"Farewell to GOOCH" A GIANT OF A MAN "It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of Gary Smith aka "Gooch"who played for the Old Boys in the early years and maintained his friendship with the club and his association with his friends until the end. Known affectionately as Gooch he was signed on at the 17th. October 1986 at the GEC Social Club where he was enjoying a quiet drink or two. Jokingly he placed a cross by his signature claiming he was a footballer not a professor!! With his long, Viking locks and swarthy, unshaven visage Gooch cut a towering figure of 6 feet 4 inches in height and weighing in at 15 stone. He was the archetypal centre-half, powerful in the air , agile on the ground, relentless in the tackle, and a superb passer of the ball. A first team fixture Gooch was part of the great side that included Brian Knox, Dave Summers, Dave Coton, Andy Carmichael, McGarrity, Joe Murphy , Paul Davis, John Naughton, Kenny Smyth,Bali Singh,Rob Villette and Steve Lower. A stalwart of the OBs he went on to manage the 1st. team, and later became a fine Secretary retiring from the position in 1995 to assume joint 3rd. team manager.After retiring from playing and moving away from Coventry, he kept in touch attending club presentations and maintaining his close friendships.He was one of the "old school". He played football because he loved the game and played it fairly and sportingly giving 100%. He stuck with the club through thick and thin. He never considered moving from one club to another in search of cups and glory. He played with his friends, was happy to accept responsbility, went the extra mile with his beaming, happy smile! "   New signing, Tony O'Shea   Our clubhouse at Coventrians! Training at the Covents! Frankie with new recruits? Have a drink on me lads - the welcome at the bar!! SO SADLY WE LEAVE THE NORTHBROOK OUR HOME FOR MANY YEARS. A GREAT TIME WAS HAD BY ALL. IT WITNESSED OUR DEVELOPMENT, THREE TEAMS, SOCIALS, WEDDINGS, CHRISTENINGS AND ABOVE ALL FRIENDSHIPS WHICH WILL STAND THE TEST OF TIME. WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK SEAN MCNULTY FOR HIS GENEROSITY AND SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THE YEARS AND EQUALLY THANK ALL THE PLAYERS WHO JOINED US OVER THE NORTHBROOK YEARS WHO CONTRIBUTED TO MAKE THE NAME OF THE CLUB ONE THAT WAS RESPECTED.Now we look forward to a new era at the Coventrians................... The last game Dick and Dave Dave Jones bids farewell Davo's last ride!   The whistle blows!   THE SEASON- THE FUTURE It was a miracle that the club continued to exist let alone field two teams throughout the season. With the news only weeks before the season started that last year's first team managers would not after all be returning, the club hastily rallied round. Hurried meetings were held. phone lines were hot and decisions were made. Then managers were appointed and their hard work started. The well-oiled wheels of the Old Boys' spirit started turning in their traditional way. Ricky Smith and Paul davis stepped forward as managers and players started to appear and sign on. Davo as secretary had as usual continued to provide the organisation and stabilty which has been his hallmark over the years.And so the season started with optimism. Both teams started well.The spirit was fantastic, the hard work of the managers and committee was paying off. But it was not to be. In spite of battling against all the odds, the 1st. team has been relegated from the Premier. It took years to get there and had the team managed to win three more games it would have survived. Near the end of the season Ricky Smith had to move to Bristol and was replaced by Mark Hodgkins, another enthusiast with unflappable optimism. Hodgie managed to bring in some new players but in spite of all his effortsand dave Jones massive untiring support it was not to be; it was too late. Throughout the lads have in Hodgie's words, " done the club proud, fair play to them, they performed miracles." So now with the emphasis on youth, an area encouraged by Paul Davis the managerial optimist supreme with the reserves, we go forward to our new venue at the COVENTRIANS, more determined than ever to provide a quality football experience for all our members. We thank everyone for their efforts this year, the players, the managers and the committee. We look forward to seeing you all at the PRESENTATION on Friday June 15th. and when the new season starts in August at the Coventrians off Yelverton Road. " FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS WE HAVE POSTOPONED THE PRESENTATION UNTIL THE BEGINNING OF NEXT SEASON BY WHICH TIME ALL OF LAST SEASON'S TROPHIES WILL HOPEFULLY HAVE BEEN RETURNED BY THE TROPHY WINNERS !" WE APOLOGISE TO ALL OF YOU WHO WERE LOKKING FORWARD TO THE EVENING BUT REST ASSURED THE PRESNTATION WILL TAKE PLACE IN DUE COURSE.   Ricky Smith "Coundon Court Old Boys' FC would like to wish Ricky Smith and wife Jo all the best in their new life in Bristol. First-team manager Ricky has been an outstanding player for the club since he arrived in 2000. His footballing pedigree was always on display revealing an instinctive positional awareness, excellent timing, pinpoint passing accuracy and an uncanny ability to score vital goals from free kicks.Such unique qualities were matched by his enthusiasm and popularity among all who played with him. As a captain and manager he communicated his love for and knowledge of the game with a rare insight which earned enormous respect. Best of luck Tricky - you will be missed." 25th Annual Presentation Evening click for photos   "The Old Boys claim a glorious victory at the Ricoh"
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLUB,MANAGERS & PLAYERS ON REACHING THE FINAL OF THE COVENTRY CHARITY CUP FOR THE SECOND SUCCESSIVE SEASON. THIS FANTASTIC ACHIEVEMENT IS ALL THE MORE SATISFYING IN VIEW OF THE CHALLENGES THE CLUB HAS FACED THIS SEASON AT THE NORTHBROOK AND INDEED ALL THE MORE REWARDING IN THAT WE WILL BE THE FIRST ALLIANCE SIDE TO PLAY AT THE RICOH!!!!!!! SEE YOU ALL THERE ON WEDNESDAY 19TH.APRIL 2006 K.O. 7.30PM.

