The Courier & Gazette
Super League Preview
Going into the new season it's all change for the Super League of Hwiccemark. Changes come threefold: new format, new broadcaster and, for the first time, qualification to international competition.
The first big change is format, gone are the days of a league of 10 teams. The Super League now re-emerges with 16 teams, the largest number in the competitions history, and larger than the old First Division. Of the 16 teams, 9 come from the old Super League, 6 from the now abolished Super League Two and 1 from the old National Division 1. The 6 from Super League Two is the least controversial decision, the best of the second tier provide ample quality. The one team from the third tier was promoted on the basis of ensuring that the route between the Super Leagues and the National league wasn't cut off, but this remains highly controversial. Particularly so for Husavik FC, one of the biggest teams of the far north, who's 13 year stay in the top division was ended by the narrowest of margins last season. They go down to the second tier.
A new broadcasting deal has also followed the change in format, Hwiccemark's public broadcaster (Hwiccean Broadcasting Union) has lost exclusive rights, with Hwicce Sports Broadcasting and Satellite Sport taking over the rights to a lot of games. This influx of broadcasting money is largely due to the interest in clubs' potential qualification for IFCF competitions, and the associated glamour of international football.
But enough of this nonsense, it's time to engineer so jeopardy around the title race!
Longborth Cross FC
Longborth Cross FC, the flash boys of the second city. Last year they had great success playing counter attacking football, backed by a solid defense. They're going for their third Super League title in a row and their 5th first division title of all time. They could also take their second double in a row. Their 8 point lead at the end of last season proved their quality, but others have invested heavily and it'll take a lot to swell their trophy cabinet this season.
Their relatively comfortable budget allowed them to hold most of the talent in their squad. Their system uses a solid base of three defenders and the best midfield anchor in the league. In front lies a fast breaking strike force, Reece and Nyberg provide plenty of cut and thrust in attacking midfield. Striker Fairweather doesn't contribute much to play, but has a happy habit of banging goals in. The full-backs provide the width in this system, and in Wieczorek and Arbeider they have two full-backs who do the basics well. They're quick, provide crossing threat and are strong going back. Cross's main weakness lies not in their playing staff, but in their system. Whilst the solidity stands them in good stead against strong opposition, they sometimes struggle to break defenses down. It's also worth noting that their forwards are relatively old, and might not always have the pace necessary to counter like they used to.
Brysborg Metropolitan FC
Brysborg Metro have a reputation for being incredibly flash, but lacking the ability to ever get over the line. They've won two Federal Cups, including the 1983/84 title as their most recent piece of silverware, but it couldn't cover the disappointment of missing their first league title by virtue of goal difference. Wealthy backers, high gate revenues have given them the big budget means to build a slick passing, flash dribbling squad. Whether or not they have the mettle to carry it off this time remains in doubt.
Metro utilise a classic 4-3-3 formation, with two flashy centre backs providing width to two flashy wide attackers. They play out from the back, and in Ecclestone they have one of the best young ball playing centre-backs around. Hidde Yonker provides the only thing resembling balance, sitting at the base of the midfield and covering vast amounts of ground to clobber counter attacks. Further forward, and the rest of the midfield provides oodles of creativity, and in Wickerman the possess the leagues best false nine. Questions do need to best asked about their defensive solidity, with the full-backs and most of the midfield pressing on, theirs only so much a defensive unit of three can do. Metro continue to try and play football that's easy on the eye, they now need to prove that it can secure them a title.
Friskney Rovers
Friskney Rovers are an odd club, and for many years seemed to lack identity. Representing a mining town, yet drawing support from its wealthier quarters, they matched decent crowds with chronic under performance and turgid football. They were never relegated from the first tier, but never won any silverware. All this changed when now manager Wobbe Winthrop arrived in 1972. An overhauled squad shifted through the gears and won a record 3 Federal Cups in a row between 1974 and 1976. Friskney then took on the league, secure three titles in 1978/79, 1979/80 and 1983/84, and the first ever domestic treble in 1978/79. They now finally have defined bragging rights over their rough and ready neighbours Svaelaborg, and are continuing a push for silverware.
