The Old Bordenian Association

The Summer monsoon kindly stopped just before the kick-off and another in a series of  ‘last’ reunion matches of the OBA Veteran footballers took place on the ‘lower’ field at the School on Sunday 07 September 2008. The sun actually put in an appearance at half-time. It was indeed a real pleasure to play again on the lower field – the scene of so many memorable OBA matches in the 1970′ and 1980′s. Fortunately, the width of the pitch has been reduced to accommodate the new school buildings but the slope remains a formidable challenge especially to older limbs and lungs.

The objective, if we ever needed one, was to get 2 teams totalling over 1,000 years of age on the pitch, and we succeeded despite several veterans declaring they were only just over 21 years of age. The average age of all players was 56,4 years!

We were very pleased to welcome Tony Clayton (former PE Master to many players) as a witness and the teams’ performance was obvious testimony to his sporting advice so many years ago.
 

The teams were selected randomly and the match itself was played at a fair pace, and flashes of skill and technique were apparent from all players. It was a pity that they were not all joined together but that could be said of some players also. The half-time score was 2-2 and with the unlikely prospect of extra time being necessary, the Maroon team went on to win 7-4. Matt Norris scored a hat-trick for the Maroons and Mark Spree did the same for the Yellows.
 

After the match, the players regrouped in the UK Paper main bar opposite the School to take on fluids – something in which they have had considerable experience over the years. Inevitably, the subject of having another ‘last’ match was discussed and agreed, so please watch this space. Indeed, if you used to play for the OBA, or perhaps cannot even remember if you did or not, please contact Keith Shea by email on keith.shea@crmanagement.co.uk  or Alan Snelling on ufton@LineOne.net. Then, subject to a fitness test, and providing at least 2 players recognise you, then you’re in!

 

For the record, here is a list of players: Keith Shea, Cliff Cork, Rob Kemsley, Jamie Henley, Peter Thompson, Andy Bushell, Mark Spree, Mick Pack, Alan Snelling, Paul Bedelle, Alan Irvine, Kevin Cope, Neil Redmond, Peter Lusted, Soz Ferrar, Alan Abery, Matt Norris, John Kingsnorth, Peter Taylor, Peter Webb, and Phil Griffiths.
‘Spectator’ Old Boys: Colin Hills, Stuart Gay, and Paul Fletcher.
 
(It is worth noting that 17 of the 24 attending are Old Bordenians.)