Cashmere Wanderers AFC - Senior Team Profiles

Week 10 - Ashburton Eastern 4-1 win (Away)

Firstly on behalf of the rest of the team I would like to take this opportunity to thank Cashmere for accepting us into their ranks for the 2005 season.

Although some people have commented that we have seen more clubs than Tiger Woods, it is with great anticipation that we start our inaugural year with the Wanderers.

The nucleus of our team comes from a solid core of friends from the Riccarton Cricket Club who have played together (in the most non contact way) for a number of years.

After sweeping all before us in Canterbury 2nd and 3rd grade cricket competitions in the late 90's,we decided a new sporting challenge was required and we signed up with Nomads ( no accounting for taste) in 1997.

Despite a few of the boys having played the beautiful game in their youth, it was very much a trip into the unknown when we pulled on the royal blue strip for the first time.

We spent a couple of seasons at Tullett Park which included the magical league/cup double when we swept all before us and resulted in a number of offers from rival clubs wanting to sign us over.

We had a year out to consider our playing futures and to allow a few of the boys to get their overseas experiences out of the way and joined up with the Halswell Hawks in 2000.

Many of the regulars from the Nomads days returned, along with new blood such as Canterbury cricket representative Gary Stead. Such was Steads' enjoyment of the winter code he eventually made himself unavailable from International cricket, much to the disgust of Sir Richard, but to the delight of his Hawks team mates.

In three seasons with Halswell we somewhat fell into the "gunners" (and I don't mean Arsenal) tag, by finishing in the top three positions each year but not been able to walk away with the silverware. We also made the knockout cup final twice, only to fall like Zola Budd at the last hurdle.

Having come so close in the past three seasons to glory we felt that a change in club maybe the catalyst to inspire us to championship success.

So following some frantic emailing from Chris Mugford in the off season, we were presented with a number of offers from various Christchurch clubs keen to secure our services for 2005.

After a special general meeting of our team, where the offers were presented and discussed at length, the unanimous decision was reached to join the mighty Cashmere Club. Ultimately the combination of a dazzling maroon and gold uniform and $3.30 pints made it a very easy decision to make.

So our hopes are high for a memorable and highly enjoyable season both on and off the pitch.

Finally I would like to conclude by thanking the club once again for taking us on, we will endeavor to wear the colours of Cashmere with pride and hopefully with great success.
I have included a brief player profile of our squad, and we will be available for guest speaking and autograph opportunities throughout the season.

Introducing the Cashmere Sweaters for 2005

Simon Grant (Defender) - A KFC junkie who's diet of 3 piece quarter packs and coke have meant he will struggle to ever play as a striker despite what he thinks, loves mirrors.

Chris Mugford (Midfielder) - Strongman of the team raised from a league background who is still trying to achieve the first 40/20 kick in football history.

Dominic Johnson (Goalkeeper) - Brilliant ex Tottenham custodian who often keeps us in matches single handily, also a promising school teacher headed for Uganda next year.

Graeme Ainsworth (Defender) - The Rogue is the proverbial rock of the backline. Has the best cranium in the league and will be missed when he eventually goes overseas.

Bryce Randle (Defender) - Known throughout the league for suffering some of the most bizarre injuries even seen in Canterbury Football Association history. Currently suffering from buttock cramps.

Michael Grantham (Defender) - A relative newcomer to the side having played the past couple of seasons. Learning a lot from his teammates not all of it football related.

Paul Miller (Defender/Midfield) - El Hato or Hattie is one of the truly gifted members of the squad. Now a regular at Wednesday night trainings as means he can stay over at his girlfriends house in Spreydon.

John Harris (Defender/Midfield) - Unlike his name sake from the Blackcaps our Harry has plenty of hair. Language likely to deteriorate after a few beers so talk to him before speeches if you don't want to be offended.

Gary Stead (Midfield) - Gave up International cricket to concentrate on Presidents "C" football. The only thing small on this player is his boots.

John Bishop (Midfield) - So impressed with the guys he met at the Riccarton Cricket Club, pleaded to be included in the football team. The fact that his brother plays for Mt Wellington didn't do him any harm either.

Jay Mauchen (Midfield) - The second of our overseas imports, this Canadian has more talent than the strip on a Saturday night. Also a big fan of Anne Murray.

Greg Clark (Midfield) - The Forrest Gump of our team who just keeps on running. Had some anger management issues last year but has spent the summer attending Karate classes to learn restraint.

Gareth Mercer (Midfield) - Promising player who has been used as an impact player in the past, but now pressing for a fulltime contract. Needs to give up drinking and skiing to stand any chance however.

Andrew Reid (Midfield) - Perennial winner of the golden boot award amongst our team. Averages a goal per game throughout his career but recently married so expect that to change.

Rodney Downes (Striker) - Mr. Stats of the league. Can give you scores from any Presidents "C" match since 1975. Can score off the pitch as well, demonstrated by the pending arrival of his first child in June.

Mark Bennet ( Striker) - Also recently shot one past the keeper and is expecting his first child in July. Lethal from anywhere inside the six yard box.