News

Notice is hereby given that the AGM for the playing season 2005/06 will be held at the Great Paxton Recreation Ground Pavilion on Sunday 14^th May. The meeting will commence at 6pm. All nominees for Club positions and proposed rule changes must be lodged with the Club Secretary on or before Sunday 30^th April.

17-10-05 Helen Brocklehurst will be combining the duties of Secretary and Fixture Secretary of Great Paxton following the resignation of Rachael Martin.

The Clubs end of season presentation night was held in a new venue this year, due to a change in committee and that we thought it would be nice to have a change in scenery.

Organised by Committee members, we advertised, got tickets printed, got all the votes in and ordered some fantastic trophies from Ely Trophies, we were set to have a good night.

Players, friends and family all turned up in their glad rags on the mini bus, ready for a night of fun, beer, food and dancing!!!

It was very good night, with people mingling and chatting – the lads trying to fit as many pints as they could in before manager Plumb got up to make the speech and present the awards.

Helen and Chris Eagan went round selling tickets for the much anticipated game of play your cards wrong – where as usual most players said “I don’t have any money!!!!!!” but it would not be Great Paxton FC if a few didn’t say that!!! We are used to that!!

Food came out, and it was a great spread from The George, and the guests seemed more than pleased, finally!!! This time though they could not escape to town, they were stuck with us for the evening.

9:00pm came and Matt got up to his do bit and present the awards, after the thank you's and quick conclusion on how the season went.

The players actually were well behaved this year and sat and listened to the presentation, cheering on their fellow team mates.

Matt finished his speech and then Rachael got up to make her speech and presentation to two Club members. It was agreed that there were two people that deserved rewarding for their service to the club after being involved for over 10 years.

Firstly, Chairman Andy Oxborough, and then Player/Manager Matt Plumb. Also as an extra ‘surprise’ for Matt, it was announced that he was having a testimonial for his service to the club.

After all the awards got presented, it was left to the players and everyone else to dance and party the night away!!! We then had a game of Play your Cards Wrong – which no one won, so money was put behind the bar for the players to have a free drink, which made them happy. The night continued until around midnight, when the bar closed and the carriage awaited to take all the players home before they turned into pumpkins!!

I think it’s safe to say everyone enjoyed themselves and a big thanks to all involved in helping arrange the night.

End of season presentation night on Friday May 13th at The George in Huntingdon - 7pm till late.

Tickets are £12 each to include, buffet, disco and presentation.

Trust me its a great night and you even get to see me do Play your cards wrong!!! and you could win some money.

Its our night to celebrate the trials and tribulations of the season gone and the highs and lows.

There is now a bus running for this night - a 49 seater - 1st come 1st serve.

It is picking up those from town and passing through the village to do a pick up and take. then will bring back at midnight.

Please let me know.

£4 per person return - bargain!!!! To be paid on the night or before to myself or Andy.

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On Sunday 18th May, a Great Paxton XI will travel to Daventry Sports
Park, to play against the DHL UK team, prior to it's annual trip to
Belgium to play in the DHL Euro Cup. The DHL squad is jointly run by
Reserves Player/Manager Rob Worrall and, if his dodgy hamstring holds up, he hopes to play some part in the match.

The game, which will kick off at approximately 2.15pm is a repeat of the
match played at Northampton Town FC two years ago. That game was decided by spot-kicks, after a 2-2 draw and this time it will also end with a penalty shoot out, regardless of the score! The DHL side need to
practice penalties, which often decide Euro Cup matches, given that the
format is 15 minute each way games.

Refreshments will be laid on for both team afterwards, at a near-by pub
and supporters are welcome, although no special transport arrangements have been laid on at this stage. Daventry Sports Park is just over an hours drive by car, off Junction 16 of the M1. For more specific directions, or more info on the game, contact Rob.

March 15th update: Unknown to us Wratting fielded an ineligible player, when we played them last month, The Cambs League decided the match should be replayed March 22nd.

2nd January 2003. Matt Plumb is to manage the 1st team till the end of the season, he will be looking to appoint an assistant.

The match is definitely on as part of our official opening day of the extension to our Rec ground pavilion on September 15th. Kick off time will be 1.30 with the opening ceremony at 1.00. The rec ground will officially open at 12.00 for all the peripheral activities like bouncy castle etc etc.

The official opening ceremony will be conducted by the Hunts FA Secretary Maurice Armstrong and he will be accompanied by other Hunts FA dignitaries. There may be someone from FA headquarters at Soho Square.

The reserves are in the Lower Junior Cup Final v Ramsey Town Res. at Eynesbury Rovers FC on April 18th, 7.30 ko.

Rob Worrall has decided to move on to Cottenham, his transfer should go through before the March 1st deadline.

"As most of you will know, I am transferring to Cottenham United in order
to fulfill my desire to continue playing regularly at Cambs Premier
level.

Events have happened quite quickly and I haven't had a proper chance to
say goodbye - hence this short note to you all.

I have had a fantastic four years with Great Paxton, made many friends
and enjoyed plenty of success. I'm proud to have played some part in the
clubs progression on and off the pitch and in many ways it is a wrench
to leave.
However, with the club continuing to progress and with Spav and Duff
quite rightly signing more players to improve the squad, I feel it's
time for a fresh challenge.

I wish the club and everyone involved in it every success, both for the
remainder of this season (starting with the two cups!!!) and beyond.

