Rebel Yell! (FM2013, Lower Level)

[MacroGuru]

What else was there to do for Daniel? He hung up his cleats after dedicated his life to the sport of soccer. Never making time for friends or family. He had no choice but to try and get back to his roots, and he was able to do that as he was given a call by the club from near his hometown. In fact, it was the club where he got his start, noticed by a team in the higher league and brought up.

He never made a lot, but enough to pay the bills and keep his head above water after he retired, but he was truly lost. It was a chance he wanted to take, trying and build a team from the Isthmian League 1st Division South and take them as far as he can.

The headlines in the paper that morning around Worthing were titled. "Local Soccer Pro Daniel Cooper takes the reigns at Worthing FC."

Worthing FC

Worthing Association FC was founded in February 1886 and played home matches mostly in the People’s (now Homefield) Park until the Club moved to Beach House Park in 1889.

The early years were spent playing friendlies and competing in the Sussex Senior Cup, in which our first tie on November 27th 1886 resulted in a 1-0 home win over Brighton Hornets.

Worthing reached their 1st Senior Cup final in 1891-92 (losing 5-3 to Brighton Hornets) before winning the 1892-93 final 2-1 against Eastbourne at the County Ground, Hove. This was the first of a record 21 Senior Cup wins, the most recent being in 1999. Worthing were founder members of the West Sussex Senior League in 1896, along with their local rivals Worthing Athletic (founded 1891). The first of 7 championships was won in 1898/99, qualifying Worthing to play the East Sussex League champions Brighton Athletic in the Sussex Charity Cup donated by the Royal Irish Rifles. This match was lost 2-1, but we went on to win the RUR Cup (as it became known) 13 times (including twice jointly with Horsham).

In 1899-00 the name "Association" was dropped and we entered the FA Cup and FA Amateur Cup for the first time.

In May 1900 Worthing and Worthing Athletic merged and in 1901 the Club moved to its current home, then known as the Sports Ground, now as Woodside Road.

The team of 1903-04 contained 3 players who would become full internationals; S.S. Harris and E.G.D. Wright for England and Charlie Webb for Ireland.

Worthing withdrew from the West Sussex League for the 1904-05 season, so as not to be in competition with the newly promoted Worthing Rovers (founded 1901). We rejoined the League in 1905 after merging with Rovers during the summer.

In 1907-08 Worthing reached the quarter finals of the FA Amateur Cup, where we drew 1-1 away to the eventual winners Depot Battalion Royal Engineers, before losing the replay 1-0 before a then record crowd of over 3,000.

After World War I, in 1919-20, Worthing competed in 2 leagues, being founder members of the Senior Division of the Brighton, Hove & District League and rejoining the West Sussex League. The following year we helped found the Sussex County League and resigned from the West Sussex League in protest at a rule change. The County League championship was won for the first 2 seasons: another 6 titles were won during our stay in this league. At the end of the 1921-22 season we applied to join the Athenian League, but withdrew the application before the AGM.

The FA Cup First Round Proper was reached in 1936-37, Worthing losing 4-3 at Yeovil & Petters United. In the 4th Qualifying Round we had beaten Wimbledon in front of our highest reported crowd of 3,600. This year also saw the first of 3 AFA Senior Cup finals reached, Worthing losing 7-1 to Harwich & Parkeston. The other 2 finals, in 1947 and 1949, were both lost to Cambridge Town.

In 1948-49 Worthing joined the Corinthian League. Little success was had in this league, finishing bottom 4 times. The best season was 1949-50, when a highest placing of 5th was achieved, along with reaching the Corinthian League Memorial Shield final for the only time (losing 2-1 to Erith & Belvedere).

The Corinthian League became Division 1 of the Athenian League in 1963 and Worthing enjoyed immediate success, being promoted as runners-up to Leatherhead as well as reaching the Athenian League Memorial Shield final (losing 2-1 to Chesham United on aggregate) and winning the AFA Invitation Cup (3-1 away to Harwich) for the first of 4 occasions.

Three seasons were spent in the Athenian League Premier Division before two successive relegations saw us languishing in Division 2. Worthing started their revival in 1971-72 by returning to Division 1 as runners-up to Staines Town and the following season reached the Athenian League Cup final, losing 2-0 away to Amateur Cup finalists Slough Town after extra-time.

Worthing left the Athenian League in 1977 to become members of the newly formed Isthmian League Division Two.

Barry Lloyd was appointed manager in 1981 and the Division 2 title was won in 1981-82, with prolific goalscorer Micky Edmonds scoring 53 goals. In 1982-83 we won the Division 1 title and reached the 2nd Round of the FA Cup, losing 4-0 at Oxford United. The next 2 seasons saw Worthing finish as runners-up in the Premier Division to Harrow Borough and Sutton United.

