Hi All,

Long time no post I know. I've been here most every day still though just lurking. The real reason I don't often post is I don't really feel I have anything extra to add that you lot haven't already expertly provided opinion on.

Anyway to my dilemna, this is footy controversy but not premier league stuff just mere local league stuff.

I joined a local team (3rd grade and there are only 3 grades) this year after having not played for 5 seasons. The lads in my team are mostly english, late 30's early 40's and blloody good players all round. This team has won the league 5 out of 7 years. I am a (bad) striker somewhat still out of shape after 5 yrs out of the game. The dilemna I have is this out of 5 games that we have played (we are undefeated) I have been a sub in 3.

Last week we played a lowly team, we were 3-0 at HT and I was subbed. I was very pissed of at this and let my feelings known as:

a. We were short of players and had to use fill ins from the over 35's as they had a bye this week. The fill in's got a full game and I was subbed.

b. 2 weeks ago when I had the flu, I rang the manager to tell him I couldn't make the game as I'd been in bed for 2 days with the flu. He told me he needed me as we were short that night. So I played the full 90 mins with flu, couldn't talk after the game and consequently spent the next 2 days in bed with the flu.

c. The only games I've not been subbed is when we habe had the bare 11.

After being subbed a had a word with the captain who told me "If you don't like it you can "fuck off". "I don't need people giving me a hard time when I have decisions to make"

Now I know I'm not the best player the team has but I have scored a goal and set a couple up this season so i'm not terrible just a bit out of shape. Is football not a team game? I put myself out for the good of the team and I'm never going to regain my fitness playing 20 mins here, 40 mins there.

Should I

a: Speak with the manager and tell hime all I want is a fair go, I'm prepared to do my all for the team but don't expect to be treated like shit for the trouble.

b: Say nothing and just turn up evry week hoping to get a run?

c: Tell the captain to fuck off back and walk from the team

d: Train my ass off running 5-10km a week 3-4 times a week and show the bassards I mean business

e: Tell them all to get knotted this is 3rd division and not the EPL get over yourselves- I'm off

Option e is a last resort as I am really enjoying the time I'm having on the pitch and do not want to give up.

Look forward to your opinions.

HOWAY THE LADS!!!

-- Anonymous, May 05, 2002

Answers

The "professional" response is (d), Nige. Personally I'd opt for (c), telling him that Aussies know **** all about football as I went!

-- Anonymous, May 05, 2002

Clear off somewhere with a supermodel and tell them to stuff it. I know I would.

If you're enjoying the game then you know d) is the answer anyway don't you?

-- Anonymous, May 05, 2002

Nigel, are you in Sydney? If so then ToonDownUnder may be seeking fresh blood following my departure. The only qualifications to play are that you own a Black and White shirt (and even that`s negotiable if you`re willing to borrow one) and are willing to go to the pub afterwards. It`s only 5-a-side but it`s a laugh. On the down-side don`t expect to be on the winning side too often.... What about it Sydney clique, are you entering the competition again?

-- Anonymous, May 05, 2002

By the way, I would have thought D was the absolute last resort (though this may go some way towards explaining TDUs poor results!)

-- Anonymous, May 05, 2002

Cheers for the responses,

Jacko, I'm Aussie meself and the captain and manager are english, maybe telling him Aussies know fuck all about football would make me look a little silly!!!

Jonno cheers I know d is the most professional option but also the option I don't have much time for, I work 5-6 days a week and play 5 a side on Wednesdays and go to the match on Fridays. Or maybe I am being soft or lazy or both! Oh yeah and where can I find this supermodel you speak of?

Al's Dodgy Knee, used to live in Sydney and own a wardrobe full of B & W shirts, only prob is I've moved north to Queensland about 4 years ago so maybe a bit far to travel. Must get down to Sydney though and meet the rest of the Sydney clique, only had the good fortune to meet Loony aka Seymour so far.

Thanks again for the responses

-- Anonymous, May 05, 2002

Nige, can you get a game with the over 35s?

-- Anonymous, May 05, 2002

Hi Gus,

How are you? No mate, did I look that old when we met ;-)?

I know it was about 2 years ago but..... No mate I'm 2 weeks away from 29 so 3rd grade it is. It really seems a lose-lose situation. Either lose face & feel humiliated at being subbed most weeks just to play or walk away, problem is I'm enjoying the time on the pitch.

I've got to confront this on Wednesday when I'll see all the lads at 5 a side...

-- Anonymous, May 05, 2002

Nige - as you're enjoying the playing time you are getting, my suggestion is say nowt. Keep the gob shut, get as fit as you are able, and show them you can do it on the pitch. That's the only way to get more playing time - anything else will create resentment one way or another.

Good luck bonny lad - let's know how things progress.

-- Anonymous, May 05, 2002

No mate, I just thought if you could get a game with the 35s, you would be able to drop down and get a game in the "Open" league!

-- Anonymous, May 05, 2002

Nige.

If your real dilema is just to play as much as possible for the pleasure of playing rather than winning then perhaps one of the lower teams might value your skills (or lack of) more than this team who win the league every year.

Isn't the best option to first of all carry out item C, then D, then return in a different coloured strip to help the lowly team stuff these bastards that don't appreciate someone climbing out of their death bed to turn out for them when they are desperate.

And hopefully in the lower team (Soon to be champions with a superfit Nige) you get 90 minutes when you want.

-- Anonymous, May 06, 2002