Ethan Hoijord

‘Meeting the opposition’ – Colchester United F.C

Ahead of Tuesday night’s League Two encounter at the JobServe Community Stadium between Colchester United and Tranmere Rovers, I spoke to @TheLatestColU. They gave me an insight into all on and off pitch matters at The U’s whilst giving me their pre-match thoughts, amongst other subjects.

How long have you been a Colchester United fan and how did you first come across the club?

I’ve been a fan for as long as I can remember really. I’m 20 now and I’ve been going since around 2007. Unfortunately that season was the year after our highest league finish ever (10th in the Championship) and we got relegated, and I can’t remember much from that or following seasons either. My memories of Colchester United are really only clear from about 2009 onwards. 

The highest and lowest moments that stand out during that time?

Last season has got to be up there, an amazing run in the Carabao Cup knocking out 2 Premier League teams and being there for the club’s first ever trip to Old Trafford. It ended in disappointment losing in the playoff semi-finals, but overall it was successful and unfortunately it’s been downhill since then. I began by thinking the lowest point was being relegated from League One in 2016, but the last few months has seen us drop to 22nd in League Two with 10 games left and in the unlikely scenario we get relegated, that would be the club’s worst moment for 30 years and in my lifetime – the last time we found ourselves relegated to non league. 

Random fact about the club?

Colchester are one of only four clubs to win a trophy called the Watney Cup. The competition ran shortly between 1970 and 1973 and was played between the teams who had scored the most goals in the top four divisions of English football. The U’s beat West Brom on penalties and won the trophy in 1971 after a 4-4 draw.

What were your expectations going into the season and what are they now when the campaign’s coming to an end?

At the start of the season, the expectation of the fans and the players was to compete for the playoffs and hopefully go one better than last season and get promoted. Unfortunately since December we have gone on an abysmal run of form that has seen us drop from the edge of the playoffs to being dragged into a relegation battle with rivals Southend. It’s very disappointing to see our season go this way, with so many talented players unable to reach the levels of last season and I believe many still have the potential to play at the top of League Two at the very least. 

Who is the manager of Colchester United, how long has he been in this role and what are your thoughts on him?

Wayne Brown is currently the interim head coach and has been the boss for 7 games up until now following the departure of Steve Ball. I think it’s expected, but not necessarily favoured by the fans that he will be appointed permanently at some point, unless we continue to drop dangerously close to the relegation zone. A former player during one of our most successful seasons as a club in the Championship, I think Wayne is liked a lot more than the previous coach Steve Ball because he has more experience and has been more successful as a manager at non league and feeder club Maldon and Tiptree, but he still isn’t the ideal man that the fans want to see in charge.

Who owns the club and what are your thoughts on them?

Robbie Cowling is the owner and chairman. A successful businessman, his decisions to ensure the club stay alive during the pandemic and aims for the club to become sustainable for the future clearly have the best intentions financially for the club. However recently, and especially this season and the position we are currently in, he has received a lot of criticism for his footballing decisions. Many fans are frustrated with constant internal appointments and the hiring of a director of football – who was very disliked as a manager and contributed towards our relegation to League One 5 years ago. 

Your team’s danger men?

Being on a run of just 1 win in the last 20 games, it’s tough to pick out someone who will be a threat. And to add insult to injury, for the next few games two of our best performers last season are out on international duty with Callum Harriott with Guyana and Kwame Poku for Ghana’s B Team. I would’ve chosen Harriott if he was available. If I had to choose someone though then it would be Frank Nouble. His goalscoring record isn’t the best, but he is hard working and is often a handful for defenders. 

It was at Colchester United that Tranmere’s ‘Tequila’ chant was first sung, two years to the day funnily enough that this fixture will be played. Rovers won that game 2-0. If you can remember it, what were your thoughts on the performances of both sides and are you a fan of the chant?

I think I just about remember that game only because of the chant itself! After that a few fans tried to adopt it but didn’t last long. We had sung it a few years before for a player we had on loan from Portsmouth where they had created a song for him, but he didn’t play much and I don’t think it was heard again after that.

How do you see the game panning out? (Score prediction).

Everything points towards a comfortable Tranmere win, after losing to Port Vale at the weekend and failing to score against Grimsby and Salford City before that I can’t see us winning. The only hope we really have is that we are much better at home and it wasn’t that long ago we picked up a fortunate win over Carlisle. But I’ll be honest and unbiased and say a 2-0 win for Tranmere.

What eleven do you think your gaffer will select?

Unlike the previous few years where the club has stuck to a certain formation, since Wayne Brown has stepped in as interim head coach things have seemed to have become a little bit more flexible so it’s difficult to predict the lineup at the moment, especially during a bad run of form. But this is what I’m going to say, in a 4-2-3-1 formation: George – Welch-Hayes, Eastman, Smith, Clampin – Pell, Wiredu – Cowan-Hall, Brown, Senior – Nouble

Thoughts on Tranmere? The club in general.

I must admit, Tranmere are in a group of quite a few clubs that I don’t know a lot about. You’re clearly a big club for League Two and were very unfortunate to go down last season because of the circumstances. You do look like you could be on your way back to League One though where I’m sure your fans believe is where you belong! Best of luck for the rest of the season. 

Thoughts on Colchester United’s winter transfer business?

In the first team there were 4 incomings in January and 3 departures. The three of the two who left (Luke Norris and Luke Gambin) weren’t necessarily crucial players for us and the main motivation was probably to get some earners off the wage bill. The other was Cohen Bramall, who was probably our best player last season and sad to see him go to Lincoln. Two of the incomings have done well so far and both we had last season. Frank Nouble has returned as a striker this time (he was always on the wing before) and although not being a great goalscorer, is a signing that the club and fans needed during a tough period. Brendan Wiredu has joined permanently from Charlton after having a brief spell on loan at the start of last season and has arguably been our best player over the last couple of months. Loan signings Josh Doherty and Aramide Oteh on the other hand haven’t really hit the ground running, both are being used as backups at the moment.