To the young lads, particularly JohnG, Gareth, Luke and AdamS, I look
forward to hearing about and seeing your continued progress! To the
likes of Spav, Duffy, Nick and Kitch who I've played football with at
several clubs over many years, I'll miss you guys! To those off the
pitch who are Great Paxton Football Club - you know who you are......you
have a football club to be proud of and long may it continue.

As discussed with some of you in the last week, I hope to return to
Great Paxton - sooner or later - to finish my playing days and once
again get involved with the running of the club.

I have spoken to several of you over the last week - thank you for your
words of appreciation and for understanding and supporting my reasons
for making this move.

See you all at a Paxton game soon, or for a drink in the Bell.

best regards,
Rob"

Ian Dawkes appeal against his suspension was reasonably successful, reduced from 112 to 42 days, January 7th 2002.

Verbal confirmation last night (Friday 24/08/01) that we are going to get the money from the Football Foundation to enable the Pavilion Project to go ahead. Official statement expected soon.

We don't know quite how or why but the Reserves will be playing in Division 2B this coming season, this is great news and thoroughly deserved after a tremendous season.

We are going to try and create a ladies football team to play friendlies in the coming season then apply for league status the season after. Notices are going out and adverts placed in the local press. Anyone interested in either playing or getting involved in the management/administration should contact the club secretary on 01480 475413 (regardless of ability).

Nick Dyer is trying to organise a sponsored bike ride for 4th August, anyone interested should have their head examined.

Pavilion Project Update 11/07/01 : At a very important meeting yesterday our application for funds from the Football Foundation passed it's first test. We are now very hopeful of success and if so blessed will be looking to start the improvements at the end of August.

The mini soccer project kicked-off last Saturday with 14-15 youngsters showing up for the first session. Anyone knowing a football mad 8-11 year old (boy or girl) should get them to come down the Rec on a Saturday between 10 and 11pm.

The new the date for the Chairman's bar-b-q is Saturday 4th August 6.30 at The Bell, all members and their families are cordially invited.

Training starts Sunday 1st July 2001 at The Recreation Ground @ 10.30am then every Sunday same time.

Bad news about Duffy, apparently he's snapped an achilles tendon, is in plaster and may not play for some time, still his mouth still works!

Congratulations to Alan and Rebekah on the arrival of Darcy (see 'New arrivals for details).

Adam Swain last night (2nd May) broke Ian Gabriel's Reserve Team scoring record of 30 goals in a season, Adam is now on 32 with three games to go.

The new date for the John Ablett Cup Final is May 16th at Histon, the coach will be leaving The Bell at 6.15pm.

The AGM date has been changed due to re-arranged fixtures and holidays, it will now be held in The Pavilion on Tuesday 29th May 8.00pm - all welcome.

Congratulations to Alan and the reserves, their 17 game unbeaten run (as of 29th April) eclipses the club record of 14 set at the beginning of last season by the 1st Team.

Correction: It has been pointed out that between April 6th 1999 and November 20th 1999 the first team went 21 games unbeaten (sorry Spav), the reserves now stand at 18 (as at 1st May).

The Chairman has announced the date for his bar-b-q (if re-elected) as 28th July 6.30 at The Bell, all members and their families are cordially invited.

The new date for the John Ablett Cup Final is yet to be set, we will be running a coach and obviously everybody who has paid will be allocated a seat.

The cost of the coach for the John Ablett Cup Final at Cambridge City has been fixed at £4 per head. Please pay Richard, Wendy or Tony by Tuesday 24th.

~~The AGM will be held in The Pavilion on Wednesday 2nd May 8.00pm - all welcome.~~

The next committee meeting is in The Bell, 7.45pm Sunday 29th April. There will be a presentation on 'Mini Soccer' by representatives from the Hunts FA, it is important that as many members attend as possible.

Congratulations to Alan Cullum and the reserves for creating a new scoring record, the best any previous Reserve team had achieved was 84 in a season, that has now been surpassed with plenty of games to set a great total.

"... due to the number of mid week fixtures all future training is postponed unless specifically called for by the team managers."

There is (on the 'Links' page) a way to get to the Town of St. Neots

Website, they have repaid the compliment by having a link back to this site on their 'Local Sports' page, I quote " Great Paxton FC (Cambs Kershaw Premier) have a superb 200 page website at www.greatpaxtonfootball.co.uk." give them a visit.

Many congratulations to Steph who produced Megan at 2.20pm on Friday 30th March despite Spav helping.

Many congratulations to Alan Cullum and his reserve team who are through to the final of the John Ablett Cup against Gamlingay Reserves on ~~Wednesday April 25th~~ kick off 7.30 at Cambridge City FC.

It has been decided to run a supporters coach to leave The Bell that evening at 6.15, there is a notice in The Bell and a form for names. It is obviously important to have an early idea of numbers so that the correct size coach is ordered and costs kept to a minimum. Estimated Cost is £3.50 to £4.00 a head.

"Matt Plumb has rejoined GPFC...after discussions with myself and Howard Fieldhouse, Matt has decided that he wants to carry on his career at Paxton after a brief spell at St Neots. Matt enjoyed his time there, but felt his heart was too involved in Paxton."

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In an interview last night Great Paxton Chairman Howard Fieldhouse

denied that the FA had made an approach for Manager Mark Spavins before having to settle for Sven Goran Eriksson.

When asked what compensation the club would be looking for, if such an occasion arose, Mr Fieldhouse stated he would be looking for double the figure received from Somersham when they took Simon Anderson but only half the amount St. Neots paid for Matt Plumb.