Bridgwater Grasshoppers FC News Page |
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Please note this page will soon be updated with newer news! |
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| Cup Draws Produce Away Tests | | |  The draws for the Hoppers' two biggest cup competitions of the campaign have now been made.
Following our relatively comfortable 6-1 home victory in the first round of the Somerset Cup over Taunton 5th Division side Carhampton Rovers, the Hoppers will now face a far sterner test in the second round as we have been drawn away to Taunton 1st Division outfit AFC Legends, who knocked Railway Club out in the first round having fielded what has been reported to be no less than nine senior players. The game will take place in Taunton on Sunday 15th October 2006.
The draw has also been made for the first round of the Uxella League's own all-divisions cup competition, the Dave Hobbs Cup.
Grasshoppers '05 have been drawn to play away to Woolavington Reserves while Grasshoppers '04 have been given a bye into the next round. The '05 game will take place on 8th October.
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| | Hoppers Bring Home Silverware From Overseas Tour | | |  A twenty-man squad from Bridgwater Grasshoppers FC recently returned triumphant from their pre-season "overseas" tour to Cardiff, Wales.
An action-packed weekend saw them first contest the annual "Undisputed Masters Of The Universe Trophy" final, which the Hoppers duly went on to win again for the third consecutive year!
This was followed by a "sports science research field trip" into Cardiff city centre where the Hoppers methodically and enthusiastically experimented with various means for refuelling an athlete's body with liquids after strenuous exertion in the midday heat. The result of this mass experiment can be seen by clicking on the above photo. | | | |
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| | 2005-06 End of Season Awards Results | | | The annual Bridgwater Grasshoppers FC end of season awards ceremony recently took place amidst the plush surroundings of Bridgwater's Tudor Restaurant.
Voting took place on the night to decide the recipients of the various awards and the results were as follows:
Grasshoppers '04 Player Of The Year, 2005-06:
Steve Hembery
Grasshoppers '04 Young Player Of The Year, 2005-06:
Liam Wardle
Grasshoppers '04 Clubman Of The Year, 2005-06:
George Bull
Grasshoppers '05 Player Of The Year, 2005-06:
Paul Ham
Grasshoppers '05 Young Player Of The Year, 2005-06:
Luke Richards
Grasshoppers '05 Clubman Of The Year, 2005-06:
Andrew Sampson
Other awards:
Grasshoppers '04 Goal Of The Season, 2005-06:
Steve Moule
Grasshoppers '05 Goal Of The Season, 2005-06:
Bob Kippen
The "Kevin Keegan's Helicopter Award" For Most Dramatic Exit From A Game:
John Kervell
The 2005-06 Best International Newcomer Award:
Lukasz Szulc
The 2005-06 "Red Mist" Tourettes Award:
Martyn Allen
The 2005-06 "Still A Bad Boy" Award:
Beaver May
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| | Hoppers just miss out on Jevons | | |  It appears that Bridgwater Grasshoppers were in the running to sign former Everton striker Phil Jevons from Yeovil Town during the close season before Bristol City nipped in at the last moment with a better package.
Intrepid Hoppers' player-boss Dean Waghorn tracked down Jevons to the Waldstadion in Frankfurt (click on photo right) during the recent World Cup 2006 encounter between England and Paraguay.
However, despite learning of the many positives that the up-and-coming Bridgwater Sunday League outfit have to offer, in the end the 26-year-old hotshot chose to make Ashton Gate his home for the 2006-07 campaign. Only time will tell whether he has made the right choice... | | | |
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| | Dave Hobbs Second Round Draw | | | | Following on from the club's recent giant-killing performances on two fronts in the opening round of the prestigious and all-divisions Dave Hobbs Cup, both Hoppers sides will now face severe examinations in the next round.