Shamal George played for Tranmere, on a loan term deal, throughout the 2018/19 promotion season to League One. He now plays his football at the JobServe Community Stadium. Thoughts on him?

When he first came in back in the summer, everyone including him knew he would be second choice to Dean Gerken. But at a couple of points during the season Dean has picked up injuries and has given Shamal a chance to prove himself. He has done very well in those games and it looks like he will be number 1 for the remainder of the season. During this bad run of form, he has been one of the few players who has impressed. Both keepers I think have a mistake in them and aren’t the best at handling but Shamal is younger and his distribution is much better than Gerken so he looks a good prospect.

Shamal George played a part in Tranmere’s promotion to League One in the 2018/19 campaign, he’s now impressing in Essex.

Thank you very much for reading,

Stay safe,

Ethan Hoijord

Fin Collins Q+A

The Coronavirus outbreak has made football change, at all levels. However, below professional level it has been brought to a halt completely. Thus, I decided to talk to Heswall reserves goalkeeper and my good friend Fin Collins about how this period of time has affected him personally as he aims to progress further at a young age.

He first realised that he had some level of talent after joining a soccer school before he moved on to play for a team at Junior level, the passion grew on the primary school playing fields. ‘I’ve been playing since I was around 8 which is when I realised at primary school that it was a fun position to play as well as a challenging position which made me want to work hard to improve. The first time I ever played in goal properly was at a soccer school, where I was told I had some real ability and could make it somewhere if I was to work hard which led to me playing for a local side called JFC Greasby’.

This talent was brought to his attention further when he was told to move to a team full of players of a better standard. ‘I started at Greasby FC when there were 2 teams as the amount of players there was and due to them not knowing my real skill I was put in the B team for the first season and a half but after ended up in the A team which at the time felt like a massive achievement’.

To make it in football you’ve got to be willing to place all your time into the game at a young age, playing for only one team as well as playing on the school fields isn’t enough to get you scouted in most cases. Thus, Fin decided to increase his workload and play for another team. His talent was again noticed as he received many trophies. ‘After the few seasons at JFC greasby, a Sunday team called west Kirby panthers decided to ask me to play on a Sunday as I was already playing on a Saturday meaning I would be playing both days and training twice as much. I took up on the offer and stayed there for 2 seasons winning many awards throughout the way and gaining mass experience at the clubs I was playing for’.

However, football clubs at a junior level run a risk of folding for several different reasons and upon many different circumstances. This brings in many challenges though as young men and women love playing for a team as it improves their mental and physical wellbeing, I noticed that myself after my team folded. This chance was one that Fin relished though as he joined another team who improved him further with players that he knew well. ‘After West Kirby sadly folded, I spent a season at Upton fc which was my only season there and last season for JFC Greasby, at this time with the tight group that had formed throughout the years at greasby we ended up going from greasby under 16s to heswall U18s which was a massive step up for me as well as the players which made me feel great achievement as the club had amazing facilities as well as a great chairman and reserves and first team meaning I’d have a place to go if I was good enough in the years to come’.

Was there a time in which he felt like his hard work paid off? ‘After one season had gone at Heswall I had luckily proved my worth and ended up playing a few games for the first and reserves at the young age of 16 which was a great achievement to me and made me feel like my hard work was paying off as I was also picking up many man of the match awards’. 

Ashville and Cammel Lairds are two Merseyside clubs who play a great part in taking youngsters of great footballing ability in, Fin realised this and played for both teams at reserve level. ‘After the one season at Ashville I ended up leaving and joining cammel lairds U21s which was a very big step up for me as I was only 17 at the time, however this brings us up to the current day and due to the current situations I had only played 2 games up to date’. 

It takes a lot of hard work to get to the level that he’s currently on, it’s also a process which he loves as he loves playing regularly and seeing strikers emotions go from excited to gutted. Being a keeper improves him mentally, making him happy like it does with a lot of others. ‘I love being on the net and it genuinely feels like a happy place to me and I just feel in the zone when I’m there’.

But what is the goal that he is chasing through this work? It’s fun but there’s also a lifelong plan. ‘I have many long term goals, some more realistic than others, my first one has to be the most unrealistic which is to one day play at a low tier professional level in football and some of my others contain playing at a high level of the non professional leagues if it doesn’t work out but I always want to be playing football regardless of levels if I don’t make it’. 

Fin enjoyed playing at great grounds also, this has made him realise how important it is to play on the best of surfaces. ‘The best ground I’ve played on has to be camp nou which I was lucky enough to play on at the age of 14 back in 2016 in a tournament where I also played on the training camp of barcelona. The top 3 have to be camp nou, then Barcelona’s training ground, then prenton park. Finally, I believe that the turf you play on is incredibly important as a goalkeeper as if there are bobbles on the pitch it could affect a save or anything in that matter, a pass back or anything’. 

The lockdowns have brought his time on the pitch to a halt. However, the last game that he played in was one which he helped his team win against good opposition. ‘The last game I played was for Heswall reserves against ashville reserves where we won 2-0. i believe my performance personally was good and I did everything I possibly could to keep the clean sheet’.

The games have been brought to a halt although his ability to work and train hard hasn’t as he puts his body through training sessions away from his team. ‘I have been doing some training over the lockdowns, however it isn’t as much as I believe I should be doing, I’ve been keeping my goalkeeping practise up with doing drills as well as going to the park and training with friends’.

Throughout the hours training though, there has been a sense of annoyance as the games can’t come quick enough. ‘Of course with these breaks throughout the season it has been extremely annoying, however I am more than happy to be starting again extremely soon and getting back to the levels I should be. Obviously it has been difficult not playing or training as it is something I love doing, however it is making me excited to get back to it’.