At the end of 1984-85 the Club's main stand burnt down. In 1985-86 we reached the last 16 of the FA Trophy. Barry Lloyd left to join Brighton & Hove Albion and the following year Worthing were relegated from the Premier Division. Four years later we had a disastrous season, finishing bottom of Division 1 with only 10 points and having conceded 157 goals.

Former Northern Ireland international Gerry Armstrong was appointed manager in 1991-92 and the following season Worthing became the first club to win Division 2 for a second time, having dropped only 12 points from the last 27 matches.

Armstrong left in the summer of 1994 to be replaced by his coach John Robson. Premier Division status was regained as runners-up to Boreham Wood in his first season and the FA Cup 1st Round reached again (losing 3-1 at AFC Bournemouth after taking the lead).

Worthing finished bottom in their first season back in the Premier and Robson was replaced as manager. Others followed before Brian Donnelly became manager at Christmas 1996. Under Donnelly's leadership, Worthing staged a remarkable late season recovery, winning their last 5 games to escape relegation on the last day. "Sammy" was to remain manager until November 2001 when Barry Lloyd returned for his second spell in charge.

In 1998-99 we were finalists in the Isthmian League Full Members' Cup and won the Sussex Senior Cup for the first time in 21 years. 1999-00 saw us reach the FA Cup 1st Round for a 4th time, losing at Rotherham United.

In 2001 Worthing celebrated 100 years of playing at Woodside Road, an event marked by the publication of the first book devoted to the Club.

In 2003-04 we finished 2nd in the league and thus regained our Premier Division place. Cup runs saw us reach the Senior Cup final and the last 32 of the FA Trophy, being beaten by eventual winners Hednesford Town. In 2005-06 our youth team won their division and reached the 1st Round of the FA Youth Cup for the first time. Our first team had topped the Isthmian League at New Year 2006 but eventually just missed out on a play-off spot.

In 2006-07 we got relegated, but did reach the Senior Cup final for the 28th time. Our youth team were again champions and also captured the Isthmian Youth Cup for a second time. In 2007-08 they became founder members of the Isthmian Youth League and won the Sussex FA Youth Cup for only the second time. In 2007-08 and 2008-09 we reached the promotion play-offs, but each time lost in the semi finals to the club that was eventually promoted. We did have the compensation of achieving our record unbeaten league run in 2008-09 season, managing to go 21 matches without defeat.

The management partnership of Alan Pook and Danny Bloor chose to resign in the summer of 2009 and Simon Colbran, then coach at Eastbourne Borough took over the reins. Worthing again managed a play-off spot, but yet again Worthing failed at the first hurdle, losing to Godalming Town. Colbran resigned at the end of the season and Chris White took over for 2010/11. After a year of tight budgets Chris managed a solid mid-table position and lifted the Brighton Charity Cup in his first season, and looks to build on that for 2011/12.

[MacroGuru]

Announcement of the Signing
The Worthing FC board has announced the appointment of Daniel Cooper as the club's new head coach.

Cooper is said to be relishing the opportunity to coach at A2B Woodside Stadium and the Worthing FC supporters are sure to be hoping he can make a difference.

It is rumored that Daniel is to be under contract for 1 yr and paid $475 a week.

Meeting with the Board

Daniel meets with the board, their demands were reasonable. Finish in the top half of the league this season. That's it.

To do that they have given him the following:
Payroll: $1.27K p/w
Transfer Budget: $0

Daniel gives a little push back as he wants to take this team to the next level and wants more money to do it. He schedules another meeting with the board to go over funding.

Daniel meets with the board again and tells them he is bucking for promotion and they give in a little and raise the payroll budget to $1.33K p/w which should be doable.

Meeting with the Assistant
Assistant Kieran Collins introduces himself to Daniel. They schedule an intra-squad friendly the next day so he can get a grasp of the team.

Daniel then assigns Kieran the duties of coaching the youth club and ensuring the tactics follow his.

They also line up another meeting to meet the staff.

[MacroGuru]

Team Report

Daniel likes to run a 3-4-3 and attacking. So looking at the squad it might be able to handle the tactic.

ST: Jamie Brotherton is a star and will be on the field. Young Phil Oldroyd is an amazing young prospect that will more than likely see time on the senior squad. After that, you have Nick Sullivan who is below average and will more than likely be sent.

Midfield: All the stars are here with Paul Kennett, Mat Piper, Jamie Brotherton, Luke Gelding and Spencer Slaughter as starters. Young Adrian Hemsley will take the reigns in a back up position more than likely.

Defense: Matt Hurley and Steve Metcalf are the talent here. There is no youth worth bringing up.

Goalkeepers: Very young and raw. This will be the weakspot of the team unless a vet can be brought it.