Of all the features of Friskney's play, slightly turgid football is the one that has remained most embedded. This squad likes to put the ball in the air and use a height advantage, they also press up high and use physicality to overrun sides. Playmaking wing-backs Dinsmore and Bakema like to underlap the midfield, with two playmakers dragging out to the wing and providing diagonals balls across to cause teams problems. Some are beginning to question whether Friskney will be able to run with the big boys this season, and whether Winthrop is tactically shot. Their strength as a unit, they hope, will make up for a lack of slick passing play.
Ruisling Juniors
Ruisling Juniors, the side everyone loves to hate. They've got the biggest budget, biggest stadium, most fickle fans and some of the best players. They also have more First Divsion titles than everyone else, picking up their 7th in 1982/93. The last three seasons have been somewhat of a disappointment, where their possession play has failed to cut the mustard against Longborth Cross and Friskney's sturdy back lines. Their greater financial heft has led to the acquisition of some promising talent from lower divisions, which they'll hope provides the edge to see them back to the top this time.
Look at Ruisling's system and you can see a dedication to attacking threat. In both their full-backs, the front four and half of the defensive pivot they field players who work best moving forwards and making play. Particularly interesting is how they're full-backs and wingers are happy to interchange overlapping and underlapping, creating a fluid threat on the wings. Particularly special is Ola Jansing in the number 10 role, dropping into the right spaces and fleet of foot, he makes breaking the lines and cutting through the opposition defence look simple.
Bosham Athletic
Bosham were not a successful side, ever. Based in a posh town on the coast, they were barely ahead of the nearby amateur club who couldn't get off the foot of the fourth tier. They rolled up and down between the second and fourth tier, never really troubling anyone. In 1976 this began to turn around, as controversial property mogul Desmond Bentham snapped the club up on the cheap as they dipped back into the third tier. He assembled the most expensive squad ever seen in the third tier, going straight back up. He made bones of the fact that he had intentions of getting them into the Super League, winning silverware. And, for a while, these remained just intentions. Bosham repeatedly missed promotion, and he seemed to lose interest in the side. They missed promotion by a total of 1, 2, 4 and 1 point between 1980 and 1983, and by 1983 he was ploughing less and less money into the side. Then, in 1984 they won the second tier and the Professional's Trophy. Since then, they've gone from strength to strength, breaking into the top half in both of their seasons.
Bosham are now acknowledged to have possibly the strongest squad in the league, and under Alberda they have a manager who has finally managed to craft talented individuals into a system. The back four sit flat and consist of four very young and very talented players in (L-R) Wortham, Newton, Mac Reachtain and Guzzi. Going forward their system morphs into a 3-3-4, with one full-back pushing into a midfield block, and the wingers and two strikers moving fluidly to disrupt the opposition defense. With their stadium now much expanded, they have the finance and audience to kick on and potentially net their first big silverware.
Tilbury Scuttlers
And what becomes of the Scuttlers? They were once the best in the land, winning 5 titles on the bounce between 1967 and 1972. They produced a seemingly endless stream of local talent, managed by the innovative Matthias Kluivert, who introduced the concepts of the false nine, inverted wingers and counter-pressing to Hwiccemark with devastating effect. For years they were untouchable, collecting over a hundred points in three seasons, a feat that never has, and now never will, be matched. Since their last league title, however, they've hit decline. Initially quite gently, the 1977/78 and 1979/80 seasons produced title challenges, but the fall from grace became far more dramatic when they were relegated for the first time in 1981, and again in 1983. This proud club lacks the big stadium to compete at the very top, but a renovated youth academy and an expanded Super League they hope will provide some stability.