Going into these games though, there is also another set of emotions as he doesn’t want to put his good work to waste. ‘Obviously with not playing any legitimate games in the past 3 months I will have a slight amount of an anxiety going through my head, however I know what I am doing and what needs to be done so as soon as I am back in my zone of playing I believe I should be back to full skill level in little to no time. I also have a massive amount of excitement to get back to it and just playing games frequently again’. 

Fin’s pre-season games start at the end of this month, the season starting in early June. I’ll be in attendance, at Gayton Park and other local non-league grounds, watching him and Heswall who I have been invited to do some media work for. This is a club which we both have great affection for as they have given us both a great chance of progressing. Thus, to finish our conversation I asked him to give his thoughts on Heswall F.C. ‘The club as a whole is quality, great facilities and great staff and I can’t thank the first team manager,Andy, and the reserve manager, Nathan and of course my current manager and the man who has taught me everything I know Rob Davies. I believe the club will have massive success in the upcoming years also and have loved playing for them since day one’.

Fin, in goal at the Nou Camp during his time playing for Greasby. He is now sponsored by Roman Goalkeeping who provide him with great sets of gloves. On a personal level, I can’t wait to see where his journey takes him.

Thank you very much for reading,

Stay safe,

Ethan Hoijord

A Rovers fan in Ghana? Yes and his name’s Idrissu.

I spoke to Idrissu Ismael, a Rovers fan from Ghana who sees his name sit on a flag of his nation in the Kop to see when, why and how he became a Tranmere supporter. 

His story is one that has surprised many people throughout the course of this campaign, as at first people were questionable of whether his social media account was real or not. Nowadays, through further media interaction, we know he’s definitely real. This has been celebrated by the owners sending shirts to him and others setting up a fundraiser to bring him to Merseyside.

‘I started following Tranmere with a passion during last season, I remember we weren’t good at the start of that campaign. However, we were doing well towards the end. I thought that, with the way we were playing, we would’ve escaped relegation. I was praying for them to avoid the drop because when they started winning I was happy and excited and wanted to see them win even more’.

Idrissu has a passion for the sport away from Rovers as well, he’s a footballer and places many of his pictures up for people (now) across the globe to see on his social media.

‘I’m a football player, I met a Tranmere fan on Instagram and we talked. I told him how happy I will be if he could help with linking me to the club. My lifelong dream is to play at Prenton Park, hopefully at a professional level for the first team’.

Nicola Palios has since tweeted that it wouldn’t be possible for him to play for Tranmere. I’ve lost the reason why, if I was to take a guess it may be to do with visa issues etc. However, fans who have placed money on the fundraiser to get him over here have also said that his side should come over to the Wirral so Idrissu’s dream of playing at Prenton Park can be achieved.

Speaking of players characteristics that he admires, he says that he’s impressed by Scott Davies’ leadership qualities. ‘He’s an angel in the team, he has to serve the club for a long time and I hope he pursues a coaching career once he retires from his current role and one day becomes the team’s goalkeeping coach’. 

I said that the experienced keeper has a coaching school, to which he replied ‘that’s great, hopefully it grows as he begins to focus on it more and more. I bet young keepers in the area of clubs he has played for will be intrigued and excited to be coached by him’.

Our conversation finished by talking about last season’s ‘demotion’ and his hopes for the remainder of the season. ‘The decision made by the FA hurts me until this day but I think that we can turn that around by achieving promotion this season. The current squad is packed full of quality’.

Idrissu, doing what he does best, playing football on the streets and fields of Accra, Ghana.

‘Meeting the opposition’ – Exeter City F.C

I spoke to an Exeter City supporter, Jamie @jdscribble, about all things Grecians and Rovers ahead of this weekend’s League Two encounter at Prenton Park. Gain more information about the two clubs through information, opinions and a fact which puts a woeful kit on display throughout this Q+A. 

How long have you been an Exeter fan and how did you first come across the club?

I’ve been a fan since I was eight, so just over a decade, when my friend introduced me to the club and I’ve been hooked ever since. I couldn’t imagine supporting anyone else!

The highest and lowest moments that stand out across that time?

As you probably know with Tranmere it’s always a roller-coaster ride but that’s just part of the parcel supporting a lower league club. However, without a doubt my best moments are the three playoff semi final wins and to be honest I still don’t know how we didn’t go up in 2016/17 which I believe was our best opportunity to win at Wembley especially in recent years. Any win vs Argyle is also right up there.

Random fact about the club?

Our kit for the 1992 season was voted the worst in EFL history.

What were your expectations coming into the season and what are they now the campaign’s coming to a finish?

As it often does it started really well but somehow we managed to fall away but I’ll admit I’m happy how it’s going with most of the young lads impressing such as Joel Randell and Josh Key. I’ve resigned myself that we’ll get a playoff place as I don’t think we’ve been consistent enough in all areas of the pitch especially at the back but having said that we have plenty of games in hand plus plenty of firepower up top so who knows what could happen before the end of the season. However, plenty of sides above us are better equipped.

The former Grecians centre half, Matt Taylor, now manages the club. How long has he been in this role and what are your thoughts on him?

Taylor has been in charge for the last 3 seasons and he’s done well. He knows the club and knows what the fans expect plus he plays  an exciting style of football but he’s still relatively new to the managerial venture and I’m certain he’ll continue to improve.

Exeter City is owned and ran by the fans themselves, thoughts on this?

It’s been well documented over the years that we are owned by the fans (AKA The Supporters Trust) who continue to put the club first and invest very shrewdly over the last few years improving the pitch and little by little improving the playing squad and more notable our academy which is due more renovations thanks to our massive transfer windfall. Just this week, they announced funds for a new electric scoreboard but long story short I think we’re in good financial shape for the coming years.

Who should the Rovers defence be keeping a careful eye on?

Our star men this season have been Matt Jay who has scored 17 goals this campaign and has been really clever with his link up play bringing others into play. He balances his style of play well with the pace he possesses. 