Staff Meeting

Kieran Collins advises on scouting two veteran keepers. 37 yr old Karamoko Keita and 36 yr old Andy Woods and Daniel tells him to get on it.

FK, PK and CK takers are decided upon.

[MacroGuru]

The reports come back on the keepers and Daniel offers on Karamoko to be the future at keeper.

Karamoko accepts with a non contract, dual role as a player / Goal Keeping coach.

He also decides to offer Woods as well, but as a player only. Woods accepts.

There is a young talented coach coming up the ranks and Daniel reaches out to him and offers him a contract of $80 week.

[MacroGuru]

Intra-squad Friendly Match

Botherton ends up injured in the first 12 minutes and he is subbed by Adrian Hemsley who will drop back and play in the AM position converting the tactics to a 3-4-1-2.

At 32 minutes O'Flaherty nails a goal from the top of the circle. 1-0

66 minute Shaw takes it into the upper right corner. 2-0

80 dumb play on the defense, Benn steals it and blasts it. 2-1

All in all, it was a decent match to catch an understanding of the team.

The physio informs Daniel that Jamie Brotherton is out for 5 to 6 weeks due to a broken wrist.

[MacroGuru]

Friendly Games Scheduled

7/21 - @Tivdale
7/24 - Cray Wanderers
7/28 - Uxbridge FC
8/1 - @ Peacehaven & Telscombe
8/4 - @ Holmer Green

[MacroGuru]

Concord Rangers and Walton & Hersham FC have both made offers to Jamie Brotherton. I know he is injured, I want to keep him because he is the most talented of my strikers but it doesn't appear that he is inclined to stick around.

Brotherton makes his decision and heads to join Walton & Hersham FC.

7/20 England Trialists

Daniel decided he wanted to attend the England Trials to keep an eye on some future talent and see if he can get any of that talent to come to the team.

Kamara, Dennis and Soukura were a few of the talents that were noticed.

7/21 @ Tividale

GK Andy Woods
DCR Paul Kennett
DC Matt Hurley
DCL Steve Metcalf
MR Matt Piper
MCR Luke Gelding
MCL Scott Kirkwood
ML Chris O'Flaherty
STCR Tom Lawley
STC Charlie Romain
STCL Phil Oldroyd
S1 GK Oliver Foran
S2 M (RC) Spencer Slaughter
S3 AM (RC) Adrian Hemsley
S4 AM (R), ST Nick Sullivan
S5 AM (LC) Russell Shaw

Worthing FC will be running a 3-4-3 while Tividale will run a 5-3-2. This will be a game of attacks and counters. Worthing is picked to win the match.

8:30 Tividales Bull breaks free and is able to get the shot off and past Woods. GOAL! Tividale goes up 1-0!

15:40 Tividales Stanley sends a long deep shot above the outstretched fingers of the keeper. GOAL! Tividale has extended the lead to 2-0!

Oliver Foran subs in for Woods.

22:05 Tom Lawley takes an injury. Helmsley comes in and moves to AMC.

26:54 A cross from Stanley to Curley sees another one into the back of the net. GOAL! Tividale is now up 3-0!

Halftime: The locker room wasn't a pretty place, not only did Daniel rip the team apart, he laid into several players in regards to their play. He did manage to relax a few. Hopefully the second half is better.

50:00 Sub in Sullivan for Oldroyd, Slaughter in for Metcalf.

53:23 A cross to Pierpoint ends up into the back of the net. GOAL! Tividale goes up 4-0!

61:14 Matt Piper is injured. Russell Shaw comes on in his place.

Final: Tividale 4 - 0 Worthing FC

Tividale dominated the match, the Rebels couldn't get anything going. Back to the tactical drawing board.

[MacroGuru]

The game against Tividale showed several glaring weaknesses and Daniel immediately goes out and has several players scouted.

M/AM (L) Darren Wheeler
ST Ben Camara
M (R) Tom Head
ST Jamie Maynard
M (R) Brett Williams
D (C) Ryan Royston

Also the board denied the acquisition of GK Kieta on grounds that we do not need another coach.

[MacroGuru]

7/42 - Cray Wanderers (Friendly)

GK Francis Brewer
DCR Tom Stillwe
DC Matt Hurley
DCL Matthew Daniel
MR Harvey Sparks
MCR Paul Kennett
MCL Luke Gelding
ML Chris O'Flaherty
STCR Nick Sullivan
STC Kieron Pammett
STCL Phil Oldroyd

S1 GK Andy Woods
S2 D/M (R) Matt Piper
S3 AM (RC) Adrian Hemsley
S4 M (RC) AM (C) Scott Kirkwood
S5 D (RLC) Steve Metcalf
S6 M (RC) Spencer Slaughter
S7 AM (L), ST Tom Lawley
S8 GK Oliver Foran
S9 AM (LC) Charlie Romain
S10 AM (LC) Russell Shaw
S11 D (C) Josh Bryant
S12 AM (L), ST Tim McClurg

Worthing will come out in a 3-4-3 and the Cray Wanderers will be using a 4-4-2 mixed formation. This game is picked as a draw based upon past performance for both teams.