Currently the Scuttlers set up largely to frustrate, sitting back and pressing once in their own half. Currently they have two full-backs capable of raiding down the outside, but due to the lack of a better anchor at the base of midfield they're forced to sit back more often than not. The desire to play a high line and press further up is also constrained by goalkeeper Devereux, who lacks the skill set to sweep up behind. Young creative midfielders Brendan Pang and Titus Villalobos provide some quality in the middle, and Knutsson provides some inspiration from the left-wing. Overall, Scuttlers system is attempting to evolve towards greater attacking flair, but the personal aren't quite there yet.
Carewton Stannary
Stannary are one of the few clubs that not only admit to having a defensive identity, but are deeply proud of it. The whole ethos of the club seems orientated towards defence. The club has frequently fielded teams rich in no-nonsense centre-halves and tactically disciplined midfielders and full-backs. They won three league titles and a Federal Cup in the 1970s by pioneering low-block zonal defence, and scoring only if they had to. Not only that, but being a club supported by the highly unionised local tin mining and processing workforce they've always prided a collective team spirit over individual talent. The clubs ultras and firms reflect this, providing a breeding ground of recruitment for various hardline Marxist-Leninist groups.
All of this seems set to change, however. At the start of the season, progressive manager Jurre Parker has taken over the side and seems intent on shifting their identity. Parker made his name managing Racing Clube de Brehat to an impressive league title in the second division last term, playing a direct, yet fluid football. The current squad has some way to go before being adapted to his liking, with it being heavy on older players, shallow in depth and having a surfeit of more defensive players. Starting the season he'll be playing 4-5-1, with one full-back pushing up to aid attacks and the other holding in a block of 3 at the back. Until more players can be bought in, a slightly more rigid counter-attacking style will prevail. Stannary have no intentions of pushing for the top this term, but they'll hope the transition to being a top side once again can begin here.
Carewton Longshanks
Longshanks, a team that could best be described as languid. They exist in opposition to cross town rivals Stannary. Where Stannary take great pride in a defensive identity, the Longshanks have always been a team that prioritizes the slick. Stannary are working class, Longshanks more well-heeled. Stannary prize the collective, Longshanks the individual. Stannary brag about their trophy haul, Longshanks the joy of their footballing style. Stannary are Marxist-Leninist, Longshanks the bourgeois centre-right. All the fissures in one city boiled down to football. For a long time the Longshanks have ceded bragging rights, their long stay in the second tier has seen them finish below Stannary in every season since 1969. But, on their way back up, Longshanks are confident of reestablishing themselves in the big time and overhauling their cross town rivals.
Manager Thompkins arrived in 1984, overseeing a promotion in '85, and surival and a run to the Federal cup final in 1986. Thompkins followed in Longshanks tradition of passing football, implementing a slick 4-3-3 system. This system gains its attacking flair from midfield, rather than the full-backs. The deep lying Toppin is one of the best playmakers in the league, and Van Alphen is one of the best young box to box midfielders around. Further forward and wingers Titcomb and Savory provide plenty of attacking intent, both able to mix taking the ball wide with cutting in. What they do best is intricate passing moves with no. 10 Van Hassel and pacey centre-forward Rawlinson, allowing fluid movement across a front four. The main issue for the Longshanks is a dearth of crossing, or strong long passes from the midfield, meaning their attacks can often look a bit one-note. Adding quality in the no. 10 position and improving Van Alphen's passing are key priorities for this exciting, yet flawed, side.
Svaelaborg
Svaelborg were long stuck in Friskney Rover's shadow. Representing a less fashionable bit of town, way behind in the trophy stakes, they always looked small fry by comparison. Now, however, they've been presented with an opportunity to establish themselves in the first tier of Hwicce football. Previous excursions at such a level have always felt daring, special and ultimately temporary. This is a side that have never won any major silverware, and who spent a decade out of the top flight previously, and who survived narrowly last season despite their atrocious goal difference. This season then will give them opportunity to prove their big hitters, and with a decently sized stadium and a stable squad they look more than capable of staying up and establishing themselves.