The draw for the second round was made at the November League Meeting and Grasshoppers '04 at least have the comfort of playing at home to fellow Second Division side, Admirals Landing. Grasshoppers '05, meanwhile, have an even greater task ahead of them as they travel away to play a very useful First Division outfit in Clearwater. | | | |
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| | Woodcock Ban Confirmed | | | It has now been confirmed by the League's Registration Officer that the Hoppers' resident wildman, Nigel "Filthy Animal" Woodcock, will be suspended for two games commencing on Sunday 9th October inclusive.
This decision follows on from his recent succession of bookings in games for both Grasshoppers '04 and '05. It has been suggested in some quarters that given his fondness for cards his nickname should be amended from "Filthy Animal" to "Hallmark". | | | |
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| | Dave Hobbs Cup Draws Announced | | | The draw for the First Round of the all-divisions Dave Hobbs Cup has been made and both Hoppers sides have tough encounters with teams from the First Division.
Grasshoppers '04 will at least enjoy home advantage against North Petherton while Grasshoppers '05 will face a tough test away to Blake Old Boys.
Both games are scheduled to take place on Sunday 16th October 2005. | | | |
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| | Hoppers '04 get three points following league ruling | | | | As you may have read on the official Uxella League site, following a recent meeting of the League's executive committee Grasshoppers '04 have been awarded three points from their recent 1-0 away defeat to Woolavington Reserves after it emerged that Woolavington's outstanding goalkeeper on the day, Craig Berry, was unregistered at the time. | | | |
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| | Newcastle Pre-Season Tour Photo 1 | | |  Victorious and ever-so-slightly thirsty, the Hoppers bask in the Saturday afternoon Tyneside sunshine after a hard-fought 6-4 win over local side, Heaton Harriers.
(Click on the photo to zoom in) | | | |
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| | Newcastle Pre-Season Tour Photo 2 | | |  The hungover Hoppers enjoy the strangely beer-and-curry smelling atmosphere of the tunnel at St. James' Park, Newcastle on the morning after the night before.
(Click on the photo to zoom in) | | | |
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| | Newcastle Pre-Season Tour Photo 3 | | |  Nigel "Filthy Animal" Woodcock gets all territorial and marks the St. James' Park pitch with his unique scent.
(Click on the photo to zoom in) | | | |
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| | Newcastle Pre-Season Tour Photo 4 | | |  | | | |
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| | Update on Newcastle Tour | | |  The Hoppers will hit the road over the weekend of Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st August 2005, for a whistle-stop, pre-season tour of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
We will be playing two games over the weekend - one on the Saturday afternoon and the other on the Sunday morning following a Saturday night out on the "Toon" in Newcastle city centre, a venue which regularly features highly in listings of the world's great party towns.
The opponents for both fixtures will be Northumbria Police teams and the venue in both cases will be the Gateshead International Stadium complex. Please note that we will be playing on the stadium's astroturf pitch rather than a grass pitch so trainers or astroboots will be required.
We will be departing from Bridgwater at 6:00am on the morning of Saturday 20th August in an "executive" 17-seater mini-bus, aiming to arrive in Newcastle by early lunchtime so that we can freshen up ahead of our first game that afternoon.
Accommodation in Newcastle has now been confirmed as the Castle Leazes Hall of Residence, part of Newcastle University's city centre campus. We have managed to secure individual rooms for each player for only ?28.75 for the Saturday night, inclusive of breakfast the following morning. Castle Leazes is a ten-minute walk from the main bars and clubs on Newcastle's famous Quayside.
Please click on the link below for further details on Castle Leazes.
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| | Pre-Season Programme Now Confirmed | | | The following fixtures have now been confirmed as part of the Bridgwater Grasshoppers' pre-season schedule:
Sunday 7th August:
Grasshoppers XI v Glastonbury (Away - K.O. 11:00am)
Sunday 14th August:
Grasshoppers '04 v Red Tile (Away)
Grasshoppers '05 v Tor Sports (Away)
Saturday 20th August:
Grasshoppers XI v Northumbria Police XI (Gateshead International Stadium Astropitch)
Sunday 21st August:
Grasshoppers XI v Northumbria Police XI (Gateshead International Stadium Astropitch)
Sunday 28th August:
Grasshoppers '04 v Flag Old Boys (Home)
Grasshoppers '05 v Commercial (Away) | | | |
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| | Home Sweet Home | | |  It has now been confirmed that Artillery West Huntspill Boys have folded and, as a result, the Hoppers have been able to secure exclusive Sunday morning use of the football pitch at Morganians RFC, Chedzoy Lane.