42:45 Crays Rosier steals the ball and walks it into the box and perfectly crosses to Williams who sends it home. GOAL! Cray Wanderers goes up 1-0!

Halftime: Sees the team down again and Daniel encouraging the players to finish this game.

56:00 Wholesale substitution sees Bryant, McClurg, Romain, Shaw, Lawley, Slaughter, Metcalf, Kirkwood, Piper in for Oldoyd, Pammet, Sullivan, Gelding, Kennett, Sparks, Daniel, Hurley and Stillwell.

73:00 O'Flaherty is subbed by Hemsley

76:07 Piper with a long pass down the right side to McClurg, he receives it and is able to get some space into the box. He shoots, he scores! GOAL! And Worthing is able to equalize the match! 1-1

Full Time: It was a back and forth game, and I don't know if anything was pulled from this match except the younger talent is better than some of the vets.

Worthing FC 1 - 1 Cray Wanderers

[MacroGuru]

Scouting reports came back on the following players:

M/AM (L) Darren Wheeler

Steve Bowditch has managed to compile a report card for Darren Wheeler as per your instructions.

Steve Bowditch believes that Wheeler would be interested in joining our club.
Wheeler would probably be available for free.
Wheeler would be very interested in joining our club on loan.
Wheeler would probably ask for a salary of between $200 p/w and $350 p/w.

Bowditch believes that Wheeler would be a useful signing.

ST Ben Camara

Steve Bowditch has managed to compile a report card for Ben Camara as per your instructions.

Steve Bowditch believes that Camara would be interested in joining our club.
Camara would probably be available for free.
Camara would be very interested in joining our club on loan.
Camara would probably want to sign on a non-contract basis.

Bowditch believes that Camara would be a decent signing.

Neither one would crack the starting in their respective positions, but Ben Camara has speed and it is liked with the Strikers. So an offer goes out to Camara.

[MacroGuru]

Eastbourne Town slipped in and signed Steve Metcalf from Worthing, that was a sneaky one as I knew he was wanted, but did not know he was receiving offers.

After a staff meeting, there were about 8 additional players the staff felt we should scout and they were sent out to scout.

Camara rejected us and will not be joining the club.

[MacroGuru]

More scouting reports have come in:

M (R) Tom Head
Steve Bowditch has managed to compile a report card for Tom Head as per your instructions.

Steve Bowditch believes that Head would have no intention of joining our club at this time.
Head can be signed on a pre-contract immediately for approximately $8K compensation.

Steve Bowditch believes that you should sign Head whatever the price.

ST Jamie Maynard
Steve Bowditch has managed to compile a report card for Jamie Maynard as per your instructions.

Steve Bowditch believes that Maynard would have no intention of joining our club at this time.
Maynard can be signed on a pre-contract immediately for approximately $8K compensation.

Bowditch believes that Maynard should be regarded as a definite purchase.

ST John Hodnet
Chief Scout Steve Bowditch has sent you Dean Smith's report card for John Hodnet as per your instructions.

Dean Smith believes that Hodnet would be interested in joining our club.
Hodnet would probably want to sign on a non-contract basis.

Smith believes that Hodnet should be regarded as a definite purchase.

ST Phil Warrington
Chief Scout Steve Bowditch has sent you Dean Smith's report card for Phil Warrington as per your instructions.

Dean Smith believes that Warrington would be interested in joining our club.
Warrington would probably want to sign on a non-contract basis.

Smith believes that Warrington should be regarded as a definite purchase.

ST Matt Rawlins
Chief Scout Steve Bowditch has sent you Kieran Collins' report card for Matt Rawlins as per your instructions.

Kieran Collins believes that Rawlins would be extremely interested in joining our club.
Rawlins would probably be available for free.
Rawlins would probably ask for a salary of between $140 p/w and $240 p/w.
Rawlins can be signed on a pre-contract immediately.

Kieran Collins believes that you should sign Rawlins whatever the price.

ST Matt Groves
Chief Scout Steve Bowditch has sent you Kieran Collins' report card for Matt Groves as per your instructions.

Kieran Collins believes that Groves would be interested in joining our club.
Groves would probably be available for free.
Groves would probably ask for a salary of between $75 p/w and $130 p/w.
Groves can be signed on a pre-contract immediately.

Kieran Collins believes that you should sign Groves whatever the price.

Offers are made directly to Rawlins and Groves, both have accepted.