Josh Key is another one of our young starlets who’s improving game by game. He’s quick, strong, solid defensively and good on the ball with a good cross on him, basically everything you want in a right back. Ryan Bowman is up there as well, he’s got a knack for crucial goals and has 15 for the season and uses his physicality to bully defenders.

The reverse fixture was crazy, it finished in a 5-0 victory for Taylor’s men! Thoughts on that game?

I definitely wasn’t expecting the game to end the way it did, especially as Tranmere had a decent record at sjp prior to that one with both sides playing good stuff. I just thought we wanted it more and we were ultimately more clinical.

From a Tranmere fan’s perspective, I hope the upcoming encounter has a completely different result. How do you see the game panning out?

I’m not going to lie. I would love a repeat of the game at sjp but we know Tranmere are very strong at home and will be hungry following Wednesday’s draw and the Wembley defeat on Sunday. Both sides are in decent form of late and from what I’ve seen thus far both have been very attack heavy so I’m hoping that it’ll be an open game. To be honest, I can see it going one way in a win for the SWA given we haven’t won at Prenton Park for 6 years.

What eleven do you think the visiting gaffer will select?

Matt usually likes to keep us guessing on the team selection, he’ll set up with either 532 or 442 formation though.

Thoughts on Tranmere? The club in general.

Tranmere are a very good team, who are usually well organised and very hard to break down. They’re also somewhat of a big fish In the lower leagues with great support and have just gone from strength to strength this campaign and are my favourites for promotion.

The Rovers and the Grecians are both aiming for promotion this season and the business done in the January transfer window may prove pivotal to this. Thoughts on Exeter’s winter transfers? Sam Stubbs was one of the names brought in.

January was a very quiet window with Sam Stubbs a much needed signing as we’ve struggled defensively throughout the season, but I think we’ll see more of him next season as he returns from injury soon. However, if he’s anything like his dad I’m sure he’s worth the wait. Jokull Andreasson has been a welcome addition. He’s got a great personality, commands his box well and is a great shot stopper who has a bright future in the game and I really hope he comes back next season. Robbie Willmot joined on deadline day from Newport, he’s looked impressive so far.

Jake Caprice, one of Tranmere’s promotion winners from this league in 2019, now plays his football at St James Park. What’s he been like since his arrival?

Caprice has been in out of the side and if I’m honest he’s been hit and miss. There has been times that he’s looked promising though, hopefully he improves and turns into the player I think he can be on a regular basis.

Thank you very much for reading,

Rovers need to win this game but it’ll be very closely contested,

Stay safe,

Ethan Hoijord

Grimsby Town F.C – Opinions on the starting eleven, from a fan.

As football fans we all know how important the thoughts of other fans, if they’re being unbiased of course, are as stats sometimes don’t tell the true story. Grimsby Town are Tranmere’s next opponents thus I decided to get the thoughts on each player from a predicted starting eleven that my Mariners supporting friend gave me.

James McKeown

He’s been at the club for years and years and has always been a good shot stopper with the ability of pulling off some stupendous saves. However, he does have his faults and this season he has been particularly below form with several mistakes leading directly to goals, some of these errors are laughable such as against Carlisle at home when he passed the ball into his own net when under no pressure at all. Mckeown’s recently lost his place to Jake Eastwood who is now injured so we need him to quickly step up and get back to his best.

Luke Hendrie

A reliable sort, he is versatile and can play anywhere at the back. He is steady and consistent, I think his performances have slightly regressed this season which is to be expected I suppose in a relegation battling team but he is one of the very few players you would expect to find another football league team should he leave us this summer.

Elliott Hewitt

When we signed him we got told by Notts County fans he was decent in Centre mid but awful in full back, but for us he has looked much better in full back than centre mid! Lately he has been playing in Centre back and he looks far more comfortable there than he has anywhere else so maybe he has found his new position and he is our best centre back at the club in my opinion when that isn’t even his natural position!

Rollin Menayese

At first he struggled and looked like an accident waiting to happen but his performances alongside Hewitt in Centre back have picked up and he looks more than capable now, he is still young so I hope there is more to come.

Left back

Well, as I said it depends on fitness. Could be any of 3, Habergham who is my preferred option, he is steady, not spectacular but when fit he is our best option. Bunney who is also injured and I don’t rate him unfortunately, he struggles defensively and on the ball he gives it away far too many times. Bunney has previously played higher up so there may be a better player in there somewhere. Clifton will play in left back if Habergham and Bunney are unavailable, he isn’t even a left back but I think he has played everywhere for us, he’s not the best player ever but he does have a good engine and puts in 100% effort.

Filipe Morais

No doubt about it, when on form, his crossing is something else! He is one of those wingers who just likes to get the ball into the box! However he is fading, he is mid 30s and his best days are behind him but I still feel he can offer something on his day.

Giles Coke

I think Giles has been slightly better than I expected him to be, look at his career since leaving Sheffield Wednesday and he looked very underwhelming but I feel since he has been here he has tightened up the midfield and made us more competitive, but is it enough to keep us up? Probably not.

Jay Matete

When he signed he was our main threat from midfield, his driving runs being our main attacking threat. However, recently he hasn’t been as involved in games as previous. Hopefully he can step up his performances again as we need him to if we stand any slim chance of survival.

Julien Lamy

Certainly our main attacking threat, signed after the January transfer window by Hurst and was certainly a gamble. So far a gamble is what is paying off, he is not afraid of taking on his man and getting balls into the box, although his fitness may be slightly lacking as he always seems to be the first man to be hauled off much to the teams detriment.

Lenell John Lewis

Ahh the good old shop, strong and can hold the ball up. He puts himself about and he is a nuisance for the defenders. I think he is one of the better January signings, he is already under contract next season so if the worst comes to the worst then we know we have a decent striker who can offer something next season in the National League.

James Hanson

He is perhaps too similar to John Lewis which is good as he does offer something when he partners John Lewis up top. However, as much as they both put themselves about and are a nuisance for defenders to handle they are too similar so there isn’t much variety up top, nobody to run behind, nobody to hang on the shoulder of the last man, no goal poacher etc.