Svaelaborg's system is one previously set up to be largely defensive, 3 centre-backs and wing-back who were very keen to come back on the defense. In addition, their two wingers track back, often to the point of turning the 3-4-3 to a 7-2-1, proving incredibly hard to break down. However, they seem to be moving to give the wing-backs more license to roam forward, providing more width and letting the wingers wreak havoc. Ultimately, they're at their best moving fast on the counter attack, and may well prove more successful against fellow mid-table than the elites or paupers of the league.
Racing Clube De Brehat
Brehat are an up and down sort of club. In their history they've won the second tier three times, and despite length stays in the top tier have never bagged an elite level trophy. As a side they were frequently viewed as having a 'defense, but make it sexy' attitude, keeping players back and being highly skilled in defending 1-0 leads effortlessly. Now, however, it's been all change for this club. After a length stay in the lower tiers, manager Debbie Parker has put them into a slick style of play, passing their way through teams, developing talents and shooting their way back to the top. Winning the third tier in 1984 was followed up by a further re-build and winning the second tier by 21 points last season playing intricate, passing football. Many observers assumed such a strategy would fail in that division, but Brehat put on the slickest football seen at that level to win the division. Key midfielder Darnell Kitzmiller left to warm the bench at Bosham Athletic, as did Renee Orwig at Brysborg Metro, however Brehat will hope the rest of the squad can scale similar heights.
The 3-5-2 system that took apart the second tier remains, with a couple of players lost as outlined. Parker likes her midfield three to stay compact and help form passing triangles to move through oppositions, with strikers who know how to stick it in the onion bag and wing-backs bombing on there's plenty of options for their slick maneuvers. The key issue will be having squad players, who were perfectly serviceable at National 1 level, replacing their key players from last season. Moreover, Parker's exploits have been so widely appreciated that they may struggle to keep her from leaving for a bigger club, or the national team given Jacquette's current struggles.
Torksey West End
West End are a small club, but with big history. Despite a similar fanbase to cross town Torksey East End, they boast a lot more on the pitch success, having won 2 Federal Cups and a record three Professional Trophy's. Despite having yo-yoed between the first and second tier they also have a reputation for trying to go on the front foot and win games. Their attacking football remains slightly outdated, a lot of long-diagonal balls and little in the way of smooth attacking play, West End are somewhat rough and ready. With promotion coming at the end of last season they'll be hoping to establish themselves with a top half finish.
West End look defensive with their 5-2-3, but the wing backs have plenty of license to push forward given their strong back line. The real strength comes in the front three, used to receiving long balls they like to knock it down and make use of each other. In Streetman and Jacobs they have two exception wide players, and Noel seems to be getting the very best out of Rawlinson in combination with the other two for goals
Torksey East End
Ever jealous of their cross town rivals, East End have to make do with a nicer stadium, better fans and the record for the most second tier titles. Very much a yo-yo club, East End were in the process of being promoted or relegated in every season between 1980 and 1985. The expanded format of the first tier may well allow them to cast off their reputation and become an established first tier club. Last season saw them finish third in the then second tier, putting them 13th out of all clubs now in this league, one might suggest they have the quality to see them through. However, fans remain unconvinced by Gorman and the team lacks quality in the middle of the park.
East Cape's system tries to make sense of their unbalanced squad, the ball goes long from a fairly solid looking backline to a zippy forward line of four. However, their midfield is weak, generally sitting as a 2 in the middle of the park to prevent the counter. Often, if more possession is required, cultured centre-back Gibb will push forward as the full-backs tuck in for a back three. Ultimately this side has a lot of potential, but it seems obvious that a new centre-mid and a keeper who doesn't require the back four to sit back as much will be needed to allow them to kick on.
Wedgebury Occident
Wedgebury have managed a meteoric rise in recent years, coming up into the Super League having been a side to yo-yo between the third and second tier. Ironically for Occident, their first season let them hit a level that they have never hit before, winning the Federal Cup in its inaugural 1960-61 season. One often gets the impression that their fans do not care too much. Wedgebury is one of the trendier areas of Longborth, and their fanbase seems to consist of hipsters, their rivals often say that they're playing at being football fans rather than actual football fans. Accordingly, a series of hapless managers have been given fairly free reign by a fanbase with more interest in coming up with creating chants and tifos than having a side that wins.
