So for the first time in more than 40 years of it’s history Prince Albert Football Club had reached the top division of the Ashford & District Sunday League.  Having played my first match for the club in Division 4 in 2007 I was excited to have reached the ‘pinnacle’.

Yet the summer brought a change as title winning manager Stu stepped down from his role to spend more time with his young family.  He was replaced as Manager by Brownie, a committed and hard working full back/winger who had played a key role in the side’s rise from Division 3.  A new job also meant I would only be available for a maximum of 6 out of every 8 weeks for the forthcoming season.

Pre-season:
Prince Albert 1 Appledore 2
Put in at central midfield we led one nil at half time thanks to a scruffy goal I netted from close range.  On a scorching hot morning the game was a useful exercise to start building back my fitness.

Aldington 3 Prince Albert 5
Back in at centre back with new signing Luke I scored my second goal in two games as we stormed into a 3 nil lead before being pushed back in the second half. A decent performance against Aldington’s strong and quick forwards.

Ashford Dynamo 3 Prince Albert 5 (First league game)
A great start to the season with a hard fought victory.  Barraged with countless long balls and throw ins we were penned in for much of the second half.  I conceded a contentious penalty which was superbly saved by out keeper Hadley. 

Mersham 1 Prince Albert 3
An efficient performance in a tight game.  We went ahead with 20 minutes to go after a barnstorming run and shot from full back Joe.  Made a tackle and pass beginning the move for our late third goal.

Prince Albert 4 Ashford Athletic 4
Trailing 4-1 at half time and down to 10 men we dominated the second half and got our rewards with a late equaliser.  Kept a high line in the second half and moved up to support the midfield.

Mersham 3 Prince Albert 1 (Cup)
Made a mistake losing possession by the corner flag which ended with a goal which put us behind at half time.  Chasing a turnaround I was subbed off after 45 minutes as new signing Sean took my place.

Prince Albert 0 Market Hotel 7
Part of a makeshift side which was comprehensively outclassed by the reigning champions. 

Market Hotel 6 Prince Albert 0
Part of another depleted line up we were undone by 3 goals from set pieces in the first half.  Given the run around in the second half we were grateful to our keeper Hadley for keeping the score down.

With the weather leading to the last matches of the calendar year being called off, there was time to judge my performance.  I had been part of the side which had won the league but also been part of the drubbings we had suffered to superior opposition.  My confidence had suffered as a result and I knew I faced a challenge to keep my place in the side.  I opened my work bag and the book I had been reading that day stared back at me, ‘Massively Violent and Decidedly Average’ by Lee Howey; I disagree with being considered violent yet other than that there was no questioning this was a fitting description of my recent performances.

Seeking some form of support from my wife, she commented, “I don’t understand why you are still playing it’s not like you’re going to be in the Premier League or anything; you need to get your priorities right”.  She had seemingly failed to recognise I was now playing in the (Ashford & District Sunday) Premier League.

Facing a fight for my place, competing family demands and work commitments, could I battle back and improve my performance? Or, after 11 seasons and at 35 years of age was it time to consider doing something else on Sunday mornings?  It felt my footballing life was at a crossroads.

My idea for this piece came on the evening of Saturday December 15th after finding out my game had been called off the next morning meaning I had already played my last match of the calendar year.  I was now 35 years old, at an age  some would consider to be a veteran?   Here are my recollections:

I started the year playing for Prince Albert in the Ashford & District Sunday League Division One (ADSL).  We were in a title race.

Lolzors 3 Prince Albert 6
Lolzors came in as overnight leader having played more games, played at the Towers 3G pitch.  Played Centre Back with Trotty, we went 1 nil down from pressurising high up the pitch in the first half then we equalised and I scored a header to put us ahead.  Trotty and Bazz the right back also scored so the defence contributed to a good win which put us top of the league.

Charing 2 Prince Albert 0 (Cup Semi Final)
Preparation ruined by kit arriving late, a disappointing performance in wet and windy conditions.

Prince Albert 5 Appledore 0
A comfortable victory. I nodded in a header to seal what felt to be a strong performance. 

Prince Albert 4 Ashford Athletic 1
In effect a title decider.  New signing Riley scored two in a champion team performance which felt great for everyone.

Charing 1 Prince Albert 3
A bogey side having lost there in the cup. A tight game locked at 1-1 with 20 minutes to go until our sub DBH put us ahead with his first involvement.  Dealt with their striker well, won high balls.  Started the move for the 3rd goal.

Ashford Dynamo 2 Prince Albert 1
Defeat cut out our lead at the top of the table to 3 points. Underpar performance against a strong side.

Prince Albert 4 Ashford Cavaliers 1
Playing against my good mate Barron, who was skipper for Cavaliers.  Decent performance blocking a few goal destined shots.

Prince Albert 3 Troggs 2
Needing to avoid a 7-0 loss we went behind twice but fought back as a team with superstar winger Ryan scoring a late winner which brought champagne into the dressing room.

What a great end to the season leading to  a red hot summer of World Cup football on the TV accompanied with plenty of cold beer.

It was the greatest achievement from a Prince Albert side ever; an unforgettable season and meant for the first time in itis history the side would play in the Ashford District Sunday League Premier Division.  I felt happy and proud I had played a part in it.  Little did I know what the next six months would bring…