John Lewis? Ahh the good old shop. He’s strong and can hold the ball up, a nuisance for defenders. 

Thank you very much for reading,

Although Grimsby do sit at the bottom end of the table they’re certainly capable of causing a problem or two on Wednesday night,

Ethan Hoijord

Alex Hay – Blossom Skills.

I put my interview with former Rovers forward Alex Hay, into words. He has recently started up a football coaching school called Blossom Skills, so I asked him what he believed was important to get out of the sessions and how those interested could get in touch. 

What were your initial thoughts when you wanted to start Blossom Skills up and when did this idea first pop into your head?

I think it’s always been in the background of my mind. 

There were a lot of people asking but whilst I’ve been doing so much scouting I just didn’t have the freedom of time to start coaching as well. Then all of a sudden, with issues that began with Fylde, I had more time spare. Obviously, I wanted to stay in football and do something in the game and this seemed like a great idea to do that. 

I looked at ways to start it all up and there were quite a few people interested. Once you get the first done, word gets round and everything starts from there. It’s also not about making the next ‘superstar’, obviously some of the kids will have aspirations of that but it’s more about making them more socially able. I just find football a very sociable thing to be able to do. I want my sessions to help people socially, even if I’m teaching them how to kick a ball five or ten yards, to take the skills into the school playground or anywhere in everyday life to join in and meet new people.

I want them to be engaged and to enjoy things so that’s what I plan to do. I want it confidence based, it’s not about being the best at football, it’s to use the social skills as a tool to help them. I’ve coached anxious kids, kids with anxiety problems and the sessions have been able to help them through that and to give them more confidence. 

When did Blossom Skills start and when did you first get the word out?

Around a month and a half ago, maybe just a month. I like the name because blossom means developing and skills are skills that aren’t just about being the best of footballers. I wanted this to be different, not just about being the best as it’s not necessarily about that. My first sessions went really well, I’ve had loads wanting to be coached and it’s helped my confidence as I’ve seen their confidence improve also. Seeing people with a smile on their face is only going to do the world of good.

Has anyone been in touch or has anyone been a major help in starting this project from the football world that people may know of?

Not really, I’ve had a lot of support from players who I used to play with who are coaching in the football world now. They’re happy to see what I’m doing because they know that it’s just about the enjoyment and that’s been a big part of this for me. So, yeah, I’ve had support. I know there’s always people to lean on but it’s something that I’m using to develop myself as well. 

If you could give three words to describe your own coaching style, whether you are coaching a class or a one on one session, what would those words be?

Enthusiastic, I think that’s the most important thing as I think that if you’re trying to make someone be engaged and to improve then you’ve got to make sure to love what your coaching and make your sessions stand out. Another would be, I don’t know the words, just making them feel comfortable as if they make a mistake it doesn’t matter. If they make a mistake, so what? Let’s make another. 

Encouraging, caring and enthusiastic?

That’s it! They’d be my three words.

If anyone is hearing about Blossom Skills for the first time through this interview and would like to hear more and get in touch with you about taking their kids to a session. How could they go about doing this?

Contact me via twitter. My account is ‘Blossom Skills’ and my own personal account ‘Alex Hay’. We’re on Instagram and Facebook as well. Hopefully, it’s not too difficult to find out there.

Thank you for your time Alex, I hope all goes well with this as I love your idea.

No worries!

‘Meeting the opposition’ – Grimsby Town F.C

I spoke to my good friend, Aaron Rattray, ahead of Wednesday night’s League Two encounter at Blundell Park. He goes into detail about his personal stories as a fan, the manager who wasn’t appointed too long ago and new recruit Stefan Payne amongst other subjects.

How long have you been a Grimsby supporter and how did you first come across the club?

I’ve supported them since I was 2 or 3, my parents are lifelong fans so you could say it runs in the family unfortunately!

What are the moments that stand out during your time as a Mariners fan? (Highs and lows)

In my lifetime we have not had much success! However, winning the 2016 National league play off final at Wembley Stadium against Forest Green Rovers is the highlight so far and the low lights was the relegation to the national league in 2009/10 season, in 6 seasons we had fallen from the championship to non league and we look to be returning to non league again.

Random fact about either the club or the area?

Blundell Park is the lowest ground above sea level at just 2 metres.

What were your expectations going into the season and what are your thoughts and feelings now the campaign’s drawing to a close?

This season has been a disaster, the board and Ian Holloway planned terribly for the season and assembled a cheap below par squad as the board held the opinion that the season would be null and void so my expectations is just to finish 22nd and stay up. However, I am certain we will get relegated.

Paul Hurst returned to the managerial hot seat following the sacking of Ian Holloway, thoughts on him?

Paul Hurst inherited a truly embarrassingly poor squad from Holloway which was certain to get relegated, Hurst himself in January made 11 signings which tells you it all about the squad Holloway put together. Regardless though Hurst has done terribly, he inherited a dreadful squad but we need to remember he was appointed to keep us up and would he have took the job if he felt he could not do that? His 11 signings on paper mostly seem better than what we had but that is not transferring at all onto the pitch, in Hurst’s 12 games so far we have 1 win 2 draws and 9 defeats which is disgraceful regardless of the circumstances. I am not saying Hurst is totally to blame, as Holloway and the board got us in the mess in the first place but Hurst was appointed to get us out of it in which he has not done so he needs to take his share of the blame.

Who are the club’s owners and what are your thoughts on them?

John Fenty is our majority shareholder and you will honestly struggle to find a fan who likes him after 18 years of mismanagement and doing absolutely everything on the cheap to the disadvantage of the club. We were in the championship when he purchased the club, now look at us… (there are hundreds of examples I could give)- thankfully a takeover is in process, a consortium of Tom Shutes, Andrew Pettit and Jason Stockwood has agreed to buy the club and are just awaiting EFL approval and maybe relegation will be good for us, a fresh start from top to bottom, fresh start in the boardroom and a fresh start on the pitch with a brand new team.