Wedgebury's system may seem slightly suicidal given their relatively weak squad, they play proper 4-3-3, with the wingers coming back on defense when required. Which, this season, will be often. Pinkley dictates play from the base of midfield, and wingers Rochin and Solares provide plenty of creativity. They both were very effective dribblers in the second tier, and will need to perform at their best for the entire season in order to keep their side up. If Occident go down, these two, Pinkley and centre-backs Audley and Hall will likely get snapped up by teams up the league should Occident fail to bring around a great escape.
Cwlen Cymru
Cwlen Cymru have been described by management consultants as getting the most value out of their budget of any team in Hwiccemark. The small market town, located on the welsh-speaking island of Glyndau, have frequently punched above their weight, having had a five year stay in the early 80s in the top flight despite having the budget of a 3rd division side. This looks particularly strong when compared to their local rivals Anglo Cwlen, who have languished between the second and third tiers. This success has come in part due to the decade long reign of Tammy Ryder, a flexbile tactician and remarkable motivator, although she would say the community nature of the club and tight knit support has spurred them on.
Cwlen adapt their approach to the opponent, and won't be afraid to take the game to other teams in the bottom half of the table. However, they're game in the top-flight depends on a tight 5 person defensive unit, centred around the sturdy figure of Alan Berg. Going forward and Keever and Saban are two very traditional wingers, and are very good and whipping in crosses and driving down the outside. It's a less flashy system than many deploy in the top-flight, but with quality from set pieces and a defensive unit that would willingly run through walls, they remain an exciting watch and have every chance of staying up.
Fishguard FC
Fishguard are a team with a history of First Division football. This history has seen them participate in the top-flight for four whole seasons, and each time they have been relegated. In all fairness this was years ago, in the interim they've been bobbing about between the second and third tiers, perfectly respectable for what is a small fishing town. The Cod army managed to sneak in under the wire last season, promoted over Holsteinborg on goal difference they now have their best ever chance to make it as a first tier club. Unfortunately, they have the resources of a third tier club and look the most nailed on candidate for relegation.
Koby Lundqvist has his work cut out given the nature of his side, only centre-forward Paull and centre-back Campbell Paulson really have anything resembling the quality to operate at this level. This has led to the creation of one of the most depressingly, uniquely, defensive systems ever seen in Hwiccemark. This system has 6 defenders, including 4 centre-backs, just one proper midfielder and three pacy, if erratic, forwards. As one could imagine, this system will seek to bypass midfield entirely, always going long. Centre-back Paulson will be tasked with pushing into midfield to try and augment it slightly, and the winger will drop back to aid defensive duties. If this pays off, it would mark one of the most remarkable survivals the Super League has seen.
Sparta Longborth
Sparta Longborth count themselves somewhat lucky to be here. Actually, they don't, but everyone else does. They were the only team promoted directly from the third tier to the first, due to complicated legal wrangling between the Super league and the National league that we shan't go into. In terms of budget and fan base they're of Super League quality, and they managed a 7 year run in the first tier in the 70s, as well as their 1971/72 Federal Cup triumph. Their fans have a slightly dichotomous reputation. On the one hand, they sing for the full 90, are wickedly funny and turn up regardless of how poor results are. On the other hand, the hooligan element is large, although surprisingly clubbable and oddly apolitical.
Sparta deploy an interesting system, with midfield anchor Vanessa Wilkenson deployed to either mark out attacking midfielders out of the game, and to take up an interestingly free role in setting up the side's press. The rest of the midfield is fairly functional, with the forward two, Hall and Brotherton, providing much of what is exciting about this side. The side is a young one, and under Asjses they play high tempo football, trying to force their way forward very quickly. Given their youth and slight lack of quality they can often find themselves on the wrong side of thrashings, but they also have the sort of style to pick up the occasionally blindingly good result. We might expect them to survive this season, and they might be a strong tip for a cup run.