When the news broke that all our trophies bar one had been destroyed and lost forever in the arson attack back in May we were all devastated. They were our history, our heritage. More than anything they were a record of all the lads who achieved throughout our early struggling years who made our club what it is today. They were also valuable being silver and they had come from Coundon court itself! So it was heart-warming when stalwarts from the very original side stepped in and offered to donate new trophies. Players from the first teams Steve Jones, Steve Lower, Greg Murphy, Steve Taggart immediately stepped in with their contributions. Co-founder David Kershaw, ex-headmaster of the school made it clear that he wanted to contribute in a significant way and then the singer car owners club made a collection to buy a new singer cup. It will be a moving occasion therefore when the cups are presented at our 25th.Anniversary dinner in 2006 with all the names restored on the plinths and hopefully many of the very same players in attendance!! The trophies were supplied & engraved by the Coventry Trophy Centre in Coundon.
		click on images

AT LAST WE HAVE MANAGED TO OBTAIN A GENERATOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WELL DONE POP AND GREG!!!!!!!!!!!!! BRILLIANT LADS BOTH......

DAVE DRENNAN CLEARED!!

We didn’t know about it, the Alliance League didn’t know about it and dear DD didn’t either. It turns out that the complaints put in by Woodlands and Triumph to the league came from their knowledge of the Sunday League suspension list in which DD was listed for a sending off during the last Sunday game of last season when playing for London Road. And that’s where super-sleuth John Davenport, our Secretary comes into his own .He discovered that DD had not signed the official BCFA form accepting his ban but instead the club had signed it on his behalf, forging his signature and to all intents and purposes invalidating the form. Neither the OBs nor the League was contacted as DD had played in the Combination and not the Alliance. So the good news is that the BCFA, having read the club’s explanation and DD’s inspired letter of explanation too, have completely exonerated the club.
But doesn’t it make you question other clubs’ motives?

Dear Player ,

Welcome back to the new season and to those of you who have recently signed on
for the first time we hope you will enjoy the Old Boys’ 25th Year. Because of the destruction of the clubhouse we will be meeting at the Nugget on match days and go from there to either the First or reserve fixtures returning after matches.
All home fixtures will be played down at the Northbrook. Here we have arranged to share the expenses with JFK of hiring state-of-the-art Portakabins which provide both changing rooms for the two teams and referee with his assistants along with ample showers. As you can appreciate these fine facilities are costly. Consequently, your weekly contribution of £3.00 or £4.00 subs will not only contribute to the hire of this season-long accommodation and referee’s fees but also the regular bonus ball which provides a weekly prize to the lucky winner. It will also be vital to contribute to and sell the weekly blackout which will go towards the everyday running costs of such items as first aid kit, pitch marking, league & cup fees etc. Perhaps you could also encourage family members to have a go on the blackout too or even take a card to sell at work. If you know a rich sugar-daddy who could be interested in sponsorship then all the better!!!!
Perhaps this letter is unnecessary as so many of you have already indicated that you are happy with these arrangements and want to do whatever you can for your club.
The good news is course that in spite of the tragic arson attack we have picked ourselves up and got on with the job. We have signed on an excellent squad of experienced and young players who along with the arrival of Loz Cairns should be challenging for Honours not only in the Premier league but also in the numerous cups we have entered.
But so much depends on the financial stability of the club. Which means that every member and player must contribute every week and make that extra effort to ensure
that each of us plays a part not only on the pitch but also plays a part in ensuring that the club is successful financially.
AND DON’T FORGET TO CHECK THE WEBSITE DURING THE WEEK FOR MATCH REPORTS , PICTURES & MANAGERS’ COMMENTS.