Substitutes: Nigel Ball - Would have made the team, but he kept shouting at me like the school teacher that he was. Adam Cornish - Because he used to live with me. Darren Edwards - Because he got arthritis 30 years before I did. NIGHTMARE TEAM: Following is just a selection of players I would either never play with, or they would never play with me, or just annoy me generally. Goalkeeper: Dean Hall - For trying to get me banned from Polska after the President's Cup Final. Defenders: Chris Lewis - For stating I wasn't good enough for the Premiership. As if I need someone to tell me that! Colt - For getting me sent off in the President's Cup Final. Midfielders: Paul/Tom - The two Irish geezers who went mardy, and didn't come for a drink after one of the Old Boy's Matches. John Airey - I take back the previous comment. He was singularly the one player who most had his head up his arse. Strikers: Butch - For trying to beat me up during the President's Cup Final. As if he could reach! Substitutes: Griff - For being a complete and utter tosser, but a likeable one. Ross Grewcock - For crying on the pitch. Chris Eames - For crying on the pitch (although it was only at training and he was only 12). Therein lie my answers. Yes, they are mostly about me, but as we all know, the whole wide world revolves around me. |