Today I finished off the 2009/10 season write-up for 1,309 Days Later. This was a remarkable season that saw us take our first win in 63 matches, concede less than 100 goals for the first time since I joined the club and lose a host of players due to injury.
Our goalkeeper broke his ankle right in front of me while I missed most of the season with knee ligament problems but we managed to take a huge six points.
With that season now written up, I can begin working on 2010/11, where we endured some serious thumpings before moving out of the Midlands League system. I for one, couldn’t wait to get away.
It had been an eventful season, full of highs and lows. More lows than highs but compared to previous years, far more hights. The wins over Long Buckby were obvious highlights, but the way we played against the likes of Derby Asterdale and Worksop were especially pleasing.
Injuries had taken a huge toll on us, forcing important outfield players such as Higgs and Hale to deputise in goal after Chambers’ unfortunate ankle injury. I believe that with Chambers in goal and the natural balance of our team restored we would have scored more than the six points we managed.
For the first season since I had joined the club we had achieved one other thing. We had successfully managed to concede less than 100 goals. 99 might be an unlucky score in cricket but for us, it was a nice number.
1,309 Days Later, the story of how Grantham Men’s 1st XI went over three years without a league victory, is due to published later this year. A proportion of any royalties will go back into the club to support grass roots hockey.