Players that should cause the Rovers defensive line a few problems?

We do not have many, but I would say Julien Lamy, he’s a skilful winger and the only player we have who is capable of beating his man and getting balls into the box. For some reason he always seems to be subbed first by Hurst which is baffling.

How do you see the game panning out? (Score prediction etc)

Unfortunately, I see a Tranmere victory 2-0, I think you will be the better team without doubt and every game is must win for us but I don’t see it.

In the league encounter at Prenton Park between the two clubs, Tranmere won 5-0. This sunk further doubts to the quality that Ian Holloway possessed as a manager and he raged in a meeting with the press after the full time whistle. Keith Hill was also appointed that day. Thoughts on Grimsby’s performance in that defeat and Tranmere’s appointment of Hill?

It was a terrible performance.

Holloway after the game was really rude and aggressive to the journalist who was asking the questions and Holloway tried to insinuate that the journalist was to blame for the defeat, I don’t know how! And you could say it was frustration and he didn’t mean it but In every interview after that regardless if it was pre match or  post match regardless who the journalist was asking the questions he was very rude and aggressive to them and at one stage it was actually bordering onto bullying rather than just being aggressive. The journalists were just doing their jobs in asking questions and Holloway was out of order in his approach to them as they don’t deserve to be shouted at and on occasions being bullied for just doing their job.

Keith Hill was always going to instill some know-how and fluidity into Tranmere, he is a proven astute manager who always did a good job at Rochdale with a limited budget.

What eleven and formation do you think Paul Hurst will opt to go with?

I expect 4-4-2 so from right to left, Mckeown, Hendrie, Hewitt, Menayese, left back I can’t name as it depends who is fit, Morais, Coke, Matete, Lamy, John Lewis and Hanson.

Thoughts on Tranmere? The club as a whole.

They’re certainly an established club who are playing below their actual level, and a good fan base with some real decent lads such as yourself! (even if I do say so myself 🙂)

Thoughts on the January transfer window recruits?

On paper we’re certainly better than what we have but are not gelling on the pitch at all.

One of these recruits was Rovers forward Stefan Payne, thoughts on him?

Stefan is a waste, he scored on his debut off the bench but since then he visibly looks as so he does not really care and he does not seem afraid of showing that when he is playing, most disappointing.

‘Stefan’s been a waste, he scored on his debut after he was put onto the pitch as a sub but it looks like he’s not cared since’.

Football’s biggest talking points from the last week.

The past week has seen so much happen in the ‘beautiful’ game, we’ve had a club legend lose his status as manager .. possibly even at more clubs than one. We’ve had a round of European football where Ronaldo’s and Messi’s side failed to progress into the next round of the Champions League but was replaced by Haaland’s and Mbappe’s. Two Papa John’s Trophy Finals were played and someone lost their job due to a poor performance whereas the other losers left the pitch feeling proud and the North London Derby which caused a little bit of a stir.

On Monday, Derek McIness departed Pittodrie with Aberdeen placed 4th in the Scottish Premiership table after one win in their last five games. The Paisley-born gaffer has been doing his role at Pittodrie since 2013, following spells at St Johnstone and Bristol City. In the time that he has been at the club, the only honour he has earned was the Scottish League Cup in 2014. The Dons will be hoping to add to their trophy room sooner rather than later. Elsewhere, David Moyes’ team beat Marcelo Bielsa’s comfortably at the London Stadium on the same night that Everton lost 2-0 at Stamford Bridge.

Tuesday saw the start of this week’s European games. Four Champions League ties across two days followed by a round of the Europa League. Juventus were knocked out by Porto, on away goals, at the Italian Allianz Stadium as Haaland shined on foreign shores against Seville scoring a brace to send BVB through to the quarters. 

The following day another footballing great was knocked out of the superior competition, Lionel Messi and FC Barcelona themselves. It was PSG that beat them, due to a 4-1 hammering in the first leg, as Mbappe and Messi were on the scoresheet at Le Parc des Princes.

So, are we experiencing a change of the guard as Haaland and Mbappe show what they’re all about .. the Frenchman has been well known about since before the Russian 2018 World Cup and the veteran duo failed to reach the UCL quarters for the first time in 16 years.

On the final day of the week’s European football, Dean Henderson made a major mistake in net for Manchester United when he blundered a header from Simon Kjaer in the dying stages of a relatively drab game at Old Trafford. Amad Diallo was another name on the scoresheet, proving his talent when his head met the long glorious ball that was fed to him by Bruno Fernandes but the youngster had a lot of work to do himself from this position in the box. Henderson’s mistake sparked debate as it has been known for some time now that there is a debate of it is time to replace David De Gea in net, with the Spaniard on paternity leave at this present time. My opinion? I’d have Henderson in net as he’ll only improve and any mistakes he has made recently don’t even compare to the mistakes that DeGea made when he first came to the Premier League.

Friday saw Villa dropping points late on at St James Park, not much to say about that one other than Dean Smith’s side probably should’ve won as they doubled their counterparts shots on target. On this day though, there were strong rumours that Sheffield United legend Chris Wilder was on his way out of Bramall Lane.

The rumours were confirmed by an official statement on Saturday, sparking great debate as Wilder has been influential to the club in recent years taking the Blades from League One to the Premier League in the space of three years. United fans took to social media to state ‘I’ve had a look at the next possible candidates to become the new manager. The best candidate? Chris Wilder’ before slating the knowledge of the game that the club’s chairmen and owners had.  

Elsewhere Salford beat Portsmouth on penalties in the Papa Johns Trophy final, which should’ve been played last season. However, they dominated throughout the course of the game and with Pompey fans already wanting Kenny Jackett out of the club this feeling grew stronger. He must’ve known that pressure was on him, the experienced gaffer making three subs at half time and none of the plans he had for these on-pitch replacements came to fruition.