This is a significant development for the forthcoming new campaign as it should help to retain our club's legendary spirit as both the Grasshoppers '04 and Grasshoppers '05 sides will be operating out of the same venue on alternate weeks. The Morganians bar will therefore become an important post-match stop-off where both our home team and travelling side can meet up, compare notes and dish out the customary banter and camp camaraderie. | | | |
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| | End-of-Season Awards Results | | |  The prestigious Grasshoppers FC End-Of-Season Awards Ceremony took place on Friday evening (3rd June 2005) at the Admirals Landing against a backdrop of camera flashbulbs and much popping of champagne corks.
Three main awards were up for grabs on the night and voting took place at the ceremony itself as members of the club chose the recipients of the magnificent trophies.
After much deliberation it emerged that young starlet Adam Kinsey (pictured right) sealed the two main player-of-the-year awards, following a superb campaign and 28-goal haul, while veteran celtic barfly Danny O'Loughlin came away with both the Clubman Of The Year Award and also a special award in recognition of "his courageous and single-minded refusal to accept that his football career was over despite overwhelming evidence that it should be".
Club captain Paul Ham was also duly recognised as he emerged as runaway winner of The Only Gay In The Village Award which he received in recognition of "his contribution to the promotion of homosexual issues in a social situation".
Meanwhile, veteran keeper Geoff Powell gladly accepted the coveted Oliver Reed Memorial Drinkers Award on behalf of his liver.
Main Awards:
Player Of The Year, 2004-05: Adam Kinsey
Young Player Of The Year, 2004-05: Adam Kinsey
Clubman Of The Year, 2004-05: Danny O'Loughlin
Special Additional Awards:
The Oliver Reed Memorial Drinkers Award: Geoff Powell
The Frank Sinatra Memorial Comeback Award: Danny O'Loughlin
The "Only Gay In The Village" Award: Paul Ham | | | |
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| | Change of Date for End of Season Awards Dinner | | |  As a result of problems in arranging an available venue for the originally planned date of Friday 27th May it has now been confirmed that the Grasshoppers' 2004-05 End-of-Season Awards Dinner will take place on the evening of Friday 3rd June 2005 at The Admirals Landing. The "Mezzanine Level" of the function room has been exclusively reserved from 7:30pm onwards and the plan is to enjoy a hearty, stomach-lining meal before the various awards are presented. The squad will then proceed to hit the town's pubs and clubs for a well-earned knees-up. The Admirals Landing have stipulated that we will need to confirm our final numbers by the end of May and, at that point, we will also need to provide a deposit of ?5.00 per person. The Grasshoppers "management" will be looking to collect this money from all interested players/members in the coming weeks. In the meantime please study the Admirals' standard and special menus which can be downloaded by clicking on the following link. You will need to confirm to "the management" your choice of meal before the end of May. | | Click here... | | |
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| | Hoppers in Watford Saturday clash | | | | This coming Saturday 7th May 2005 sees the world famous Bridgwater Grasshoppers FC travelling to Dunster, near Minehead, for an end-of-season friendly against a Watford Tourists eleven. For those players based in Bridgwater, we are meeting up at 8:50am at Sainsburys so that we leave plenty of time to make the trip to Dunster. The game is scheduled to kick off at 10:30am at Dunster's picturesque ground in the shadow of the famous castle. The ground is apparently very close to the Foresters Arms pub, which is in West Street (A396). For a map of the area please click on the link below. | | Click here for directions... | | |
