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Varc's Ex Files
Season 1, File 5

We made headlines for the wrong reasons this season with our catastrophic failure at the hands of Vauxhall Motors. However it is easy for us to close our eyes and sing "LA-LA-LA I cant hear you" with our fingers in our ears, at the merest mention of the FA Cup.
 

But that would mean we have forgotten one of the teams of the cup and allow us to miss out on a bit of credit for their current success. If you remember the name Team Bath, you will probably have observed that they were the first student team to have taken part in the cup for over a century (thank god we didn't get drawn against them eh?!). But who was behind their success? Well one of their coaches and main man behind the set-up is Ivor Powell, who played 159 times for the R's between 1939 and 1949. But its not just off the pitch we are having a say.  Main man on the pitch is Andy Tilson. With us between 1990 and 1993, he is probably best remember for scoring the goal that more or less condemned Sunderland to relegation at Roker Park in 91. Right now, Team Bath stand astride the Screwfix Direct Western league Premier Division by 4 points.

Now while I'm on the subject of being top of the league, I feel I need to remind you of Christer Warren. No, no... come back! I promise only briefly! I told you earlier this year that he was at Eastleigh Town in the Jewson Wessex league. Well they are on the verge of winning that. They are clear by 11 points and the Doctor Martens league beckons.

As we know, the Dr Martens league has its fair share of ex R's, and two were on the scoresheet again this week. The evergreen Dennis Bailey, scored again for Stafford Rangers (though they drew 1-1 with Hastings) and Hamid Barr hit the headlines at Tonbridge Angels. Described in the press as "spectacular" and a "screamer", Barr scored from 20 yards out to give his side victory. You and I are probably both thinking "if only"!

Headline of the week has to be involving an as yet overlooked ex player. Michael Currie has joined Justin Cochrane at Hayes Town in the Ryman Premier and was doing the business for them at the weekend. He scored, to headlines such as "Currie on fire" (yawn!), to give his side victory over Aldershot and move them up to 4th. Yes indeed, as I have mentioned before, that means Nikki Bull was the unfortunate man not keeping the clean sheet at the other end. It's hotting up at the top and Aldershot are still in position 1 with Canvey Island (Bertie Brayley's side) hot on their heels. So it's an ex-hoop feast in the Ryman at the moment, and hopefully some success coming someone's way soon.

Best find of the week, goes to Paul O' Sullivan. Incredibly Dave McEwen (you remember, that quality centre forward signed from Spurs? No not the lanky one the... oh forget it...), he has apparently turned up at Hertford Town, who with 17 points, sit 8 points adrift at the bottom of the Ryman Division One North. He must have been impressed with the turn out of 74 people at Barking on Saturday, while he failed to get on the scoresheet (my apologies to him, if he didn't make the starting line-up).

So from one who drifted away, to one who has done a little better and returned to league football. This week Barnet sold "talented winger" Wayne Purser for £18,000 (and another player) to Leyton Orient. Apparently he was a decent attacking midfielder with our youth side, but couldn't establish himself. Sadly, like so may others of the late 90's, he was released, after being unable to break through.

Finally to finish on a player we were linked with earlier this season. He played for our reserves as a trialist and received fairly good reports, but nothing happened. Instead, Brett Poate signed for Havant and Waterlooville from Southampton. A 19 year old left back, he couldn't dislodge Wayne Bridge at St Mary's and was sent packing. He lines up against Tamworth next Saturday in the FA Trophy Semi-final. This week he is on trial at West Brom. No doubt he will be a star.

Thanks to all those who have been in touch, I am still following up a couple of leads.

varc@qprnet.com