On Sunday, a league one side did manage to beat their league two opponents in another Papa Johns Trophy final at Wembley. Sunderland beat Tranmere 1-0. Normally, after a play off final defeat there is a great feeling of disappointment and frustration. The overwhelming feeling was one of pride though, some people saying that it was the best of performances in their 40 years of supporting the Whites. Keith Hill’s men pretty much dominated throughout without scoring as the Stadium of Light outfit capitalised on a lapse of concentration. 

Leicester shamed Sheffield United 5-0, as Kelechi Iheanacho bagged a hat trick and gave an emotional post match interview in which he thanked all mothers around the world for caring deeply about their children .. Kelechi’s mother passed away when he was 14, adding another depth of emotion to the words he said.

Arsenal won the North London Derby but it was Lamela’s rabona goal and sending off that stole the major talking points from that one as Aubameyeng was left out due to ‘disciplinary issues’ for the hosts. Jose Mourinho will start to look all around him, stating pre-match that he didn’t look at Arsenal as they are below Spurs in the league table and he only looks up not down.

Portsmouth did eventually sack Jackett, it was about time that happened really as fans expressed their feelings of delight in the comment sections beneath everywhere that the club statement could be found.

Possible moment of the week that I haven’t mentioned?

Kevin Ellison’s celebration in front of Derek Adams as Newport County beat Morecambe 3-1 with Ellison’s goal being the third. In recent times, Adams has treated the forward unfairly as he had spent just under ten years at the club and then when the manager came in he froze the player out due to concerns about his age. Apparently, he wasn’t allowed to train etc. It is nice to see that the former Tranmere bagsman has been able to overcome this dark period of his career to come back stronger and turn the feelings of anger onto the manager himself as he had to travel home with major social media criticism and a league defeat in the back of his mind.

42-year-old Kevin Ellison celebrates in front of Derek Adams, does age really matter in football?.

Sunderland – Predicted team and opinions from two Black Cats supporters.

For my ‘meeting the opposition’ I have recently started to ask supporters of the opposing team just how they could see their starting eleven selected an hour before kick off looking like. This is an important part of my write ups now as it gives us all a chance to search and gain some vital knowledge of players that we may come up against, not many of us know a lot of football league players given how the media likes to document the upper echelons of football instead. On top of this, I’ve also asked them to give their opinion on the players that they’ve predicted will start. It’s always interesting to see the weak points of a side .. What players are worth attacking for them to crumble under the pressure? What players will pose a great threat to our team? In my opinion, this is interesting. 

Sunderland’s predicted starting eleven – Team given by @michael_dunne_2 and @SAFCLJ2 provided his opinion.

Lee Burge. He’s a very solid keeper. He has made a few mistakes but he’s now our best shot stopper and hasn’t put a foot wrong recently. Your forwards are going to have to do well to get past him.

Luke O’Nien. In my opinion, he’s amazing at everything. He’s literally the first ever player, or one of the very few, who can play anywhere. Loves the club to bits and always puts 100% into every game. Certain starter.

Ollie Younger. He’s been solid.

Tom Flanagan. He’s class on the left side of a back three, can look amazing one day but has the tendency to look really poor the next. Let’s hope Sunday is one of his finer days, it needs to be, he needs to excel against a good Tranmere side.

Callum Mcfadzean. Class when used as a left wing back. Made us lose loads of points this campaign but against Portsmouth he was class so I’d start him.

Max Power. Type of leader that we haven’t had in ages. He’s amazing in midfield and in the right back position, playing against Tranmere on the weekend will be a great occasion for him considering he came through Rover’s youth ranks.

Josh Scowen. Very frustrating because we know he has it in him but makes some mistakes, he’ll most probably start though.

Lynden Gooch. Thinks he’s Messi sometimes and tries to take everyone on but he has good pace and he’s one of those that are loyal to the club and the manager’s style of play.

Jordan Jones. He’s amazing, loads of pace and a great team player.

Aiden Mcgeady. He’s dangerous, it wasn’t too long ago he was in the Premier League with Everton so he has great quality at this level despite the fact he’s getting older.

Charlie Wyke Where do I start? His breakthrough season, when he first joined us he was dreadful but he finally found a manager that plays at his level and he’s been so good. 26 goals this campaign in all competitions. 

‘Luke O’Nien, in my opinion he’s amazing at everything and can play all over the pitch’

I’d like to thank both supporters for taking part in this write up by wishing them the best for the season, other than the final on Sunday as the North East outfit search for promotion to the Championship. It should be an interesting Trophy final, you can watch it on Sky Sports at 3pm this Sunday.

Ethan Hoijord 

Matchdays, I miss them.

I’ve been thinking recently of what going back to football means and how great it will be when Prenton Park can be packed with loyal Tranmere fans all searching for the same thing, joy beyond despair. 

It’s now been a year, it reached that milestone in midweek, since an away end was full of Rovers fans without restrictions. You’d have to go even further for that to have been the case for a home game. 

Blackpool away that was, which came after trips to Accrington and Shrewsbury, the travelling fans from Merseyside had a lot to celebrate and I’d be lying if I said that COVID-19 was the biggest worry on anyone’s mind. When your team is defending a 2-1 lead for half an hour, it’s hard to think of a virus which seems to be only affecting poor areas of Asia. If I’m being honest I thought that England was going to be the exception of this pandemic, I thought that we were in the modern age now and there was no way that something like that could possibly affect us to a great extent. It seemed that the players shared my belief also, it was rumoured and I don’t know if this was government advice that handshakes were going to be allowed. I mean, if I remember correctly players weren’t allowed. However, there they were shaking others hands following the blow of a whistle.  

I was wrong with my guess of how much the virus would shape our lives, I’d like to send my condolences to anyone who has been affected. We all have been in some shape or form. 