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| | Titanic Easter Showdown | | | | This coming Easter Sunday sees the first ever final of the "Undisputed Masters of The Universe Cup", a magnificent trophy that will be contested by Grasshoppers Whites and Grasshoppers Blues on the hallowed turf of Morganians RFC at the world famous Chedzoy Lane. This is one of the showpiece events of the British footballing calendar and a large crowd is anticipated, with AA Roadwatch advising Bank Holiday travellers to avoid the inevitable congestion on all routes leading to the ground. Kick off is 11:00am to soften the blow of the introduction of British Summer Time the previous night and the losing of an hours sleep. Whatever the result of the final, there is sure to be an in-depth post-match debate as the players move on to an all-day pub crawl. This is one event not to be missed over the Bank Holiday weekend. | | | |
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| | Video of Kervell Cup Goal Now Available To View | | | | If you want to see John Kervell's recent powerhouse headed goal, from a pinpoint Adam Kinsey corner, during our recent Geoff Harvey Cup clash with Pig & Whistle Reserves, please click on the link below to launch video playback of the goal, courtesy of the "Powell TV" cameras. The eagle-eyed amongst you may also notice a heavily disguised character in a sheep-skin coat and beanie hat patrolling the touchline in a menacing fashion. Could this possibly be America's second most-wanted fugitive, the notorious Osama Bin Liner? | | Take me there... | | |
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| | Hoppers' Gaffer In Mourinho-style Premature Declaration | | | | In a shock development, Bridgwater Grasshoppers' dynamic young player-boss Dean Waghorn announced to a packed press conference, at the Hoppers' state-of-the-art training complex at Chilton Trinity Sports Centre, that he is happy to confirm his starting line-up for this Sunday's huge Geoff Harvey Cup Quarter-Final clash against Pig & Whistle Reserves a full 48 hours ahead of kick-off. The 36-year-old former England (Pie-eating) International, who has never lost eight competitive games in a row during his brief managerial career, declared: "Yes, it's true that I am happy to reveal the eleven players who will start the game on Sunday. Are you all ready? Right - 'Nickers' Northey, 'Wembley' Woodcock, 'Brucie' Ham, 'Old Man' Court, 'Young Man' Court, Stevie M, Johnny K, 'Hound-Hungry' Hembery, 'Golden-bollox' Kinsey, 'Fiery Rob' Whiterod and Jimmer 'Gut-Rot' Nichols." | | | |
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| | Confirmation of Cup Venue | | | | It has now been confirmed that the venue for the Hoppers' Geoff Harvey Cup Quarter-Final clash against Pig & Whistle Reserves this coming Sunday 6th March 2005 will be Bridgwater's Victoria Park. | | | |
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| | The Road Ahead Becomes Clearer | | | | Following the two ties that were played yesterday (27th February) as part of the Geoff Harvey Cup First Round, we now know that, if we can progress past Pig & Whistle Reserves this coming Sunday in our quarter-final clash, we will meet either Sportsman or Countryman in the semi-finals. On paper the most likely opponents from this encounter would be Sportsman who have enjoyed an excellent campaign and who are likely to finish second in the table if they continue to gather further points from their games in hand over Puriton. Of course, Countryman are not to be dismissed lightly and, should we meet them, they will be gunning for revenge for the 7-0 thrashing we gave them recently. However, my money is on Sportsman and this means that we will therefore need to beat two very young teams to get to the all-important final. Here's hoping that our perfect blend of youth and experience can prevail and that we can cap our first season back with some silverware. | | | |
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| | Hoppers Would Avoid Top Two in Cup Draw | | | | Following the advanced draw for the semi-finals stage of the Geoff Harvey Cup the Hoppers now know that, should they successfully navigate their tricky quarter-final tie against Pig & Whistle Reserves on 6th March, they cannot meet either Artillery WHB or Puriton United in the semi-finals. Instead, the opponents would be either Sportsman, Middlezoy, Glastonbury or Countryman. The semi-finals are scheduled to be played on Sunday 20th March 2005 and the final itself is planned for Sunday 10th April. | | | |
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