Another section of people who were wrong, was Tranmere fans in general. Everyone, well 99% of us, thought we would stay up in League One following a successful transfer window which saw James Vaughan and Alex Woodyard come in on loan. Vaughan and Ferrier seemed to be the perfect mix of pace, strength and great finishing. It seemed to be a striking partnership that would keep us in the league and stop any chance of great work to get to that division go to waste, a partnership great on the pitch but not great enough off it for the  leagues to be concluded and decided on PPG few months on from when a jubilant away end was packed with Rovers supporters in the North West. 

It’s mad to think that it’s been a year since that, a game that will certainly have been kept in the mind of anyone who was there to experience it. It was a night full of goosebumps and you’ll most probably get them again if you watch the match highlights. I’ve been at Prenton Park twice since the lockdown began. Bradford and Walsall at home, masks on for two defeats in the bitter cold away from anyone to talk to, we’ve all spent this campaign watching games behind screens and if the win ratio is anything to go by then that is most probably for the best. 

However, that’s not the case and football grounds will soon open. Hopefully for next season, 2021/22. Much to the excitement of anyone who has an affection for the club, or even those who just enjoy going to the games themselves. Up and down the country the social lives of football fans will soon improve, standing and talking to friends with a bovril and burger in hand. A packed kop to either hear or be in, a football team to watch that has kept us all going mad this season with many highs and lows. We’re in a promotion battle (4th in the table) and in a Trophy final this upcoming Sunday. Remember the massive defeats, on the road, to Crawley and Exeter? Remember the time we all tuned in to iFollow to watch Mike Jackson take charge? Those bad times are all memorable. However, looking forwards it’s time to be optimistic. For a better team and for a better personal social life, regardless of what the pandemic has left us bereft of. June 21st 2021 is a date to have saved and a date to look forward to, that’s in just over three months time and holds the day where restrictions should hopefully be lifted. 

Below are things that I miss most about football, in no particular order. I’ll also mention the subject topics that have sunk into the hearts and minds of anyone affected with the club over this horrible period of time.

• Celebrations. I won’t talk too much about this but type up ‘Tranmere’s twelfth man’ on YouTube and you just know what I will mean when I say that I miss being in the mix of this whilst singing Tequila or any other beautifully made up song .. ‘One night in gay Paris’ comes to mind.
• The food and drink. Regardless of how much we used to hate Willow Catering, I’d give anything to be in a stadium staring at one of them with Tranmere playing in front of me. I just probably wouldn’t go in for the bite.
• Meeting the people that you only ever do on a matchday. I used to see all of my school friends and closest mates when we used to travel the country and enter Prenton Park together. I miss that. It’s also hard to not see the elderly couple behind me, Pat and Jeff. We’d all talk about what was on our minds and although we’d have our disagreements from time to time, the laughs and hugging them when we’d score will always be on the forefront of my minds when I think about them. I hope they’re okay. We all have people that we think of in the ‘without match days we’d never have met, I’m glad we have’ category and we all can’t wait to meet them again.
• A different perspective to the beautiful game. When you’re watching Tranmere on a screen your left bereft of the things you’d most probably be looking out for whilst you’re at the game. What’s his off the ball work ethic like etc? A question that I normally always ask about forward Corey Blackett-Taylor, I won’t go into that much. I’ll be happy when I can watch more in person rather than placing my details into my laptop and phone. 
• Awaydays. Travelling the country with your friends. Drinking, eating, laughing, celebrating, talking and exploring a new part of the country you thought you never would. Thank god we don’t have to go to the likes of Braintree and Dover anymore, they were good days though looking back. Let’s hope we’re taking a league one side to the sword the next time hundreds and thousands of us make the descent.

• Mike Jackson. A great assistant manager but a step too far when he was made manager in the summer, it was painful watching the team under his stewardship but I wish him all the best going forwards as he’s always came across as a true gent whenever our paths have crossed and his work as assistant under Micky Mellon and his time as a battling centre half won’t be forgotten about.
• Ian Dawes and Andy Parkinson. Two men that have made the thought of promotion possible this campaign, what a month November was with these men pulling the strings.
• Keith Hill. I was Skeptical, just like everyone else was, at first but he’s shown his quality and Tranmere are in good hands with him in the dugout. The salt and pepper he originally spoke about has been added and if that means promotion and a trophy win then it will taste like the chicken you can get from the shop in Birkenhead town centre.
• The work the club does for the community and how the Rovers faithful gather around that to support our message of looking after the community at all times, in any way possible. 
• Papa John’s Trophy final. We’ve had to beat some strong opposition to get to this point, Oxford and Peterborough in particular but the game is here for us all to relish on Sunday. 
• Indonesian investors and their social media interactions with fans, I’ve even had the pleasure of talking to Simon on a few occasions.
• Idrissu Ismael. The club has gained a supporter from Accra, Ghana and he has certainly left a mark on us all recently. At first I thought that his account was fake, you see plenty of them and just why would someone that far away hold any affection towards the club? However due to social media platforms, accounts and newspapers such as the Wirral Globe getting in touch with him it’s now clear that he’s very much one of us from afar. A great man, a kind heart, great love for the team we all adore and a hope of reaching Merseyside one day. Supporters have even set up a fundraiser to get him over here.
• Nate’s journey with a horrible illness. Nate, a little boy who will be a virtual mascot at Wembley this weekend, has all been on our minds across the course of this season. He’s been suffering with a brain tumour and has had to keep a strong and cheerful smile on his face throughout. Everyone at Tranmere loves that little fella and he is a true testament to his father, who I’ve had the pleasure of talking to on a few occasions. 
• Search for promotion following a demotion.
• Twitter GC ‘TRFC OK’. Couldn’t finish this without mentioning my daily source of entertainment could I?.

Blackpool away. 10th March 2020. The last time an away end was packed with jubilant Tranmere fans. It shouldn’t be too long before we’re all together again experiencing the similar emotions as we search for joy beyond despair.

Thank you very much for reading,

Stay safe and optimistic because it could all be here before you know it,

Ethan Hoijord